Richmond, VA vs Alexandria, VA
Side-by-side fiscal comparison · U.S. Census Bureau data (2023)
Richmond, VA and Alexandria, VA spend within 6.3% of each other per resident — $61,661 versus $57,994 — so on the headline spending-per-capita measure the two cities are effectively neck and neck.
Alexandria, VA holds the stronger Fiscal Health Score, 53/100 (grade C) against 45/100 (grade D) for Richmond, VA — a 8-point spread that puts the two in different grade territory.
Alexandria, VA reports no outstanding debt per resident in its Census filing, while Richmond, VA carries $1,304 per resident. Both cities pour the most per-resident dollars into the same function: education leads in Richmond, VA at $20,033 per resident and in Alexandria, VA at $22,295.
They also fund themselves differently: other revenue is the largest single revenue source in Richmond, VA at 10% of total revenue, whereas Alexandria, VA relies most on intergovernmental transfers at 120%.
Summary
Richmond spends 6.3% more per capita than Alexandria ($3,668/person difference). Alexandria, VA has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (C, 53/100).
Fiscal Health Score
Key Metrics
Per Capita Spending by Department
Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)
| Property Tax | $0 | $38 |
| Sales Tax | $930 | $729 |
| Income Tax | $879 | $603 |
| Intergovernmental | $3,985 | $15,384 |
| Charges & Fees | $3,949 | $0 |
| Other | $7,690 | $6,522 |
Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)
| Police | $2,108 | $1,312 |
| Fire Protection | $921 | $848 |
| Highways & Roads | $738 | $675 |
| Education | $20,033 | $22,295 |
| Public Welfare | $1,535 | $1,976 |
| Health | $341 | $541 |
| Hospitals | $3,770 | $3,274 |
| Parks & Recreation | $1,154 | $2,244 |
| Housing | $5,951 | $4,894 |
| Sewerage | $17 | $615 |
| Utilities | $7,265 | $4,795 |
| Interest on Debt | $3,048 | $1,752 |
| Other | $14,781 | $12,773 |
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Source: Census Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances, 2026.