Study: Columbia, Maryland Best City For Women
(Editors note:Technically, Columbia, Maryland is not a city, but rather a thriving unincorporated community of nearly 100,000 people.)
The personal-finance website WalletHub today released its report on the Best & Worst Cities for Women in 2024, as well as expert commentary, to identify the places that provide the best conditions for women’s economic status, health and safety.
WalletHub compared 182 cities across 15 key metrics. The data set ranges from the median earnings and unemployment rate for women to the quality of women’s hospitals and access to preventative health care.
| Best Cities for Women | Worst Cities for Women |
| 1. Columbia, MD | 173. Columbus, GA |
| 2. Fremont, CA | 174. Lubbock, TX |
| 3. Huntington Beach, CA | 175. Akron, OH |
| 4. Irvine, CA | 176. Laredo, TX |
| 5. San Francisco, CA | 177. Huntington, WV |
| 6. Santa Clarita, CA | 178. Shreveport, LA |
| 7. Washington, DC | 179. Augusta, GA |
| 8. Juneau, AK | 180. Brownsville, TX |
| 9. Seattle, WA | 181. Gulfport, MS |
| 10. Scottsdale, AZ | 182. Jackson, MS |
Best vs. Worst
- Columbia, Maryland, has the highest median earnings for female workers (adjusted for cost of living), 2.9 times higher than in Santa Ana, California, the city with the lowest.
- Pearl City, Hawaii, has the lowest share of women living in poverty, 6.9 times lower than in Cleveland, Ohio, the city with the highest.
- Anchorage, Alaska, has the highest share of women-owned businesses, 2.2 higher than Casper, Wyoming, the city with the lowest.
- South Burlington, Vermont, has the lowest female uninsured rate, 16.1 times lower than Brownsville, Texas, the city with the highest.
- Casper, Wyoming has the lowest unemployment rate for women, 6.9 times lower than Detroit, Michigan the city with the highest.
To view the full report and your city’s rank, please visit:
https://wallethub.com/edu/
“Living in the right city can significantly improve a woman’s economic status, health, and safety. The best cities for women offer job security and high pay, enabling women to achieve greater financial independence. They also prioritize safety, provide easily accessible medical care, and have high-quality hospitals, contributing to the best possible physical and mental health for women.”
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“Columbia, MD, is the best city for women in 2024, in part because it has the highest median annual wages for women after adjusting for the cost of living, at $59,230. In addition, the poverty rate for women is only 8.9%, the 12th-lowest in the country. On top of that, women tend to have good health in Columbia. The city has the 10th-best life expectancy for women at birth, and ranks among the top 30 cities when it comes to both access to cervical cancer screenings and mammograms.”
– Christie Matherne, WalletHub Analyst
Expert Commentary
What aspects should women focus on when choosing a city to live in?
“Generally speaking, cities where there is women’s leadership are going to have more services and resources for women. There will be more of a focus on women’s issues and supporting women. There are going to be efforts to prevent gender violence and sexual harassment for all people regardless of one’s gender. I would say the most important aspect to consider when moving to a new city for women is physical safety. If a woman does not feel safe in her body, she will never be able to let her guard down. I have personal experience with this, as I have traveled quite a bit by myself as a woman. Is it not incredibly sad to think that in 2024 women still have to worry about this? And yet we do. So, I would recommend checking crime records in terms of muggings, carjackings, and property theft. I also think if a woman is able to visit a city in advance, she can survey whether or not there is a feeling of safety. I am especially vigilant at night – so I might want to check out a neighborhood in the evening to see if streets are well lit, if there are people walking around, etc. Another aspect to consider is whether there are public spaces like parks where women and children feel safe alone. Do women travel on public transportation alone? Do women walk the streets alone?”
Monica Taylor – Director of Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies; Professor, Montclair State University
“First, because women continue to earn only 84 cents on the dollar relative to men, women should carefully consider the cost of living… Second, for women with or thinking of having children, it is important to consider the availability and cost of childcare. Childcare still falls predominantly on women, and a mother’s ability to live comfortably and pursue her work and interests is strongly correlated with the availability of quality, affordable childcare. Similarly, women may want to explore what support, and options exist for elder care, as they are likely to face more of the responsibility of caring for aging parents than men… Third, it is important to look at what types of jobs a city offers. Women predominate in the service sectors, including education, healthcare, and government, and these sectors are often good places for women to advance into higher-paying jobs. Even women who are not currently working in these sectors may want to consider cities with dynamic growth in these areas, given the opportunities they offer. Women may also want to consider how vibrant the small business economy is and whether women-owned businesses are common… Finally, for heterosexual women who are single and hoping to find a partner, they may want to consider the gender ratio of the city. Sometimes cities that attract women because of their growth in service sectors end up with relatively few eligible men, so some women may want to factor in this question when deciding which city is best for them.”
Martha C. Johnson – Associate Professor, Northeastern University
What are some of the most important women’s issues local governments should take into account in their planning and decision-making processes?
“Psychologists have studied aspects of urban design that contribute to well-being. Some key principles include creating affordable housing options, developing walkable neighborhoods, encouraging community events, preserving open and green spaces, and offering a variety of transportation choices. These align with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, which include: no poverty, zero hunger, clean water, affordable energy, access to healthcare, climate change risk mitigation, gender equality, and reduced discrimination. Local governments can also support businesses that promote gender equality by encouraging transparent pay equity, offering generous leave policies, and providing training and advancement opportunities for employees.”
Miriam Liss – Chair, Department of Psychological Science, University of Mary Washington
“Local governments would do well to consider the unique needs of women residents. For women with children, cities can help by providing support for strong schools and after-school programs, subsidizing childcare, facilitating new childcare facilities, or offering recreational opportunities for children. Cities should also be attentive to the problem of domestic violence, ensuring that sufficient emergency and transitional support services are available for women, mothers, and families. Similarly, police departments may want to consider task forces on sexual and domestic violence staffed primarily by female officers. Cities should also consider gender when thinking about economic opportunities. For example, they can prioritize efforts to attract industries, like healthcare or education, that not only employ women but offer relatively well-paid jobs. In addition, they can partner with local colleges, universities, and businesses to create training programs, particularly programs that help women retool to move into better-paying positions. Cities can also encourage women’s entrepreneurship by providing small business training and offering special opportunities for women-owned businesses to secure city contracts.”
Martha C. Johnson – Associate Professor, Northeastern University