Richmond, VA vs Newport News, VA
Side-by-side fiscal comparison · U.S. Census Bureau data (2023)
Richmond, VA and Newport News, VA spend within 8.3% of each other per resident — $61,661 versus $56,948 — so on the headline spending-per-capita measure the two cities are effectively neck and neck.
Richmond, VA holds the stronger Fiscal Health Score, 45/100 (grade D) against 32/100 (grade F) for Newport News, VA — a 13-point spread that puts the two in different grade territory.
On debt, Richmond, VA carries the lighter load at $1,304 per resident versus $2,213 for Newport News, VA. Both cities pour the most per-resident dollars into the same function: education leads in Richmond, VA at $20,033 per resident and in Newport News, VA at $23,175.
They also fund themselves differently: other revenue is the largest single revenue source in Richmond, VA at 10% of total revenue, whereas Newport News, VA relies most on charges and fees at 17%.
Summary
Richmond spends 8.3% more per capita than Newport News ($4,713/person difference). Richmond, VA has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (D, 45/100).
Fiscal Health Score
Key Metrics
Per Capita Spending by Department
Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)
| Sales Tax | $930 | $382 |
| Income Tax | $879 | $820 |
| Intergovernmental | $3,985 | $899 |
| Charges & Fees | $3,949 | $5,701 |
| Other | $7,690 | $4,722 |
Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)
| Police | $2,108 | $1,848 |
| Fire Protection | $921 | $658 |
| Highways & Roads | $738 | $702 |
| Education | $20,033 | $23,175 |
| Public Welfare | $1,535 | $1,145 |
| Health | $341 | $377 |
| Hospitals | $3,770 | $2,755 |
| Parks & Recreation | $1,154 | $2,102 |
| Housing | $5,951 | $4,827 |
| Sewerage | $17 | $219 |
| Utilities | $7,265 | $7,332 |
| Interest on Debt | $3,048 | $0 |
| Other | $14,781 | $11,810 |
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Source: Census Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances, 2026.