New study ranks the ‘best’ and ‘worst’ cities for women. Here’s where some North Carolina cities landed
By Starletta WatsonRussell Falcon,
26 days ago
RALEIGH, N.C. (NEXSTAR/WNCN) — What makes a city “good” or “bad” for women? A new study looks at just that and the many factors there are for women, in particular, to consider.
WalletHub compared 182 U.S. cities across 15 metrics to find the “best” and “worst” cities for women. Cities received scores out of 100 based on metrics like median earnings for women, unemployment rates, abortion policies and access, and prevalence of rape victimization among women, among others.
For North Carolina cities, the rankings were fairly decent with Durham at #40 on the best list. Charlotte came out at #42 and Raleigh ranked 48th.
Durham ranked 21st in WalletHub’s economic and social well-being category and 74th in health care and safety. Charlotte was ranked 14th and 88th in economic and healthcare rankings, respectively. Raleigh ranked 35th and 72nd in economic and healthcare rankings, respectively.
Fayetteville ranked second highest in the percentage of women-owned businesses, however, it ranked 146th overall with a score of 40.71.
Overall Rank
City
Total Score
Women’s Economic & Social Well-Being Rank
Women’s Health Care & Safety Rank
40
Durham, N.C.
59.59
21
74
42
Charlotte, N.C.
59.42
14
88
48
Raleigh, N.C.
58.19
35
72
122
Greensboro, N.C.
45.67
133
96
141
Winston-Salem, N.C.
42.66
150
98
146
Fayetteville, N.C.
40.71
140
139
Courtesy of WalletHub
Coming in dead last as the worst city for women is Jackson, MS with an overall score of 23.41 out of 100.
While the city’s score for women’s health care and safety isn’t the lowest among the pack, it’s only a few points off. Meanwhile, Jackson does rank last nationally in terms of women’s economic and social well-being.
When it comes to the “best” city for women nationwide, WalletHub found Columbia, Maryland, to be the best place, with an overall score of 76.31 out of 100. Analyst Chip Lupo explains that Columbia has “the highest median annual wages for women after adjusting for the cost of living, at $59,230.”
The city’s ranking is helped by its relatively low unemployment rate for women and the fact that around 24% of businesses in Columbia are women-owned.
“Living in the right city can significantly improve a woman’s economic status, health, and safety,” said WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo. “The best cities for women offer job security and high pay, enabling women to achieve greater financial independence. They also prioritize safety, provide easily accessible medical care, and have high-quality hospitals, contributing to the best possible physical and mental health for women.”
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