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

Virginia Beach, VA vs Seattle, WA

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

Summary

Virginia Beach spends 23.4% more per capita than Seattle ($8,053/person difference). Seattle, WA has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (C, 61/100).

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
Seattle, WA
Pop. 734,603
C
61/100
Budget Balance69
Debt Burden50
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency22
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Virginia Beach
Seattle
Total Spending
$19.5B
$25.3B
Spending / Capita
$42,515
$34,463
Total Revenue
$14.6B
$56.5B
Revenue / Capita
$31,808
$76,958
Total Debt
$135.8M
$808.1M
Debt / Capita
$297
$1,100
Population
457,900
734,603
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Police
Virginia Beach$1,126
Seattle$0
Fire Protection
Virginia Beach$512
Seattle$210
Parks & Recreation
Virginia Beach$1,574
Seattle$3,923
Education
Virginia Beach$21,342
Seattle$1,461
Health
Virginia Beach$426
Seattle$1,131

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

Virginia BeachSeattle
Property Tax
$0
$1,831
Sales Tax
$673
$1,094
Income Tax
$831
$3,496
Intergovernmental
$31,808
$9,846
Charges & Fees
$1,462
$3,960
Other
$3,301
$8,544

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

Virginia BeachSeattle
Police
$1,126
$0
Fire Protection
$512
$210
Education
$21,342
$1,461
Public Welfare
$2,071
$3,439
Health
$426
$1,131
Hospitals
$1,036
$1,871
Parks & Recreation
$1,574
$3,923
Housing
$2,788
$3,727
Sewerage
$140
$952
Utilities
$3,523
$6,489
Other
$7,978
$11,260
D
Virginia Beach, VA
Fiscal Health Score: 47/100
Below average fiscal health
C
Seattle, WA
Fiscal Health Score: 61/100
Average fiscal health

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