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WalletHub has published a new study that evaluates the best and worst cities for women to live and thrive in 2024.
By analyzing 182 cities based on 15 key indicators—ranging from median annual wages and unemployment rates for women to the quality of women’s hospitals and access to preventive healthcare—experts from the financial site determined that Columbia, Maryland, Fremont, California and Huntington Beach, California, ranked as the top three best cities for women to live and lay down roots.
Columbia came in no.1 for offering the highest median annual wages for women at $59,230 after cost of living adjustments. The city’s poverty rate for women is low at 8.9%, and its unemployment rate is slightly over 4%, indicating a strong job market. Additionally, around 24% of businesses in Columbia are women-owned, and the city has favorable health statistics, including high life expectancy and good rates of cervical and mammogram screenings. With ample parks, recreational facilities, and community programs, Columbia offers a high quality of life, making it an attractive place for women to build families and individuals alike.