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

Meridian, ID vs Caldwell, ID

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

Summary

Caldwell spends 29.2% more per capita than Meridian ($2,948/person difference). Caldwell, ID has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (C, 55/100).

Fiscal Health Score

City A
Meridian, ID
Pop. 119,872
C
54/100
Budget Balance0
Debt Burden96
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency100
Revenue Diversity0
Trend Direction50
City B
Caldwell, ID
Pop. 61,212
C
55/100
Budget Balance0
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency100
Revenue Diversity0
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Meridian
Caldwell
Total Spending
$855.2M
$617.2M
Spending / Capita
$7,134
$10,082
Total Revenue
$512K
$0
Revenue / Capita
$4
$0
Total Debt
$53.9M
$7.1M
Debt / Capita
$449
$116
Population
119,872
61,212
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Fire Protection
Meridian$115
Caldwell$68
Highways & Roads
Meridian$0
Caldwell$62
Parks & Recreation
Meridian$745
Caldwell$590
Education
Meridian$0
Caldwell$43
Health
Meridian$0
Caldwell$206

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

MeridianCaldwell
Property Tax
$0
$390
Sales Tax
$418
$291
Income Tax
$102
$965
Intergovernmental
$4
$0
Charges & Fees
$905
$1,467
Other
$1,770
$2,417

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

MeridianCaldwell
Fire Protection
$115
$68
Highways & Roads
$0
$62
Education
$0
$43
Public Welfare
$0
$1,569
Health
$0
$206
Hospitals
$840
$351
Parks & Recreation
$745
$590
Housing
$2,058
$1,866
Sewerage
$551
$213
Utilities
$972
$2,255
Other
$1,852
$2,860
C
Meridian, ID
Fiscal Health Score: 54/100
Average fiscal health
C
Caldwell, ID
Fiscal Health Score: 55/100
Average fiscal health

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