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

Virginia Beach, VA vs San Diego, CA

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

Summary

San Diego spends 1.8% more per capita than Virginia Beach ($791/person difference). San Diego, CA has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (C, 53/100).

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
San Diego, CA
Pop. 1,383,987
C
53/100
Budget Balance14
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency0
Revenue Diversity96
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Virginia Beach
San Diego
Total Spending
$19.5B
$59.9B
Spending / Capita
$42,515
$43,306
Total Revenue
$14.6B
$13.4B
Revenue / Capita
$31,808
$9,662
Total Debt
$135.8M
$0
Debt / Capita
$297
$0
Population
457,900
1,383,987
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Police
Virginia Beach$1,126
San Diego$3,335
Fire Protection
Virginia Beach$512
San Diego$1,278
Highways & Roads
Virginia Beach$0
San Diego$1,408
Parks & Recreation
Virginia Beach$1,574
San Diego$436
Education
Virginia Beach$21,342
San Diego$2,005
Health
Virginia Beach$426
San Diego$411

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

Virginia BeachSan Diego
Property Tax
$0
$124
Sales Tax
$673
$63
Income Tax
$831
$194
Intergovernmental
$31,808
$57
Charges & Fees
$1,462
$14
Other
$3,301
$3,801

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

Virginia BeachSan Diego
Police
$1,126
$3,335
Fire Protection
$512
$1,278
Highways & Roads
$0
$1,408
Education
$21,342
$2,005
Public Welfare
$2,071
$700
Health
$426
$411
Hospitals
$1,036
$0
Parks & Recreation
$1,574
$436
Housing
$2,788
$4,476
Sewerage
$140
$43
Utilities
$3,523
$11,704
Other
$7,978
$17,509
D
Virginia Beach, VA
Fiscal Health Score: 47/100
Below average fiscal health
C
San Diego, CA
Fiscal Health Score: 53/100
Average fiscal health

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