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The Best Cities for Women to Launch Careers

Jenna Bellassai
Written by Edited by  Reviewed by  Updated on March 7, 2023
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International Women’s Day is an occasion to reflect on past progress toward gender equity in the workplace and the challenges that still remain. In 2021, women in the U.S. earned about $0.82 for every dollar men earned. Hispanic or Latina women earned about $0.58, and Black women earned about $0.63 for every dollar white men earned, according to the U.S. Government Accountability Office and the Census Bureau.

The gender pay gap and other measures of gender equity in the workplace differ by location. In this guide, we ranked U.S. cities based on criteria that indicate the degree to which women are set up to succeed in their careers.

In this guide, we cover:

Methodology: How We Ranked the Cities

We evaluated 399 U.S. principal cities of Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs). We scored and ranked these cities on 12 criteria, including measures of gender equity, such as the wage gap and the gender breakdown of people in management positions, as well as indicators tied to employment, cost of living, public safety, and health care.

Here’s a detailed breakdown of our data sources:

For reference, here is how the United States performs across the core metrics: 

  • Median female earnings: $36,726
  • Women’s earnings as a percentage of men’s earnings: 72.9%
  • Female unemployment rate: 6%
  • Job growth: 1.9%
  • Percentage of people in management positions who are women: 42.1%
  • Price level as a percentage of the national price level: 100% 
  • Infant care costs as a share of median family income*: 22.4%
  • Violent crime rate: 40 per 10,000 people
  • Access to birth control: N/A
  • Maternal mortality rate: 20.4 per 100,000 live births 
  • Maximum length of federal paid family leave allowed (in weeks): 0
  • Maximum additional federal paid medical leave allowed for pregnancy and childbirth (in weeks): 0 

*Based on the average annual cost of infant care reported by the Center for American Progress and national median family income reported by the Census Bureau.

Crunching the Numbers

Our scores are weighted, meaning that not every factor contributes equally to a city’s final score. Here is the breakdown of the score-weighting:

  • 40%: Median female earnings and women’s earnings as a percentage of men’s earnings
  • 20%: Price level as a percentage of the national level, infant care costs as a share of median family income, and violent crime rate
  • 15%: Female unemployment rate, percentage of people in management occupations who are women, and job growth
  • 15%: Birth control access and maternal mortality rate
  • 10%: Paid family and medical leave policies

We normalized all individual factors by converting them to percentiles. We then calculated a weighted average of these normalized scores to get an overall score for each city. Note: For some factors, a higher value is better; for others, a lower value is better. We took these different directions into account when computing scores.

For more details, see our Full Methodology section at the end of this article. 

The Best Cities for Women to Launch Careers

1. Portland, Maine

  • Median female earnings: $47,234
  • Women’s earnings as a percentage of men’s earnings: 91.5%
  • Female unemployment rate: 2.4%
  • Job growth: 1.3%
  • Percentage of people in management positions who are women: 58.3%
  • Price level as a percentage of the national price level: 102%
  • Infant care costs as a share of median family income: 15.1%
  • Violent crime rate: 19 per 10,000 people
  • Access to birth control: 77.7
  • Maternal mortality rate: 20.4 per 100,000 live births
  • Maximum length of paid family leave allowed (in weeks) in the state: 0
  • Maximum additional paid medical leave allowed for pregnancy and childbirth (in weeks) in the state: 0

Portland, Maine, tops our list of the best cities for women to launch careers. Women’s earnings in Portland are 91.5% of men’s, which means it has a smaller wage gap than 93% of the cities in our data set. The female unemployment rate in Portland is exceptionally low at 2.4%, which is lower than 95% of the cities we scored. In addition, 58.3% of people in management positions in Portland are women, which is a higher percentage than 93% of cities in our data set.

The price level in Portland is 102% of the national level, meaning it has a higher price level than 66% of the cities we examined. However, infant care costs make up only 15.1% of the median family income in Maine. Also, Portland’s 1.3% job growth is not extraordinary. The city is only in the 23rd percentile for that metric.

