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

Virginia Beach, VA vs Boston, MA

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

Summary

Boston spends 41.2% more per capita than Virginia Beach ($29,784/person difference). Boston, MA has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (C, 56/100).

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
Boston, MA
Pop. 665,945
C
56/100
Budget Balance25
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency0
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Virginia Beach
Boston
Total Spending
$19.5B
$48.1B
Spending / Capita
$42,515
$72,299
Total Revenue
$14.6B
$20.8B
Revenue / Capita
$31,808
$31,243
Total Debt
$135.8M
$296.3M
Debt / Capita
$297
$445
Population
457,900
665,945
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Police
Virginia Beach$1,126
Boston$0
Fire Protection
Virginia Beach$512
Boston$1,107
Highways & Roads
Virginia Beach$0
Boston$594
Parks & Recreation
Virginia Beach$1,574
Boston$711
Education
Virginia Beach$21,342
Boston$30,742
Health
Virginia Beach$426
Boston$725

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

Virginia BeachBoston
Sales Tax
$673
$78
Income Tax
$831
$0
Intergovernmental
$31,808
$5,357
Charges & Fees
$1,462
$2,784
Other
$3,301
$4,557

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

Virginia BeachBoston
Police
$1,126
$0
Fire Protection
$512
$1,107
Highways & Roads
$0
$594
Education
$21,342
$30,742
Public Welfare
$2,071
$1,110
Health
$426
$725
Hospitals
$1,036
$2,584
Parks & Recreation
$1,574
$711
Housing
$2,788
$6,614
Sewerage
$140
$355
Utilities
$3,523
$3,402
General Admin
$0
$5,401
Other
$7,978
$18,955
D
Virginia Beach, VA
Fiscal Health Score: 47/100
Below average fiscal health
C
Boston, MA
Fiscal Health Score: 56/100
Average fiscal health

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