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As we step into 2026, women in the United States continue to encounter challenges distinct from their male counterparts. Issues such as wage gaps, workplace discrimination, and inequitable distributions of household responsibilities persist, illustrating that the fight for gender equality is far from over.
Having previously identified the most challenging states for women, we have now narrowed our focus to uncover the worst and best cities in Missouri for women. The findings highlight the significant impact of geographical location on women’s experiences and opportunities.
Discover how your city ranks and the criteria we used to evaluate the best and worst cities for women in Missouri.
The 10 Worst Cities For Women In Missouri
The cities listed above rank as the least favorable for women in Missouri. Continue reading to understand the specific challenges women face in these locations, or jump ahead to see the best cities for women in Missouri.
Methodology – How We Determined The Worst Cities For Women In Missouri
Each city was evaluated across four key categories:
- Percentage Of Women In Management (Lower is worse)
- Percentage Of Women In Poverty (Higher is worse)
- Women’s Earnings Compared To Male Earnings (Lower is worse)
- Uninsured Women (Lower is worse)
To assess the income gap between women and men in each city, we utilized data from the Census’ American Community Survey. We calculated the ratio of median male income to median female income to determine how much women earn for every dollar earned by men.
For the poverty rate among women, we referenced ACS data that focuses on women living without relatives, as this demographic typically has lower earnings and is more vulnerable to poverty. This approach provides a clearer picture of the unique challenges faced by women.
We also drew from ACS data to examine the percentage of women in management roles, as this reflects not only personal achievement but also the opportunities available for women’s advancement within the workforce.
Lastly, we analyzed the percentage of uninsured women in each city, again using ACS data.
Only cities in Missouri with populations exceeding 5,000 were included in our analysis.
1. De Soto
Earnings Compared To Male Dollars Earned: $0.29
Women In Management: 30.7%
Women In Poverty: 25.7%
Women Uninsured: 9.8%
De Soto ranks as the worst city for women in Missouri, with low scores across all evaluated categories. Women in De Soto face a high likelihood of poverty and lack of insurance, making their situation particularly challenging.
2. West Plains
Earnings Compared To Male Dollars Earned: $0.64
Women In Management: 16.3%
Women In Poverty: 26.1%
Women Uninsured: 12.9%
West Plains holds the second-worst position, with women experiencing significant poverty rates and low representation in management roles.
3. Sikeston
Earnings Compared To Male Dollars Earned: $0.69
Women In Management: 30.5%
Women In Poverty: 26.2%
Women Uninsured: 12.2%
Women in Sikeston face tough circumstances, with only 30.5% in management and a significant proportion living in poverty.
4. Park Hills
Earnings Compared To Male Dollars Earned: $0.63
Women In Management: 37.6%
Women In Poverty: 26.7%
Women Uninsured: 11.4%
Park Hills ranks fourth, with over a quarter of women living in poverty and many lacking health insurance.
5. Hannibal
Earnings Compared To Male Dollars Earned: $0.64
Women In Management: 32.0%
Women In Poverty: 21.9%
Women Uninsured: 11.4%
Hannibal ranks fifth, where women face better opportunities than the previous cities but still encounter significant barriers.
6. Neosho
Earnings Compared To Male Dollars Earned: $0.68
Women In Management: 37.4%
Women In Poverty: 26.0%
Women Uninsured: 15.7%
Neosho is ranked sixth, with a notable percentage of women living in poverty and a substantial uninsured rate.
7. Kennett
Earnings Compared To Male Dollars Earned: $0.64
Women In Management: 42.7%
Women In Poverty: 27.4%
Women Uninsured: 14.3%
Kennett is a challenging place for women, with high poverty rates and limited opportunities for advancement.
8. Dexter
Earnings Compared To Male Dollars Earned: $0.58
Women In Management: 32.7%
Women In Poverty: 23.2%
Women Uninsured: 8.1%
Dexter is another difficult city for women, with a significant number living in poverty and earning only $0.58 for every dollar earned by men.
9. Macon
Earnings Compared To Male Dollars Earned: $0.61
Women In Management: 33.1%
Women In Poverty: 16.7%
Women Uninsured: 9.7%
In Macon, women earn $0.61 for every dollar made by men, coupled with a poverty rate of 16.7% among single women.
10. Sedalia
Earnings Compared To Male Dollars Earned: $0.69
Women In Management: 39.7%
Women In Poverty: 23.7%
Women Uninsured: 14.8%
Sedalia ranks tenth, where women still face considerable economic challenges despite slightly better stats compared to the other cities listed.
Summary Of The Worst Cities For Women In Missouri
The cities highlighted here represent the most challenging environments for women in Missouri. While systemic issues exist statewide, these cities exhibit particularly tough circumstances for women.
Despite ongoing efforts towards gender parity, many cities still struggle with significant wage gaps and a lack of opportunities for women in management roles, highlighting the urgent need for continued work in this area.
