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

Roanoke, VA vs Newport News, VA

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

Summary

Newport News spends 32.4% more per capita than Roanoke ($18,435/person difference). Roanoke, VA has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (C, 59/100).

Fiscal Health Score

City A
Roanoke, VA
Pop. 99,213
C
59/100
Budget Balance37
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency0
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50
City B
Newport News, VA
Pop. 185,118
F
32/100
Budget Balance7
Debt Burden0
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency0
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Roanoke
Newport News
Total Spending
$3.8B
$10.5B
Spending / Capita
$38,513
$56,948
Total Revenue
$1.8B
$6.2B
Revenue / Capita
$18,241
$33,516
Total Debt
$722K
$409.7M
Debt / Capita
$7
$2,213
Population
99,213
185,118
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Police
Roanoke$1,543
Newport News$1,848
Fire Protection
Roanoke$235
Newport News$658
Highways & Roads
Roanoke$1,357
Newport News$702
Parks & Recreation
Roanoke$950
Newport News$2,102
Education
Roanoke$18,609
Newport News$23,175
Health
Roanoke$573
Newport News$377

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

RoanokeNewport News
Sales Tax
$472
$382
Income Tax
$386
$820
Intergovernmental
$1,358
$899
Charges & Fees
$0
$5,701
Other
$2,424
$4,722

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

RoanokeNewport News
Police
$1,543
$1,848
Fire Protection
$235
$658
Highways & Roads
$1,357
$702
Education
$18,609
$23,175
Public Welfare
$0
$1,145
Health
$573
$377
Hospitals
$511
$2,755
Parks & Recreation
$950
$2,102
Housing
$2,054
$4,827
Sewerage
$112
$219
Utilities
$3,633
$7,332
Other
$8,936
$11,810
C
Roanoke, VA
Fiscal Health Score: 59/100
Average fiscal health
F
Newport News, VA
Fiscal Health Score: 32/100
Critical fiscal distress

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