2. Bismarck, North Dakota

  • Median female earnings: $42,400
  • Women’s earnings as a percentage of men’s earnings: 93.7%
  • Female unemployment rate: 1%
  • Job growth: 0.9%
  • Percentage of people in management positions who are women: 38.6%
  • Price level as a percentage of the national price level: 94%
  • Infant care costs as a share of median family income: 12.6%
  • Violent crime rate: 35 per 10,000 people
  • Access to birth control: 73.4
  • Maternal mortality rate: 20.4 per 100,000 live births
  • Maximum length of paid family leave allowed (in weeks) in the state: 0
  • Maximum additional paid medical leave allowed for pregnancy and childbirth (in weeks) in the state: 0

Bismarck, North Dakota, earned the No. 2 spot in our ranking. It has one of the lowest values across all the cities in our data set for female unemployment (1%). It also scored well in terms of women’s earnings as a percentage of men’s (93.7%), infant costs as a share of median family income (12.6% in North Dakota), and birth control access (73.4 in North Dakota, putting Bismarck in the 99th percentile). 

Job growth in Bismarck was only 0.9% (12th percentile), and the percentage of people in management occupations who are women is only 38.6%. Like our No. 1 city, Bismarck’s state of North Dakota has no law for paid family leave.

3. Grand Junction, Colorado

  • Median female earnings: $37,209
  • Women’s earnings as a percentage of men’s earnings: 94.4%
  • Female unemployment rate: 0.8%
  • Job growth: 2.2%
  • Percentage of people in management positions who are women: 42.3%
  • Price level as a percentage of the national price level: 92%
  • Infant care costs as a share of median family income: 21%
  • Violent crime rate: 54 per 10,000 people
  • Access to birth control: 58.2
  • Maternal mortality rate: 14.4 per 100,000 live births
  • Maximum length of paid family leave allowed (in weeks) in the state: 12
  • Maximum additional paid medical leave allowed for pregnancy and childbirth (in weeks) in the state: 4

Grand Junction, Colorado, ranks No. 3. It also has a very low female unemployment rate (0.8%) and a relatively small gender wage gap, with women’s earnings making up 94.4% of men’s. Colorado’s law allows up to 12 weeks of paid family leave and up to four additional weeks for complications related to pregnancy and childbirth.

While Grand Junction’s price level as a percentage of the national level is not bad at 92%, infant care costs make up 21% of the median family income in Colorado. With 42.3% of people in management positions in Grand Junction being women, the city is in the 35th percentile for that metric.

4. Stamford, Connecticut

  • Median female earnings: $50,916
  • Women’s earnings as a percentage of men’s earnings: 99.4%
  • Female unemployment rate: 3.7%
  • Job growth: 3.3%
  • Percentage of people in management positions who are women: 37.5%
  • Price level as a percentage of the national price level: 106%
  • Infant care costs as a share of median family income: 18.3%
  • Violent crime rate: 80 per 10,000 people
  • Access to birth control: 55.3
  • Maternal mortality rate: 20.4 per 100,000 live births
  • Maximum length of paid family leave allowed (in weeks) in the state: 12 
  • Maximum additional paid medical leave allowed for pregnancy and childbirth (in weeks) in the state: 2 

Women’s earnings are 99.4% of men’s earnings in Stamford, Connecticut. The median earnings for women in Stamford ($50,916) led the city to score in the 89th percentile for women’s earnings across all the cities we examined. Connecticut, like Colorado, has a law allowing residents to take up to twelve weeks of family leave. In contrast, the law in Connecticut only allows for two additional weeks in the event of health complications from pregnancy or childbirth.

Notably, only 37.5% of people in management positions in Stamford are women, which puts the city in the 18th percentile for that metric. Stamford’s price level as a percentage of the national level is higher than 77% of cities in our data set.

