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

Roanoke, VA vs Norfolk, VA

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

Summary

Norfolk spends 24.3% more per capita than Roanoke ($12,366/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
Norfolk, VA
Pop. 236,973
D
46/100
Budget Balance62
Debt Burden0
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency0
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Roanoke
Norfolk
Total Spending
$3.8B
$12.1B
Spending / Capita
$38,513
$50,880
Total Revenue
$1.8B
$17.4B
Revenue / Capita
$18,241
$73,324
Total Debt
$722K
$324.7M
Debt / Capita
$7
$1,370
Population
99,213
236,973
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Police
Roanoke$1,543
Norfolk$1,718
Fire Protection
Roanoke$235
Norfolk$832
Highways & Roads
Roanoke$1,357
Norfolk$1,186
Parks & Recreation
Roanoke$950
Norfolk$1,601
Education
Roanoke$18,609
Norfolk$19,019
Health
Roanoke$573
Norfolk$519

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

RoanokeNorfolk
Property Tax
$0
$97
Sales Tax
$472
$1,289
Income Tax
$386
$896
Intergovernmental
$1,358
$4,946
Charges & Fees
$0
$4,679
Other
$2,424
$3,596

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

RoanokeNorfolk
Police
$1,543
$1,718
Fire Protection
$235
$832
Highways & Roads
$1,357
$1,186
Education
$18,609
$19,019
Public Welfare
$0
$1,311
Health
$573
$519
Hospitals
$511
$5,390
Parks & Recreation
$950
$1,601
Housing
$2,054
$3,939
Sewerage
$112
$96
Utilities
$3,633
$5,495
Other
$8,936
$9,773
C
Roanoke, VA
Fiscal Health Score: 59/100
Average fiscal health
D
Norfolk, VA
Fiscal Health Score: 46/100
Below average fiscal health

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