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

South Bend, IN vs Gary, IN

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

Summary

South Bend spends 63.7% 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
South Bend, IN
Pop. 103,084
D
48/100
Budget Balance33
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency0
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
South Bend
Gary
Total Spending
$3.7B
$1.5B
Spending / Capita
$35,719
$21,825
Total Revenue
$1.9B
$2.1B
Revenue / Capita
$18,281
$30,129
Total Debt
$29.7M
$0
Debt / Capita
$288
$0
Population
103,084
69,136
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

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

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

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

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

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

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