5. Portland, Oregon

  • Median female earnings: $47,516
  • Women’s earnings as a percentage of men’s earnings: 89.8%
  • Female unemployment rate: 6.6%
  • Job growth: 2.7%
  • Percentage of people in management positions who are women: 50.5%
  • Price level as a percentage of the national price level: 105%
  • Infant care costs as a share of median family income: 22.2%
  • Violent crime rate: 52 per 10,000 people
  • Access to birth control: 64.1
  • Maternal mortality rate: 20.4 per 100,000 live births
  • Maximum length of paid family leave allowed (in weeks) in the state: 12 
  • Maximum additional paid medical leave allowed for pregnancy and childbirth (in weeks) in the state: 2 

Not to be confused with the No. 1-ranked Portland, Maine, Portland, Oregon, ranks No. 5 on our list. Portland, Oregon, scored in the 90th percentile for women’s earnings as a percentage of men’s (89.8%). It also scored in the 86th percentile for median female salary ($47,516). Similar to Connecticut, Oregon has a law that allows for up to 12 weeks of family leave and two additional weeks in the event of complications from pregnancy or childbirth. Oregon has a birth control access score of 64.1, scoring in the 94th percentile for that metric.

Portland, Oregon, is not the most affordable city. Its price level as a percentage of the national level is 105%, and infant care costs are 22.2% of the median family income in the state. Infant care costs make up a greater portion of the median family income in Portland, Oregon, than 81% of the cities we examined.

6. Baltimore, Maryland

  • Median female earnings: $44,654
  • Women’s earnings as a percentage of men’s earnings: 89.2%
  • Female unemployment rate: 6.6%
  • Job growth: 2%
  • Percentage of people in management positions who are women: 53.4%
  • Price level as a percentage of the national price level: 105%
  • Infant care costs as a share of median family income: 17.6%
  • Violent crime rate: 46 per 10,000 people
  • Access to birth control: 52.3
  • Maternal mortality rate: 18.6 per 100,000 live births
  • Maximum length of paid family leave allowed (in weeks) in the state: 12 
  • Maximum additional paid medical leave allowed for pregnancy and childbirth (in weeks) in the state: 12 

Maryland’s law allows for up to 12 weeks of paid family leave. Employees may take an additional 12 weeks if they experience a serious health condition and are eligible to bond with a new child in the same year. In Baltimore, specifically, women’s earnings make up 89.2% of men’s, and 53.4% of people in management occupations are women.

Baltimore’s 2% job growth is relatively low (35th percentile). Also, its price level as a percentage of the national level is 105%.

7. Centennial, Colorado

  • Median female earnings: $53,853
  • Women’s earnings as a percentage of men’s earnings: 78.1%
  • Female unemployment rate: 3.7%
  • Job growth: 4.2%
  • Percentage of people in management positions who are women: 45.7%
  • Price level as a percentage of the national price level: 109%
  • Infant care costs as a share of median family income: 21%
  • Violent crime rate: 13 per 10,000 people
  • Access to birth control: 58.2
  • Maternal mortality rate: 14.4 per 100,000 live births
  • Maximum length of paid family leave allowed (in weeks) in the state: 12 
  • Maximum additional paid medical leave allowed for pregnancy and childbirth (in weeks) in the state: 4 

Centennial, Colorado, takes seventh place. Its median salary for women of $53,853 is the highest of any of the cities in the ranking so far. It also has the highest job growth of any of the cities up to this point in the ranking (4.2%). The 2020 violent crime rate in Centennial was 13 per 10,000 people, which is quite low.

Centennial’s price level as a percentage of the national level is 109%, higher than any of the cities above it in the ranking. Also, infant care costs in Colorado are 21% of the median family income.

8. Renton, Washington

  • Median female earnings: $50,374
  • Women’s earnings as a percentage of men’s earnings: 90.6%
  • Female unemployment rate: 5.9%
  • Job growth: 2.9%
  • Percentage of people in management positions who are women: 49.5%
  • Price level as a percentage of the national price level: 115%
  • Infant care costs as a share of median family income: 20.2%
  • Violent crime rate: 34 per 10,000 people
  • Access to birth control: 57.4
  • Maternal mortality rate: 20.5 per 100,000 live births
  • Maximum length of paid family leave allowed (in weeks) in the state: 16 
  • Maximum additional paid medical leave allowed for pregnancy and childbirth (in weeks) in the state: 2 

Women’s earnings are 90.6% of men’s in Renton, Washington, putting the city in the 91st percentile for that metric. The law in Washington allows for a maximum of 16 weeks of paid family and health condition leave, with an additional two weeks for complications arising from pregnancy and childbirth. The median salary for women in Renton is $50,374 (87th percentile).

