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

Carmel, IN vs Gary, IN

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

Summary

Gary spends 24.9% more per capita than Carmel ($5,436/person difference). Gary, IN has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (B, 71/100).

Fiscal Health Score

City A
Carmel, IN
Pop. 99,453
C
56/100
Budget Balance100
Debt Burden0
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency74
Revenue Diversity0
Trend Direction50
City B
Gary, IN
Pop. 69,136
B
71/100
Budget Balance100
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency39
Revenue Diversity0
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Carmel
Gary
Total Spending
$1.6B
$1.5B
Spending / Capita
$16,389
$21,825
Total Revenue
$9.0B
$2.1B
Revenue / Capita
$90,764
$30,129
Total Debt
$84.1M
$0
Debt / Capita
$846
$0
Population
99,453
69,136
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Fire Protection
Carmel$166
Gary$231
Highways & Roads
Carmel$354
Gary$210
Parks & Recreation
Carmel$1,484
Gary$358

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

CarmelGary
Sales Tax
$1,264
$46
Income Tax
$0
$64
Intergovernmental
$90,764
$30,129
Charges & Fees
$5,500
$0
Other
$2,404
$10,510

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

CarmelGary
Fire Protection
$166
$231
Highways & Roads
$354
$210
Public Welfare
$1,885
$886
Hospitals
$1,121
$721
Parks & Recreation
$1,484
$358
Housing
$2,696
$2,936
Utilities
$1,251
$113
Interest on Debt
$0
$846
Other
$7,432
$15,525
C
Carmel, IN
Fiscal Health Score: 56/100
Average fiscal health
B
Gary, IN
Fiscal Health Score: 71/100
Good fiscal health

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