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

Gary, IN vs Carmel, IN

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

Summary

Gary spends 33.2% 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
Gary, IN
Pop. 69,136
B
71/100
Budget Balance100
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency39
Revenue Diversity0
Trend Direction50
City B
Carmel, IN
Pop. 99,453
C
56/100
Budget Balance100
Debt Burden0
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency74
Revenue Diversity0
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

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

Per Capita Spending by Department

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

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

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

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

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

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