Credits: Social Media
New study reveals the worst states to live in as a woman in 2024
A new survey revealed the best and worst states in America for a woman to live in 2024 based on factors like financial security, safety, and social well-being.�
Though the world has come far in recent years, there is still a well-documented gap between the quality of life of an average woman and that of a man. Despite being a heavily debated topic, it lies close to the heart of many Americans.�
The best state to be a woman
In the 2024 comprehensive study, a team of experts from WalletHub looked at 25 factors within Womens Economic & Social Well-Being and Womens Health Care & Safety.
At number one, with a grand total of 74, the team placed Massachusetts largely because of its 2.8% female unemployment rate. The state, which is also governed by a woman, also had the lowest rate of uninsurance and was voted the best place in America to be a mom.�
Other states ranking in the top ten included the District of Columbia, Minnesota, Vermont, Maine, Maryland, New York, Hawaii, New Jersey, and Delaware.
On the other end of the scale, with a score of 33.80, was the worst state to be a woman, Oklahoma, followed by Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Texas, and Arkansas.�
Interestingly, the study also found that Blue States were far better for the average woman than Red States.�
When choosing a State to live in, Jo Reger of Oakland University suggested: “The challenge in addressing this question lies in identifying which women we are referring to. College-educated white women have different experiences when relocating for a job compared to immigrant, undocumented, and refugee women, who often have no control over where they end up.”
“Black women and women of color form a diverse group with a range of unique issues and experiences. Trans women also have distinct experiences,” she added. “Heterosexual and queer women may have vastly different needs. In general, women should assess broader state policies and evaluate how women are valued as a collective. Subsequently, they should consider the specific challenges faced by their particular group.”
Methodology
In the 2024 comprehensive study, a team of experts from WalletHub looked at 25 factors within Womens Economic & Social Well-Being and Womens Health Care & Safety.
Womens Economic & Social Well-Being:
- Median Earnings for Female Workers
- Unemployment Rate for Women
- Job Security for Women
- Share of Women Living in Poverty
- Unaffordability of Doctors Visit
- Share of Women-Owned Businesses
- Economic Clout of Women-Owned Firms Rank
- High School Graduation Rate for Women
- Friendliness Toward Working Moms
- Friendliness Toward Womens Equality
- Share of Women Who Voted in the 2020 Presidential Election
Womens Health Care & Safety:
- Abortion Policies & Access
- Quality of Womens Hospitals
- Share of Women Ages 18-44 Who Reported Having One or More People They Think of as Their Personal Doctor or Health Care Provider
- Female Uninsured Rate
- Share of Women with Good or Better Health
- Womens Preventive Health Care
- Share of Physically Active Women
- Share of Women Who Are Obese
- Depression Rate for Women
- Suicide Rate for Women
- Womens Life Expectancy at Birth
- Female Homicide Rate
- Prevalence of Rape Victimization Among Women
The full data set is available to view here.�
