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

Washington, DC vs Virginia Beach, VA

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

Summary

Washington spends 472.4% more per capita than Virginia Beach ($200,826/person difference). Virginia Beach, VA has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (D, 47/100).

Fiscal Health Score

City A
Washington, DC
Pop. 670,587
D
41/100
Budget Balance45
Debt Burden0
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency0
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50
City B
Virginia Beach, VA
Pop. 457,900
D
47/100
Budget Balance28
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency0
Revenue Diversity0
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Washington
Virginia Beach
Total Spending
$163.2B
$19.5B
Spending / Capita
$243,341
$42,515
Total Revenue
$186.2B
$14.6B
Revenue / Capita
$277,701
$31,808
Total Debt
$1.7B
$135.8M
Debt / Capita
$2,516
$297
Population
670,587
457,900
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Police
Washington$4,183
Virginia Beach$1,126
Fire Protection
Washington$4,262
Virginia Beach$512
Highways & Roads
Washington$1,435
Virginia Beach$0
Parks & Recreation
Washington$5,459
Virginia Beach$1,574
Education
Washington$53,224
Virginia Beach$21,342
Health
Washington$1,009
Virginia Beach$426

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

WashingtonVirginia Beach
Property Tax
$25
$0
Sales Tax
$991
$673
Income Tax
$141
$831
Intergovernmental
$18,754
$31,808
Charges & Fees
$4,070
$1,462
Other
$11,518
$3,301

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

WashingtonVirginia Beach
Police
$4,183
$1,126
Fire Protection
$4,262
$512
Highways & Roads
$1,435
$0
Education
$53,224
$21,342
Public Welfare
$2,498
$2,071
Health
$1,009
$426
Hospitals
$17,668
$1,036
Parks & Recreation
$5,459
$1,574
Housing
$10,296
$2,788
Sewerage
$2,881
$140
Utilities
$88,990
$3,523
Interest on Debt
$58
$0
General Admin
$3,225
$0
Other
$48,155
$7,978
D
Washington, DC
Fiscal Health Score: 41/100
Below average fiscal health
D
Virginia Beach, VA
Fiscal Health Score: 47/100
Below average fiscal health

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