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

Richmond, VA vs Norfolk, VA

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

Summary

Richmond spends 21.2% more per capita than Norfolk ($10,782/person difference). Norfolk, VA has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (D, 46/100).

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
Norfolk, VA
Pop. 236,973
D
46/100
Budget Balance62
Debt Burden0
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency0
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Richmond
Norfolk
Total Spending
$14.0B
$12.1B
Spending / Capita
$61,661
$50,880
Total Revenue
$17.5B
$17.4B
Revenue / Capita
$77,122
$73,324
Total Debt
$296.3M
$324.7M
Debt / Capita
$1,304
$1,370
Population
227,171
236,973
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Police
Richmond$2,108
Norfolk$1,718
Fire Protection
Richmond$921
Norfolk$832
Highways & Roads
Richmond$738
Norfolk$1,186
Parks & Recreation
Richmond$1,154
Norfolk$1,601
Education
Richmond$20,033
Norfolk$19,019
Health
Richmond$341
Norfolk$519

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

RichmondNorfolk
Property Tax
$0
$97
Sales Tax
$930
$1,289
Income Tax
$879
$896
Intergovernmental
$3,985
$4,946
Charges & Fees
$3,949
$4,679
Other
$7,690
$3,596

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

RichmondNorfolk
Police
$2,108
$1,718
Fire Protection
$921
$832
Highways & Roads
$738
$1,186
Education
$20,033
$19,019
Public Welfare
$1,535
$1,311
Health
$341
$519
Hospitals
$3,770
$5,390
Parks & Recreation
$1,154
$1,601
Housing
$5,951
$3,939
Sewerage
$17
$96
Utilities
$7,265
$5,495
Interest on Debt
$3,048
$0
Other
$14,781
$9,773
D
Richmond, VA
Fiscal Health Score: 45/100
Below average fiscal health
D
Norfolk, VA
Fiscal Health Score: 46/100
Below average fiscal health

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