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

Roanoke, VA vs Richmond, VA

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

Summary

Richmond spends 37.5% 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
Roanoke, VA
Pop. 99,213
C
59/100
Budget Balance37
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency0
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50
City B
Richmond, VA
Pop. 227,171
D
45/100
Budget Balance58
Debt Burden0
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency0
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

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

Per Capita Spending by Department

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

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

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

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

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

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