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

Virginia Beach, VA vs Atlanta, GA

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

Summary

Virginia Beach spends 67.0% more per capita than Atlanta ($17,058/person difference). Atlanta, GA has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (A, 85/100).

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
Atlanta, GA
Pop. 494,838
A
85/100
Budget Balance100
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency64
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Virginia Beach
Atlanta
Total Spending
$19.5B
$12.6B
Spending / Capita
$42,515
$25,457
Total Revenue
$14.6B
$77.6B
Revenue / Capita
$31,808
$156,803
Total Debt
$135.8M
$0
Debt / Capita
$297
$0
Population
457,900
494,838
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Police
Virginia Beach$1,126
Atlanta$315
Fire Protection
Virginia Beach$512
Atlanta$464
Highways & Roads
Virginia Beach$0
Atlanta$513
Parks & Recreation
Virginia Beach$1,574
Atlanta$1,274
Education
Virginia Beach$21,342
Atlanta$25
Health
Virginia Beach$426
Atlanta$0

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

Virginia BeachAtlanta
Property Tax
$0
$419
Sales Tax
$673
$0
Income Tax
$831
$1,292
Intergovernmental
$31,808
$9,121
Charges & Fees
$1,462
$5,645
Other
$3,301
$5,461

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

Virginia BeachAtlanta
Police
$1,126
$315
Fire Protection
$512
$464
Highways & Roads
$0
$513
Education
$21,342
$25
Public Welfare
$2,071
$1,587
Health
$426
$0
Hospitals
$1,036
$55
Parks & Recreation
$1,574
$1,274
Housing
$2,788
$4,594
Sewerage
$140
$343
Utilities
$3,523
$8,026
Other
$7,978
$8,262
D
Virginia Beach, VA
Fiscal Health Score: 47/100
Below average fiscal health
A
Atlanta, GA
Fiscal Health Score: 85/100
Excellent fiscal health

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