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

Richmond, VA vs Roanoke, VA

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

Summary

Richmond spends 60.1% more per capita than Roanoke ($23,148/person difference). Roanoke, VA has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (C, 59/100).

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
Roanoke, VA
Pop. 99,213
C
59/100
Budget Balance37
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency0
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Richmond
Roanoke
Total Spending
$14.0B
$3.8B
Spending / Capita
$61,661
$38,513
Total Revenue
$17.5B
$1.8B
Revenue / Capita
$77,122
$18,241
Total Debt
$296.3M
$722K
Debt / Capita
$1,304
$7
Population
227,171
99,213
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Police
Richmond$2,108
Roanoke$1,543
Fire Protection
Richmond$921
Roanoke$235
Highways & Roads
Richmond$738
Roanoke$1,357
Parks & Recreation
Richmond$1,154
Roanoke$950
Education
Richmond$20,033
Roanoke$18,609
Health
Richmond$341
Roanoke$573

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

RichmondRoanoke
Sales Tax
$930
$472
Income Tax
$879
$386
Intergovernmental
$3,985
$1,358
Charges & Fees
$3,949
$0
Other
$7,690
$2,424

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

RichmondRoanoke
Police
$2,108
$1,543
Fire Protection
$921
$235
Highways & Roads
$738
$1,357
Education
$20,033
$18,609
Public Welfare
$1,535
$0
Health
$341
$573
Hospitals
$3,770
$511
Parks & Recreation
$1,154
$950
Housing
$5,951
$2,054
Sewerage
$17
$112
Utilities
$7,265
$3,633
Interest on Debt
$3,048
$0
Other
$14,781
$8,936
D
Richmond, VA
Fiscal Health Score: 45/100
Below average fiscal health
C
Roanoke, VA
Fiscal Health Score: 59/100
Average fiscal health

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