Greatest & Worst States for Girls (2025)

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 private finance web site WalletHub has printed its report on the Greatest & Worst States for Girls in 2025, that includes professional commentary.

The research in contrast all 50 states and the District of Columbia, utilizing 25 key metrics. These elements embody median earnings for ladies, entry to high quality healthcare, and the speed of feminine homicides, amongst different indicators.

Following are key findings from the analysis research and insights from WalletHub Analyst Milvionne Chery Copeland.

Key Findings: Greatest vs. Worst States for Girls

Regardless of enhancements the U.S. has made over time, ladies nonetheless lag behind males in the case of financial prospects, government positions and political illustration. On high of tackling these necessary points, one of the best states for ladies additionally make sure that they’ve entry to high-quality well being care, obtain the identical instructional alternatives as males, and dwell in protected communities.

• Highest Median Earnings for Feminine Employees: District of Columbia – 1.8 instances larger than Hawaii, which has the bottom (adjusted for value of dwelling)
• Lowest Share of Girls Dwelling in Poverty: New Hampshire – 2.6 instances decrease than Louisiana, which has the best
• Highest Share of Girls-Owned Companies: Florida – 1.8 instances larger 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 Have a look at The Greatest States for Girls

Massachusetts

Massachusetts stands out as the highest state for ladies 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 ladies’s well being providers. Girls right here even have wonderful entry to preventive care—the state has the second-lowest share of ladies who couldn’t afford to see a health care provider 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 ladies within the U.S.

Minnesota

Minnesota ranks because the second-best state for ladies, largely resulting from its robust financial alternatives. Girls 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 ladies dwelling beneath the poverty line—the fourth-lowest price nationally.

Schooling 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 ladies, notably in the case of earnings. Girls in D.C. earn a median earnings of $50,936, adjusted for value of dwelling—the best within the nation.

Past robust earnings, job stability is a significant benefit for ladies 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 proportion 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 ladies. Moreover, D.C. has the second lowest share of ladies with out medical health insurance.

Feedback from the Consultants

What elements, monetary or in any other case, ought to ladies take into account when selecting a state to dwell in?

When contemplating what state to dwell in, no matter gender, individuals will need to take into account quite a lot of elements, some elements being extra necessary to some individuals 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 dwell close to waters or mountains? Heat climate, chilly climate, and so on.?

“As well as, one would need to take into account the chance to take care of one’s well being and security – Are hospitals accessible and handy? Are there sufficient docs to serve the neighborhood? Is crime an issue? As well as, one would doubtless need to take into account the chance for development and private improvement – Are there good colleges for my youngsters? 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 corporations do to enhance office situations for ladies?

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 individuals. 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 while you really feel like your again is in opposition to the wall as legal guidelines quickly change. A cheerful workforce that feels protected to do the work you need them to do is extra necessary than you already know.”

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

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

— Elizabeth S. Smith – Professor, Furman College

What ought to a state-level public coverage agenda for ladies 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, assist for well being and well-being, robust instructional methods, and a responsive political system.”

— Elizabeth S. Smith – Professor, Furman College

Key Takeaways concerning the Greatest and Worst States for Girls

When evaluating states, a major discovering was the distinction between purple and blue states (primarily based on how residents voted within the 2024 election). The info 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 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 area and has authored a dozen books about advertising, branding, and social media, together with the extremely common Final Information to Electronic mail Advertising, 30-Minute Social Media Advertising, Content material Advertising for Dummies, Running a blog All-in-One for Dummies and Kick-ass Copywriting in 10 Simple Steps. Susan’s marketing-related content material may be discovered on Entrepreneur.com, Forbes.com, MSNBC.com, BusinessWeek.com, and extra. Susan is President & CEO of KeySplash Inventive, Inc., a advertising communications firm. She has labored in company advertising roles and thru consumer relationships with AT&T, HSBC, Citibank, Intuit, The New York Occasions, Cox Communications, and plenty of extra massive and small corporations world wide. Susan additionally speaks about advertising, branding and social media at occasions world wide and is continuously interviewed by tv, on-line, radio, and print media organizations about these matters. She holds an MBA in Administration and Technique and a Bachelor of Science diploma in Advertising and is a Licensed Skilled Profession Coach (CPCC).

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