In recognition of Girls’s Historical past Month this March – and with seemingly by no means ending gender disparities in earnings and management roles – the non-public finance web site WalletHub has printed its report on the Finest & Worst States for Girls in 2025, that includes professional commentary.
The examine in contrast all 50 states and the District of Columbia, utilizing 25 key metrics. These components embrace median earnings for girls, entry to high quality healthcare, and the speed of feminine homicides, amongst different indicators.
Following are key findings from the analysis examine and insights from WalletHub Analyst Milvionne Chery Copeland.
Key Findings: Finest vs. Worst States for Girls
BEST STATES FOR WOMEN
WORST STATES FOR WOMEN
1. MASSACHUSETTS
42. MISSOURI
2. MINNESOTA
43. GEORGIA
3. DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
44. WEST VIRGINIA
4. NEW YORK
45. WYOMING
5. MARYLAND
46. ALABAMA
6. MAINE
47. TEXAS
7. VERMONT
48. LOUISIANA
8. NEW JERSEY
49. ARKANSAS
9. WASHINGTON
50. OKLAHOMA
10. HAWAII
51. MISSISSIPPI
Regardless of enhancements the U.S. has made through the years, ladies nonetheless lag behind males with regards to financial prospects, government positions and political illustration. On high of tackling these essential points, one of the best states for girls additionally be sure that they’ve entry to high-quality well being care, obtain the identical instructional alternatives as males, and stay in secure communities.
Highest Median Earnings for Feminine Employees: District of Columbia – 1.8 instances increased than Hawaii, which has the bottom (adjusted for price of dwelling)
Lowest Share of Girls Residing in Poverty: New Hampshire – 2.6 instances decrease than Louisiana, which has the best
Highest Share of Girls-Owned Companies: Florida – 1.8 instances increased than South Dakota, which has the bottom
Lowest Proportion of Girls with out Well being Insurance coverage: Massachusetts – 7.3 instances decrease than Texas, which has the best
A Nearer Take a look at The Finest States for Girls
Massachusetts
Massachusetts stands out as the highest state for girls in 2025. The state boasts one of many lowest feminine unemployment charges and is led by a feminine governor. Moreover, Massachusetts has the nation’s lowest share of uninsured ladies, with simply 2.1% missing medical health insurance.
Entry to high quality well being care is one other key issue contributing to the state’s rating. Massachusetts hospitals rank fifth nationwide for girls’s well being companies. Girls right here even have glorious entry to preventive care—the state has the second-lowest share of ladies who couldn’t afford to see a physician up to now 12 months and the second-highest share who’ve had a mammogram throughout the previous two years. These benefits contribute to Massachusetts having the second-longest life expectancy for girls within the U.S.
Minnesota
Minnesota ranks because the second-best state for girls, largely because of its robust financial alternatives. Girls within the state earn a median earnings of $44,526 (adjusted for price of dwelling), which is the second-highest within the nation. The state additionally has one of many lowest feminine unemployment charges and a comparatively low poverty fee, with solely 10% of ladies dwelling beneath the poverty line—the fourth-lowest fee nationally.
Training is a further energy. Minnesota has one of many highest four-year highschool commencement charges for feminine college students. Girls’s well being can also be a precedence in Minnesota, which ranks fourth within the share of ladies reporting good or higher well being. Moreover, the state has one of many longest feminine life expectations within the nation.
District of Columbia
The District of Columbia is the third-best place for girls, significantly with regards to earnings. Girls in D.C. earn a median earnings of $50,936, adjusted for price of dwelling—the best within the nation.
Past robust earnings, job stability is a significant benefit for girls within the District of Columbia. It ranks eighth within the nation for job safety, which means ladies face decrease dangers of layoffs. Many ladies additionally pursue entrepreneurship, as D.C. ranks eleventh for the share of women-owned companies.
