Anyone familiar with water meters ? UPDATE

Water meters measure how much water flows using an internal impellor. When they get old, they will read "slow" meaning you bill should go down. Typically they are good for 10 to 15 years and the city should replace them.

As you saw, the correct way to test is to turn everything off in your house so there is no water anywhere, including toilets. A leaking flapper will cause your toilet to run constantly. Diagnose from there.

Honestly, by you're description, I'd say the old meter was reading slow.