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

Virginia Beach, VA vs Columbus, OH

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

Summary

Virginia Beach spends 125.4% more per capita than Columbus ($23,657/person difference). Columbus, OH has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (C, 52/100).

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
Columbus, OH
Pop. 902,449
C
52/100
Budget Balance32
Debt Burden46
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency94
Revenue Diversity0
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Virginia Beach
Columbus
Total Spending
$19.5B
$17.0B
Spending / Capita
$42,515
$18,858
Total Revenue
$14.6B
$0
Revenue / Capita
$31,808
$0
Total Debt
$135.8M
$1.0B
Debt / Capita
$297
$1,145
Population
457,900
902,449
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Police
Virginia Beach$1,126
Columbus$0
Fire Protection
Virginia Beach$512
Columbus$1,016
Highways & Roads
Virginia Beach$0
Columbus$224
Parks & Recreation
Virginia Beach$1,574
Columbus$2,168
Education
Virginia Beach$21,342
Columbus$0
Health
Virginia Beach$426
Columbus$0

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

Virginia BeachColumbus
Property Tax
$0
$10
Sales Tax
$673
$234
Income Tax
$831
$1
Intergovernmental
$31,808
$0
Charges & Fees
$1,462
$2,389
Other
$3,301
$5,248

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

Virginia BeachColumbus
Police
$1,126
$0
Fire Protection
$512
$1,016
Highways & Roads
$0
$224
Education
$21,342
$0
Public Welfare
$2,071
$878
Health
$426
$0
Hospitals
$1,036
$953
Parks & Recreation
$1,574
$2,168
Housing
$2,788
$4,303
Sewerage
$140
$1
Utilities
$3,523
$1,719
Other
$7,978
$7,595
D
Virginia Beach, VA
Fiscal Health Score: 47/100
Below average fiscal health
C
Columbus, OH
Fiscal Health Score: 52/100
Average fiscal health

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