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

Carmel, IN vs Lafayette, IN

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

Summary

Carmel spends 4.8% more per capita than Lafayette ($752/person difference). Lafayette, IN has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (B, 77/100).

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
Lafayette, IN
Pop. 70,828
B
77/100
Budget Balance100
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency79
Revenue Diversity0
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Carmel
Lafayette
Total Spending
$1.6B
$1.1B
Spending / Capita
$16,389
$15,637
Total Revenue
$9.0B
$2.6B
Revenue / Capita
$90,764
$36,145
Total Debt
$84.1M
$0
Debt / Capita
$846
$0
Population
99,453
70,828
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Fire Protection
Carmel$166
Lafayette$30
Highways & Roads
Carmel$354
Lafayette$0
Parks & Recreation
Carmel$1,484
Lafayette$930

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

CarmelLafayette
Sales Tax
$1,264
$323
Intergovernmental
$90,764
$36,145
Charges & Fees
$5,500
$2,183
Other
$2,404
$5,635

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

CarmelLafayette
Fire Protection
$166
$30
Highways & Roads
$354
$0
Public Welfare
$1,885
$472
Hospitals
$1,121
$83
Parks & Recreation
$1,484
$930
Housing
$2,696
$2,665
Utilities
$1,251
$3,776
Interest on Debt
$0
$2,122
Other
$7,432
$5,559
C
Carmel, IN
Fiscal Health Score: 56/100
Average fiscal health
B
Lafayette, IN
Fiscal Health Score: 77/100
Good fiscal health

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