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

Lafayette, IN vs Gary, IN

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

Summary

Gary spends 28.4% 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
Lafayette, IN
Pop. 70,828
B
77/100
Budget Balance100
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency79
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
Lafayette
Gary
Total Spending
$1.1B
$1.5B
Spending / Capita
$15,637
$21,825
Total Revenue
$2.6B
$2.1B
Revenue / Capita
$36,145
$30,129
Total Debt
$0
$0
Debt / Capita
$0
$0
Population
70,828
69,136
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

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

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

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

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

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

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