Best & Worst States for Women (2025)

In recognition of Ladies’s Historical past Month this March – and with seemingly by no means ending gender disparities in earnings and management roles – the private finance web site WalletHub has printed its report on the Best & Worst States for Women in 2025, that includes skilled commentary.

The examine in contrast all 50 states and the District of Columbia, utilizing 25 key metrics. These elements embody 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: Greatest vs. Worst States for Ladies

Regardless of enhancements the U.S. has made over time, ladies nonetheless lag behind males with regards to financial prospects, government positions and political illustration. On high of tackling these necessary points, the most effective states for girls additionally be certain that they’ve entry to high-quality well being care, obtain the identical instructional alternatives as males, and reside in secure communities.

• Highest Median Earnings for Feminine Employees: District of Columbia – 1.8 occasions larger than Hawaii, which has the bottom (adjusted for value of dwelling)
• Lowest Share of Ladies Dwelling in Poverty: New Hampshire – 2.6 occasions decrease than Louisiana, which has the very best
• Highest Share of Ladies-Owned Companies: Florida – 1.8 occasions larger than South Dakota, which has the bottom 
• Lowest Share of Ladies with out Well being Insurance coverage: Massachusetts – 7.3 occasions decrease than Texas, which has the very best

A Nearer Take a look at The Greatest States for Ladies

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 providers. Ladies right here even have glorious entry to preventive care—the state has the second-lowest share of girls who couldn’t afford to see a physician prior to now 12 months and the second-highest share who’ve had a mammogram inside 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 resulting from its robust financial alternatives. Ladies within the state earn a median earnings of $44,526 (adjusted for value 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 price, with solely 10% of girls dwelling beneath the poverty line—the fourth-lowest price nationally.

Schooling is an extra power. Minnesota has one of many highest four-year highschool commencement charges for feminine college students. Ladies’s well being can be a precedence in Minnesota, which ranks fourth within the share of girls 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, notably with regards to earnings. Ladies in D.C. earn a median earnings of $50,936, adjusted for value of dwelling—the very best within the nation.

Past robust earnings, job stability is a serious 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 girls in D.C. report being in good or higher well being, the very 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 girls with out medical health insurance.

Feedback from the Consultants

What elements, monetary or in any other case, ought to ladies contemplate when selecting a state to reside in?

When contemplating what state to reside in, no matter gender, folks will need to contemplate a lot of elements, some elements being extra necessary to some folks than others. Alternative could be a broad consideration. Such alternative elements would come with issues such because the state of the economic system and job alternatives in that state and the price of dwelling. Different elements would come with the quality-of-life alternatives – Would you like walkable cities? Alternatives to reside close to waters or mountains? Heat climate, chilly climate, and so on.?

“As well as, one would need to contemplate the chance to keep up one’s well being and security – Are hospitals obtainable and handy? Are there sufficient docs to serve the group? 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 could 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 situations for girls?

Be clear along with your office insurance policies and along with your staff. Whenever you change one thing as a result of there’s a new Federal mandate to take action, inform folks. Don’t go away them out of the loop as issues change in your office or in your trade. Good, considerate, compassionate communication is essential, even if you really feel like your again is in opposition to the wall as legal guidelines quickly change. A cheerful workforce that feels secure to do the work you need them to do is extra necessary than you recognize.”

— Laura Mattoon D’Amore, Ph.D. – Professor, Roger Williams College

Firm insurance policies that enhance office situations for girls additionally enhance office situations for males. Such insurance policies would come with safety in opposition to discrimination and harassment, paid household go away, help for childcare and versatile work environments.”

— Elizabeth S. Smith – Professor, Furman College

What ought to a state-level public coverage agenda for girls embody?

A state-level public coverage agenda ought to promote and supply equal alternatives for everybody. This would come with protections in opposition to discrimination in hiring and pay, help for well being and well-being, robust instructional programs, and a responsive political system.”

— Elizabeth S. Smith – Professor, Furman College

Key Takeaways concerning the Greatest and Worst States for Ladies

When evaluating states, a major discovering was the distinction between purple and blue states (based mostly on how residents voted within the 2024 election). The information confirmed states designated as blue had been greater than twice as women-friendly as states designated as purple (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 greater steps towards leveling the enjoying subject.

Susan Gunelius

Susan Gunelius is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Ladies on Enterprise. She is a 30-year veteran of the advertising subject and has authored a dozen books about advertising, branding, and social media, together with the extremely widespread Ultimate Guide to Email Marketing, 30-Minute Social Media Marketing, Content Marketing for Dummies, Blogging All-in-One for Dummies and Kick-ass Copywriting in 10 Easy 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 Creative, Inc., a advertising communications firm. She has labored in company advertising roles and thru shopper relationships with AT&T, HSBC, Citibank, Intuit, The New York Instances, Cox Communications, and plenty of extra giant and small firms around the globe. Susan additionally speaks about advertising, branding and social media at occasions around the globe and is regularly 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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