The price level in Renton, Washington, is 115% of the national level, which is very high compared to most cities in our data set. Renton is near the middle of the pack in terms of the female unemployment rate (5.9%).

9. Frederick, Maryland

  • Median female earnings: $49,623
  • Women’s earnings as a percentage of men’s earnings: 94.6%
  • Female unemployment rate: 6.5%
  • Job growth: 1.1%
  • Percentage of people in management positions who are women: 44.6%
  • Price level as a percentage of the national price level: 111%
  • Infant care costs as a share of median family income: 17.6%
  • Violent crime rate: 46 per 10,000 people
  • Access to birth control: 52.3
  • Maternal mortality rate: 18.6 per 100,000 live births
  • Maximum length of paid family leave allowed (in weeks) in the state: 12 
  • Maximum additional paid medical leave allowed for pregnancy and childbirth (in weeks) in the state: 12 

Women’s earnings make up 94.6% of men’s in Frederick, Maryland. It’s in the 86th percentile for median salary for women ($49,623) and, being in Maryland, also benefits from the same paid leave law as No. 6-ranking Baltimore.

Job growth in Frederick was 1.1%, which puts the city in the 18th percentile. Its price level of 111% of the national level is higher than 86% of cities in our data set. The female unemployment rate in Frederick is 6.5%, which is higher than more than half of the cities we examined.

10. Cheektowaga, New York

  • Median female earnings: $41,963
  • Women’s earnings as a percentage of men’s earnings: 93.3%
  • Female unemployment rate: 3.4%
  • Job growth: 4%
  • Percentage of people in management positions who are women: 48.7%
  • Price level as a percentage of the national price level: 95%
  • Infant care costs as a share of median family income: 22.1%
  • Violent crime rate: 63 per 10,000 people
  • Access to birth control: 49.4
  • Maternal mortality rate: 20.2 per 100,000 live births
  • Maximum length of paid family leave allowed (in weeks) in the state: 12 
  • Maximum additional paid medical leave allowed for pregnancy and childbirth (in weeks) in the state: 0 

Cheektowaga, New York, earned the tenth spot in our ranking. Women’s earnings in Cheektowaga make up 93.3% of men’s earnings, and the female unemployment rate of 3.4% is relatively low compared to other cities. Cheektowaga also experienced 4% job growth, which is higher than 85% of cities in our data set.

Infant care costs in New York are 22.1% of the median family income. New York’s paid leave law allows for up to 12 weeks of paid family leave. 

11. Beaverton, Oregon

  • Median female earnings: $46,391
  • Women’s earnings as a percentage of men’s earnings: 86.2%
  • Female unemployment rate: 3.4%
  • Job growth: 2.7%
  • Percentage of people in management positions who are women: 31.8%
  • Price level as a percentage of the national price level: 105%
  • Infant care costs as a share of median family income: 22.2%
  • Violent crime rate: 23 per 10,000 people
  • Access to birth control: 64.1
  • Maternal mortality rate: 20.4 per 100,000 live births
  • Maximum length of paid family leave allowed (in weeks) in the state: 12 
  • Maximum additional paid medical leave allowed for pregnancy and childbirth (in weeks) in the state: 2 

In Beaverton, Oregon, the female unemployment rate is also 3.4%. The median earnings for women are $46,391, leading the city to score in the 83rd percentile for female earnings. Oregon has a relatively high birth control access score of 64.1.

Only 31.8% of people in management occupations in Beaverton are women, which is a lower percentage than 95% of the cities in our data set. Job growth in Beaverton was 2.7%, leading the city to score in the middle of the pack for that metric.

12. Denver, Colorado

  • Median female earnings: $50,512
  • Women’s earnings as a percentage of men’s earnings: 84.2%
  • Female unemployment rate: 5.6%
  • Job growth: 4.2%
  • Percentage of people in management positions who are women: 47.2%
  • Price level as a percentage of the national price level: 109%
  • Infant care costs as a share of median family income: 21%
  • Violent crime rate: 86 per 10,000 people
  • Access to birth control: 58.2
  • Maternal mortality rate: 14.4 per 100,000 live births
  • Maximum length of paid family leave allowed (in weeks) in the state: 12 
  • Maximum additional paid medical leave allowed for pregnancy and childbirth (in weeks) in the state: 4

Denver is the third Colorado city in our top 15. Notably, job growth in Denver is 4.2% (89th percentile), and the median earnings for women are $50,512 (88th percentile). Women’s earnings are 84.2% of men’s in Denver, leading the city to score in the 77th percentile for that metric.

