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

Virginia Beach, VA vs Arlington, VA

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

Summary

Arlington spends 38.6% more per capita than Virginia Beach ($26,718/person difference). Arlington, VA has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (C, 58/100).

Fiscal Health Score

City A
Virginia Beach, VA
Pop. 457,900
D
47/100
Budget Balance28
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency0
Revenue Diversity0
Trend Direction50
City B
Arlington, VA
Pop. 235,845
C
58/100
Budget Balance39
Debt Burden90
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency0
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Virginia Beach
Arlington
Total Spending
$19.5B
$16.3B
Spending / Capita
$42,515
$69,233
Total Revenue
$14.6B
$18.1B
Revenue / Capita
$31,808
$76,540
Total Debt
$135.8M
$117.7M
Debt / Capita
$297
$499
Population
457,900
235,845
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Police
Virginia Beach$1,126
Arlington$2,158
Fire Protection
Virginia Beach$512
Arlington$694
Highways & Roads
Virginia Beach$0
Arlington$780
Parks & Recreation
Virginia Beach$1,574
Arlington$2,793
Education
Virginia Beach$21,342
Arlington$28,519
Health
Virginia Beach$426
Arlington$851

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

Virginia BeachArlington
Property Tax
$0
$27
Sales Tax
$673
$554
Income Tax
$831
$466
Intergovernmental
$31,808
$4,733
Charges & Fees
$1,462
$2,576
Other
$3,301
$5,381

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

Virginia BeachArlington
Police
$1,126
$2,158
Fire Protection
$512
$694
Highways & Roads
$0
$780
Education
$21,342
$28,519
Public Welfare
$2,071
$3,283
Health
$426
$851
Hospitals
$1,036
$2,783
Parks & Recreation
$1,574
$2,793
Housing
$2,788
$4,402
Sewerage
$140
$57
Utilities
$3,523
$9,221
Other
$7,978
$13,692
D
Virginia Beach, VA
Fiscal Health Score: 47/100
Below average fiscal health
C
Arlington, VA
Fiscal Health Score: 58/100
Average fiscal health

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