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

Virginia Beach, VA vs Roanoke, VA

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

Summary

Virginia Beach spends 10.4% more per capita than Roanoke ($4,002/person difference). Roanoke, VA has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (C, 59/100).

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
Roanoke, VA
Pop. 99,213
C
59/100
Budget Balance37
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency0
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Virginia Beach
Roanoke
Total Spending
$19.5B
$3.8B
Spending / Capita
$42,515
$38,513
Total Revenue
$14.6B
$1.8B
Revenue / Capita
$31,808
$18,241
Total Debt
$135.8M
$722K
Debt / Capita
$297
$7
Population
457,900
99,213
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Police
Virginia Beach$1,126
Roanoke$1,543
Fire Protection
Virginia Beach$512
Roanoke$235
Highways & Roads
Virginia Beach$0
Roanoke$1,357
Parks & Recreation
Virginia Beach$1,574
Roanoke$950
Education
Virginia Beach$21,342
Roanoke$18,609
Health
Virginia Beach$426
Roanoke$573

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

Virginia BeachRoanoke
Sales Tax
$673
$472
Income Tax
$831
$386
Intergovernmental
$31,808
$1,358
Charges & Fees
$1,462
$0
Other
$3,301
$2,424

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

Virginia BeachRoanoke
Police
$1,126
$1,543
Fire Protection
$512
$235
Highways & Roads
$0
$1,357
Education
$21,342
$18,609
Public Welfare
$2,071
$0
Health
$426
$573
Hospitals
$1,036
$511
Parks & Recreation
$1,574
$950
Housing
$2,788
$2,054
Sewerage
$140
$112
Utilities
$3,523
$3,633
Other
$7,978
$8,936
D
Virginia Beach, VA
Fiscal Health Score: 47/100
Below average fiscal health
C
Roanoke, VA
Fiscal Health Score: 59/100
Average fiscal health

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