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

Gary, IN vs Lafayette, IN

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

Summary

Gary spends 39.6% more per capita than Lafayette ($6,188/person difference). Lafayette, IN has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (B, 77/100).

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

Key Metrics

Metric
Gary
Lafayette
Total Spending
$1.5B
$1.1B
Spending / Capita
$21,825
$15,637
Total Revenue
$2.1B
$2.6B
Revenue / Capita
$30,129
$36,145
Total Debt
$0
$0
Debt / Capita
$0
$0
Population
69,136
70,828
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Fire Protection
Gary$231
Lafayette$30
Highways & Roads
Gary$210
Lafayette$0
Parks & Recreation
Gary$358
Lafayette$930

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

GaryLafayette
Sales Tax
$46
$323
Income Tax
$64
$0
Intergovernmental
$30,129
$36,145
Charges & Fees
$0
$2,183
Other
$10,510
$5,635

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

GaryLafayette
Fire Protection
$231
$30
Highways & Roads
$210
$0
Public Welfare
$886
$472
Hospitals
$721
$83
Parks & Recreation
$358
$930
Housing
$2,936
$2,665
Utilities
$113
$3,776
Interest on Debt
$846
$2,122
Other
$15,525
$5,559
B
Gary, IN
Fiscal Health Score: 71/100
Good fiscal health
B
Lafayette, IN
Fiscal Health Score: 77/100
Good fiscal health

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