While De Soto ranks as the most challenging city for women, individual experiences may vary. Nonetheless, the data indicates unique obstacles that women in these areas must navigate.
Detailed List Of The Worst Cities For Women In Missouri
| Rank | Place | Pay Gap |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | De Soto | $0.29 |
| 2 | West Plains | $0.64 |
| 3 | Sikeston | $0.69 |
| 4 | Park Hills | $0.63 |
| 5 | Hannibal | $0.64 |
| 6 | Neosho | $0.68 |
| 7 | Kennett | $0.64 |
| 8 | Dexter | $0.58 |
| 9 | Macon | $0.61 |
| 10 | Sedalia | $0.69 |
| 11 | Caruthersville | $0.71 |
| 12 | Waynesville | $0.44 |
| 13 | Fulton | $0.76 |
| 14 | Sullivan | $0.74 |
| 15 | Richmond | $0.76 |
| 16 | Pevely | $0.52 |
| 17 | Kirksville | $0.64 |
| 18 | Cameron | $0.66 |
| 19 | Poplar Bluff | $0.76 |
| 20 | Republic | $0.65 |
| 21 | Bolivar | $0.56 |
| 22 | Webb City | $0.84 |
| 23 | Jackson | $0.59 |
| 24 | Festus | $0.64 |
| 25 | Nevada | $0.65 |
| 26 | Carthage | $0.82 |
| 27 | St. Joseph | $0.71 |
| 28 | Chillicothe | $0.69 |
| 29 | Overland | $0.84 |
| 30 | Joplin | $0.68 |
| 31 | Aurora | $0.56 |
| 32 | Independence | $0.72 |
| 33 | Springfield | $0.81 |
| 34 | Clinton | $0.63 |
| 35 | Pleasant Hill | $0.57 |
| 36 | Warrenton | $0.72 |
| 37 | Cape Girardeau | $0.71 |
| 38 | Warrensburg | $0.84 |
| 39 | Fort Leonard Wood | $0.62 |
| 40 | St. John | $0.71 |
| 41 | Harrisonville | $0.72 |
| 42 | Rolla | $1.33 |
| 43 | Excelsior Springs | $0.63 |
| 44 | St. Louis | $0.81 |
| 45 | Carl Junction | $0.67 |
| 46 | Lebanon | $0.67 |
| 47 | Parkville | $0.62 |
| 48 | Oak Grove | $0.56 |
| 49 | Monett | $0.84 |
| 50 | Valley Park | $0.79 |
| 51 | Maryville | $0.65 |
| 52 | Bellefontaine Neighbors | $1.10 |
| 53 | Murphy | $0.74 |
| 54 | Union | $0.62 |
| 55 | Town And Country | $0.32 |
| 56 | Clayton | $0.56 |
| 57 | Mexico | $0.85 |
| 58 | Olivette | $0.60 |
| 59 | Kansas City | $0.80 |
| 60 | Branson | $0.95 |
| 61 | Liberty | $0.67 |
| 62 | Battlefield | $0.64 |
| 63 | Perryville | $0.64 |
| 64 | Pacific | $0.68 |
| 65 | Dardenne Prairie | $0.53 |
| 66 | Raytown | $0.83 |
| 67 | Chesterfield | $0.49 |
| 68 | Nixa | $0.72 |
| 69 | Washington | $0.65 |
| 70 | Grandview | $0.85 |
| 71 | St. Charles | $0.63 |
| 72 | Ladue | $0.43 |
| 73 | Marshfield | $0.70 |
| 74 | Creve Coeur | $0.58 |
| 75 | Sunset Hills | $0.51 |
| 76 | Wildwood | $0.50 |
| 77 | Black Jack | $0.70 |
| 78 | Marshall | $0.87 |
| 79 | Troy | $0.55 |
| 80 | Des Peres | $0.58 |
| 81 | Webster Groves | $0.60 |
| 82 | Bridgeton | $0.84 |
| 83 | St. Robert | $0.73 |
| 84 | Ozark | $0.68 |
| 85 | Lake St. Louis | $0.64 |
| 86 | Odessa | $0.58 |
| 87 | Kearney | $0.58 |
| 88 | Greenwood | $0.62 |
| 89 | Shrewsbury | $0.71 |
| 90 | Spanish Lake | $0.87 |
| 91 | St. Ann | $0.90 |
| 92 | Glendale | $0.64 |
| 93 | O’fallon | $0.62 |
| 94 | Farmington | $0.88 |
| 95 | Gladstone | $0.75 |
| 96 | Wentzville | $0.67 |
| 97 | Oakville | $0.66 |
| 98 | Ellisville | $0.60 |
| 99 | Columbia | $0.79 |
| 100 | Ferguson | $0.92 |
Author
Kathy is the head of content at Zippia with a knack for engaging audiences. Prior to joining Zippia, Kathy worked at Gateway Blend growing audiences across diverse brands. She graduated from Troy University with a degree in Social Science Education.