Denver’s high price level (109% of the national level) and Colorado’s high infant care costs (21% of median family income) prevented the city from scoring higher in the ranking. The 2020 violent crime rate of 86 per 10,000 people was also rather high compared to other cities, with 72% of cities in our data set having a lower crime rate.

13. Pasadena, California

  • Median female earnings: $60,956
  • Women’s earnings as a percentage of men’s earnings: 112.6%
  • Female unemployment rate: 7.4%
  • Job growth: 2.2%
  • Percentage of people in management positions who are women: 40.2%
  • Price level as a percentage of the national price level: 114%
  • Infant care costs as a share of median family income: 24.9%
  • Violent crime rate: 29 per 10,000 people
  • Access to birth control: 59.2
  • Maternal mortality rate: 10.2 per 100,000 live births
  • Maximum length of paid family leave allowed (in weeks) in the state: 8 
  • Maximum additional paid medical leave allowed for pregnancy and childbirth (in weeks) in the state: 0 

Pasadena, California, ranked No. 13 on our list. The city scored in the 99th percentile for women’s earnings as a percentage of men’s earnings (112.6%). Pasadena also scored highly in terms of median female earnings, as the median female earnings of $60,956 put Pasadena in the 95th percentile.

The law in California specifies a maximum of eight weeks for paid family leave. California’s relatively low maternal mortality rate led Pasadena to score in the 92nd percentile for that metric.

The price level in Pasadena is 114% of the national price level, a higher value than 92% of cities in our data set. The cost of infant care as a share of median family income is 24.9%, which is also higher than 92% of the cities we examined.

14. Broomfield, Colorado

  • Median female earnings: $50,988
  • Women’s earnings as a percentage of men’s earnings: 75.1%
  • Female unemployment rate: 3%
  • Job growth: 4.2%
  • Percentage of people in management positions who are women: 46.4%
  • Price level as a percentage of the national price level: 109%
  • Infant care costs as a share of median family income: 21%
  • Violent crime rate: 11 per 10,000 people
  • Access to birth control: 58.2
  • Maternal mortality rate: 14.4 per 100,000 live births
  • Maximum length of paid family leave allowed (in weeks) in the state: 12 
  • Maximum additional paid medical leave allowed for pregnancy and childbirth (in weeks) in the state: 4 

Broomfield, Colorado, is the fourth city in Colorado to rank on our list of the best cities for women to launch their careers. It’s also the 10th-ranked city in our list of the best cities for high-paying entry-level jobs. The female unemployment rate in Broomfield is 3%, a lower value than 92% of cities in our data set. Broomfield’s crime rate was lower than 94% of cities in our data set. Broomfield also scored in the 89th percentile for job growth (4.2%).

The price level in Broomfield is 109% of the national level, and infant care costs are 21% of the median family income. The city is only in the 41st percentile for women’s earnings as a percentage of men’s earnings (75.1%).

15. Santa Barbara, California

  • Median female earnings: $45,062
  • Women’s earnings as a percentage of men’s earnings: 95.6%
  • Female unemployment rate: 7.1%
  • Job growth: 3.3%
  • Percentage of people in management positions who are women: 44.4%
  • Price level as a percentage of the national price level: 112%
  • Infant care costs as a share of median family income: 24.9%
  • Violent crime rate: 42 per 10,000 people
  • Access to birth control: 59.2
  • Maternal mortality rate: 10.2 per 100,000 live births
  • Maximum length of paid family leave allowed (in weeks) in the state: 8 
  • Maximum additional paid medical leave allowed for pregnancy and childbirth (in weeks) in the state: 0 

Santa Barbara, California, is the 15th city on our list. Women’s earnings in Santa Barbara make up 95.6% of men’s earnings, putting the city in the 97th percentile for that metric. Santa Barbara scored in the 81st percentile for median female earnings ($45,062). California’s birth control access score of 59.2 led Santa Barbara to score in the 83rd percentile.

