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

Gary, IN vs South Bend, IN

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

Summary

South Bend spends 38.9% more per capita than Gary ($13,894/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
South Bend, IN
Pop. 103,084
D
48/100
Budget Balance33
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency0
Revenue Diversity0
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Gary
South Bend
Total Spending
$1.5B
$3.7B
Spending / Capita
$21,825
$35,719
Total Revenue
$2.1B
$1.9B
Revenue / Capita
$30,129
$18,281
Total Debt
$0
$29.7M
Debt / Capita
$0
$288
Population
69,136
103,084
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Fire Protection
Gary$231
South Bend$2,100
Highways & Roads
Gary$210
South Bend$2
Parks & Recreation
Gary$358
South Bend$1,973

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

GarySouth Bend
Property Tax
$0
$10
Sales Tax
$46
$759
Income Tax
$64
$955
Intergovernmental
$30,129
$18,281
Charges & Fees
$0
$2,775
Other
$10,510
$6,625

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

GarySouth Bend
Fire Protection
$231
$2,100
Highways & Roads
$210
$2
Public Welfare
$886
$1,509
Hospitals
$721
$800
Parks & Recreation
$358
$1,973
Housing
$2,936
$2,520
Sewerage
$0
$348
Utilities
$113
$1,910
Interest on Debt
$846
$1,088
Other
$15,525
$23,468
B
Gary, IN
Fiscal Health Score: 71/100
Good fiscal health
D
South Bend, IN
Fiscal Health Score: 48/100
Below average fiscal health

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