Well being and wellness are additionally notable strengths. Over 88% of ladies in D.C. report being in good or higher well being, the best share within the U.S. The District additionally leads in bodily exercise ranges and has one of many lowest weight problems charges for girls. Moreover, D.C. has the second lowest share of ladies with out medical health insurance.
Feedback from the Consultants
What components, monetary or in any other case, ought to ladies contemplate when selecting a state to stay in?
When contemplating what state to stay in, no matter gender, folks will need to contemplate various components, some components being extra essential to some folks than others. Alternative can be a broad consideration. Such alternative components would come with issues such because the state of the economic system and job alternatives in that state and the price of dwelling. Different components would come with the quality-of-life alternatives – Would you like walkable cities? Alternatives to stay close to waters or mountains? Heat climate, chilly climate, and many others.?
“As well as, one would need to contemplate the chance to take care of one’s well being and security – Are hospitals out there and handy? Are there sufficient docs to serve the neighborhood? Is crime an issue? As well as, one would seemingly need to contemplate the chance for development and private improvement – Are there good faculties for my kids? Good establishments of upper schooling? And, lastly, the chance to be part of or to affect the political course of can be a priority for many as that’s how people can have an effect on the change they need.”
— Elizabeth S. Smith – Professor, Furman College
What can firms do to enhance office circumstances for girls?
Be clear along with your office insurance policies and along with your staff. If you change one thing as a result of there’s a new Federal mandate to take action, inform folks. Don’t depart them out of the loop as issues change in your office or in your business. Good, considerate, compassionate communication is essential, even if you really feel like your again is towards the wall as legal guidelines quickly change. A cheerful workforce that feels secure to do the work you need them to do is extra essential than .”
— Laura Mattoon D’Amore, Ph.D. – Professor, Roger Williams College
Firm insurance policies that enhance office circumstances for girls additionally enhance office circumstances for males. Such insurance policies would come with safety towards discrimination and harassment, paid household depart, assist for childcare and versatile work environments.”
— Elizabeth S. Smith – Professor, Furman College
What ought to a state-level public coverage agenda for girls embrace?
A state-level public coverage agenda ought to promote and supply equal alternatives for everybody. This would come with protections towards discrimination in hiring and pay, assist for well being and well-being, robust instructional techniques, and a responsive political system.”
— Elizabeth S. Smith – Professor, Furman College
Key Takeaways concerning the Finest and Worst States for Girls
When evaluating states, a big discovering was the distinction between pink and blue states (based mostly on how residents voted within the 2024 election). The information confirmed states designated as blue have been greater than twice as women-friendly as states designated as pink (142.5% extra women-friendly).
The important thing takeaways are clear – there are steps that states can take to be extra women-friendly, and a few states are doing it higher than others. It’s time for different states to catch up and for all states to take larger steps towards leveling the enjoying area.
Susan Gunelius
Susan Gunelius is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Girls on Enterprise. She is a 30-year veteran of the advertising and marketing area and has authored a dozen books about advertising and marketing, branding, and social media, together with the extremely common Final Information to E-mail Advertising and marketing, 30-Minute Social Media Advertising and marketing, Content material Advertising and marketing for Dummies, Running a blog All-in-One for Dummies and Kick-ass Copywriting in 10 Straightforward Steps. Susan’s marketing-related content material could be discovered on Entrepreneur.com, Forbes.com, MSNBC.com, BusinessWeek.com, and extra. Susan is President & CEO of KeySplash Inventive, Inc., a advertising and marketing communications firm. She has labored in company advertising and marketing roles and thru shopper relationships with AT&T, HSBC, Citibank, Intuit, The New York Occasions, Cox Communications, and lots of extra massive and small firms all over the world. Susan additionally speaks about advertising and marketing, branding and social media at occasions all over the world and is continuously interviewed by tv, on-line, radio, and print media organizations about these subjects. She holds an MBA in Administration and Technique and a Bachelor of Science diploma in Advertising and marketing and is a Licensed Skilled Profession Coach (CPCC).
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