Santa Barbara is only in the 35th percentile for the female unemployment rate (7.1%) and the 47th percentile for the percentage of people in management occupations who are women (44.4%). Infant care costs in Santa Barbara are 24.9% of the median family income, and the price level is 112% of the national level.

Comparing the Best Cities for Women to Launch Careers

Finding the Best City to Work for You

There are many aspects to consider when choosing where to move for a job. First, think twice before relocating at all, says Gianna Driver, chief human resources officer at Exabeam. Now that we live in a much more remote-friendly work world, women should be especially cautious when relocating to make sure that they are doing so for the right job.

Research cities’ salary gaps for men and women, as well as the percentage of women in leadership positions, unemployment rates, living expenses, and cost of housing and child care, Driver advises.

Women should also be aware of states’ policies impacting health care. 

“Given the recent Supreme Court ruling last year, I would be remiss if I didn’t encourage women who are considering relocation for work to look at the reproductive health laws of the state they’re considering moving to, especially around family planning and medical procedures that may/may not be available in that state,” Driver says.

When it comes to choosing where to relocate for a job, everyone should evaluate locations with an eye toward their unique situation.

“Best locations differ depending on whether you are a single woman, married woman, or a woman who is a part of the LGBTQIA+ community,” says Yolanda Chase, chief diversity officer at Washington Technology Industry Association. “What all these dimensions benefit from are states holding policies that positively impact women and support women’s rights.”

“Women should compare their socioeconomic position in their current location against the opportunity for progress when considering relocating to another state,” she adds.

In terms of policies employers should adopt to support female employees, Chase mentions flexible work arrangements, mentorship, and coaching. She also mentions policies intended to prevent the potential career progression setbacks women may encounter when they take extended parental leave or temporarily leave the workforce to care for a child. 

Pay equity is important, too. 

“I’m a strong believer that companies who watchdog (in a good way) disparities in pay practices hold themselves to a much higher standard regarding women’s rights and protections,” Chase says.

Driver emphasizes that organizations should adopt equitable hiring practices, partner with employee resource groups to get feedback on company policies, and audit their performance review processes through a Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) lens.

Learn how you can tell if an employer values diversity and inclusion in the workplace. 

Full Methodology

Forage created our ranking of the best cities for women to launch their careers by analyzing  399 U.S. principal cities of MSAs across 12 factors. The following factors apply to our analysis:

  • We used data at the MSA level for the price level as a percentage of the national level and job growth. We used data at the state level for infant costs as a share of median family income, access to birth control, maternal mortality rate, and paid leave policies. For all other criteria, we used data at the Place level.
  • For cities missing a value for the female employment rate, we first substituted the average of female unemployment rates across the other cities in our data set in the same MSA. For a small number of remaining cities still without a value, we substituted the average female employment rate across all cities in our data set.
  • We followed the same approach for a small number of cities missing data on the percentage of people in management roles who were women.
  • For the crime rate, we used the violent crime rate the FBI reported for each city in their annual report for 2020. We used 2020 data instead of 2021 data because of data collection issues that led to many missing values in 2021. For cities where the FBI did not report violent crime numbers in 2020, we used the state-level rate of crimes against persons in 2020.
  • The U.S. News data provides relative access scores to birth control based on county-level health clinic data from Power to Decide. It uses a scale of 0 to 100; higher numbers indicate better access. It did not include a value for Washington, D.C. We instead used the average of birth control access scores for other cities in our data set in the same MSA as Washington, D.C. 
  • Regarding the data points on family leave allowed in each state, we followed the forward-looking approach of the National Partnership for Women & Families by including policies that have yet to take full effect.
  • For states missing maternal mortality rates from the CDC data, we used the national maternal mortality rate.

Image credit: Depositphotos.com

Jenna Bellassai
Written by
Lead Data Reporter
Read more from Jenna Bellassai
Jenna Bellassai is the Lead Data Reporter at Forage. She previously was a Senior Data Scientist at Guru, where she transformed and analyzed data to improve search ranking algorithms.

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