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Data from U.S. Census Bureau · 2026 · Methodology
CitySpend

Richmond, VA vs Arlington, VA

Side-by-side fiscal comparison · U.S. Census Bureau data (2023)

Summary

Arlington spends 10.9% more per capita than Richmond ($7,572/person difference). Arlington, VA has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (C, 58/100).

Fiscal Health Score

City A
Richmond, VA
Pop. 227,171
D
45/100
Budget Balance58
Debt Burden0
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency0
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50
City B
Arlington, VA
Pop. 235,845
C
58/100
Budget Balance39
Debt Burden90
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency0
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Richmond
Arlington
Total Spending
$14.0B
$16.3B
Spending / Capita
$61,661
$69,233
Total Revenue
$17.5B
$18.1B
Revenue / Capita
$77,122
$76,540
Total Debt
$296.3M
$117.7M
Debt / Capita
$1,304
$499
Population
227,171
235,845
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Police
Richmond$2,108
Arlington$2,158
Fire Protection
Richmond$921
Arlington$694
Highways & Roads
Richmond$738
Arlington$780
Parks & Recreation
Richmond$1,154
Arlington$2,793
Education
Richmond$20,033
Arlington$28,519
Health
Richmond$341
Arlington$851

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

RichmondArlington
Property Tax
$0
$27
Sales Tax
$930
$554
Income Tax
$879
$466
Intergovernmental
$3,985
$4,733
Charges & Fees
$3,949
$2,576
Other
$7,690
$5,381

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

RichmondArlington
Police
$2,108
$2,158
Fire Protection
$921
$694
Highways & Roads
$738
$780
Education
$20,033
$28,519
Public Welfare
$1,535
$3,283
Health
$341
$851
Hospitals
$3,770
$2,783
Parks & Recreation
$1,154
$2,793
Housing
$5,951
$4,402
Sewerage
$17
$57
Utilities
$7,265
$9,221
Interest on Debt
$3,048
$0
Other
$14,781
$13,692
D
Richmond, VA
Fiscal Health Score: 45/100
Below average fiscal health
C
Arlington, VA
Fiscal Health Score: 58/100
Average fiscal health

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