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

Caldwell, ID vs Meridian, ID

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

Summary

Caldwell spends 41.3% more per capita than Meridian ($2,948/person difference). Caldwell, ID has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (C, 55/100).

Fiscal Health Score

City A
Caldwell, ID
Pop. 61,212
C
55/100
Budget Balance0
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency100
Revenue Diversity0
Trend Direction50
City B
Meridian, ID
Pop. 119,872
C
54/100
Budget Balance0
Debt Burden96
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency100
Revenue Diversity0
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Caldwell
Meridian
Total Spending
$617.2M
$855.2M
Spending / Capita
$10,082
$7,134
Total Revenue
$0
$512K
Revenue / Capita
$0
$4
Total Debt
$7.1M
$53.9M
Debt / Capita
$116
$449
Population
61,212
119,872
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Fire Protection
Caldwell$68
Meridian$115
Highways & Roads
Caldwell$62
Meridian$0
Parks & Recreation
Caldwell$590
Meridian$745
Education
Caldwell$43
Meridian$0
Health
Caldwell$206
Meridian$0

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

CaldwellMeridian
Property Tax
$390
$0
Sales Tax
$291
$418
Income Tax
$965
$102
Intergovernmental
$0
$4
Charges & Fees
$1,467
$905
Other
$2,417
$1,770

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

CaldwellMeridian
Fire Protection
$68
$115
Highways & Roads
$62
$0
Education
$43
$0
Public Welfare
$1,569
$0
Health
$206
$0
Hospitals
$351
$840
Parks & Recreation
$590
$745
Housing
$1,866
$2,058
Sewerage
$213
$551
Utilities
$2,255
$972
Other
$2,860
$1,852
C
Caldwell, ID
Fiscal Health Score: 55/100
Average fiscal health
C
Meridian, ID
Fiscal Health Score: 54/100
Average fiscal health

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