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

South Bend, IN vs Carmel, IN

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

Summary

South Bend spends 117.9% more per capita than Carmel ($19,330/person difference). Carmel, IN has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (C, 56/100).

Fiscal Health Score

City A
South Bend, IN
Pop. 103,084
D
48/100
Budget Balance33
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency0
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
South Bend
Carmel
Total Spending
$3.7B
$1.6B
Spending / Capita
$35,719
$16,389
Total Revenue
$1.9B
$9.0B
Revenue / Capita
$18,281
$90,764
Total Debt
$29.7M
$84.1M
Debt / Capita
$288
$846
Population
103,084
99,453
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Fire Protection
South Bend$2,100
Carmel$166
Highways & Roads
South Bend$2
Carmel$354
Parks & Recreation
South Bend$1,973
Carmel$1,484

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

South BendCarmel
Property Tax
$10
$0
Sales Tax
$759
$1,264
Income Tax
$955
$0
Intergovernmental
$18,281
$90,764
Charges & Fees
$2,775
$5,500
Other
$6,625
$2,404

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

South BendCarmel
Fire Protection
$2,100
$166
Highways & Roads
$2
$354
Public Welfare
$1,509
$1,885
Hospitals
$800
$1,121
Parks & Recreation
$1,973
$1,484
Housing
$2,520
$2,696
Sewerage
$348
$0
Utilities
$1,910
$1,251
Interest on Debt
$1,088
$0
Other
$23,468
$7,432
D
South Bend, IN
Fiscal Health Score: 48/100
Below average fiscal health
C
Carmel, IN
Fiscal Health Score: 56/100
Average fiscal health

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