The Best States To Be A Woman

As of 2026, while women in the United States continue to achieve higher levels of education than men, the gender pay gap and workplace inequalities remain persistent challenges. Women still encounter unique obstacles, from wage disparities to underrepresentation in leadership roles. The landscape for women in the workforce is evolving, yet significant strides are still necessary to ensure equitable opportunities.

The U.S. is a vast and diverse country, with fifty states offering different living conditions, economic opportunities, and support systems for women. Recognizing these differences, we set out to identify which states provide the most favorable environments for women. Our findings reveal that location significantly impacts the quality of life for women across the nation.

Top 10 States for Women in 2026

This list highlights the ten best states for women in 2026. Vermont ranks first, benefiting from a combination of high female CEO representation and a lower wage gap. Regions like the Northeast continue to excel, offering high life expectancies and small wage disparities. Every state on this list has something unique to offer, making it easier for women to thrive.

If your state isn’t in the top ten, scroll to the bottom to see how it ranks. We’ll also explore how we determined these rankings and what makes these states stand out.

How We Determined the Best States for Women

Each state was ranked from 1 to 50 across four key categories:

Percentage of Women CEOs (Higher is better)
Percentage of Women in Poverty (Lower is better)
Income Gap Between Male and Female Earners (Lower is better)
Life Expectancy (Higher is better)

To analyze the income gap, we utilized the Census’ American Community Survey. We calculated the ratio of median female income to median male income, subtracting the result from 100 to determine the gap.

For the percentage of women in poverty, we focused on women living without relatives, which tends to yield a higher poverty rate due to lower average incomes. This approach provides a clearer picture of economic challenges faced by women.

In assessing the percentage of women CEOs, we drew from Discoverorg’s research. This metric highlights women’s advancement in leadership roles, which is critical for fostering future opportunities.

Lastly, we sourced life expectancy data from the Institute for Health Metrics, which reflects various health, social, and economic factors influencing women’s longevity.

The complete ranking of all fifty states based on these categories is available at the end of this article. But first, let’s delve deeper into the top ten states that excel in supporting women.

1. Vermont

Vermont
Wage Gap: 24%
Women In Poverty: 24%
Life Expectancy: 79.9
Women CEOs: 38%

Vermont is not just famous for its maple syrup and cheese; it is also a thriving environment for women. With an impressive percentage of female CEOs and a low wage gap, Vermont provides women with excellent opportunities for career advancement and financial stability. Coupled with its breathtaking natural scenery, it’s clear why Vermont ranks as the top state for women.

2. Hawaii

Hawaii
Wage Gap: 22%
Women In Poverty: 25%
Life Expectancy: 81.5
Women CEOs: 28%

Hawaii is the second-best state for women, boasting the highest life expectancy in the nation. With a small wage gap and a substantial percentage of women in leadership roles, Hawaii presents a promising environment for women, despite a slightly elevated poverty rate.

3. Arizona

Arizona
Wage Gap: 23%
Women In Poverty: 24%
Life Expectancy: 79.2
Women CEOs: 26%

Arizona ranks third, with 26% of all CEOs being women. The state has a favorable wage gap, allowing women to earn just 23 cents less per dollar compared to their male counterparts.

4. Minnesota

Minnesota
Wage Gap: 28%
Women In Poverty: 23%
Life Expectancy: 80.7
Women CEOs: 25%

In Minnesota, women enjoy a longer life expectancy and a significantly lower likelihood of living in poverty, making it a great place for women’s growth and well-being.

5. Delaware

Delaware
Wage Gap: 24%
Women In Poverty: 25%
Life Expectancy: 78.2
Women CEOs: 33%

Delaware may be small, but it offers substantial opportunities for women, featuring a low wage gap and a high percentage of female CEOs.

6. Colorado

Colorado
Wage Gap: 27%
Women In Poverty: 22%
Life Expectancy: 79.9
Women CEOs: 24%

With a booming economy, Colorado is an attractive state for women, marked by a lower poverty rate and higher longevity compared to many other states.

7. Rhode Island

Rhode Island
Wage Gap: 27%
Women In Poverty: 26%
Life Expectancy: 79.3
Women CEOs: 28%

Rhode Island ranks as the seventh-best state for women, with solid performance across all metrics, contributing to its favorable standing.

8. New Hampshire

New Hampshire
Wage Gap: 31%
Women In Poverty: 19%
Life Expectancy: 79.1
Women CEOs: 29%

New Hampshire is notable for having the lowest female poverty rate in the nation, enhancing its appeal as a place for women to thrive.

9. New York

New York
Wage Gap: 24%
Women In Poverty: 26%
Life Expectancy: 80.6
Women CEOs: 23%

New York offers high life expectancy and a modest wage gap, making it a vibrant place for women to pursue their careers and build their lives.

10. Alaska

Alaska
Wage Gap: 29%
Women In Poverty: 21%
Life Expectancy: 77.8
Women CEOs: 33%

Alaska may not be the first state that comes to mind for women, but its high percentage of female CEOs and low poverty rate demonstrate that women are thriving in this rugged landscape.

Summary of the Best States for Women

These ten states stand out as the best environments for women in 2026. While challenges persist, these states provide better prospects compared to many others. No state has achieved a 50% representation of female CEOs, indicating room for improvement, but the disparities in income and representation highlight significant differences across the country. While Vermont may not be the perfect fit for every woman, it certainly excels in key areas that impact women’s lives.

Explore the complete list and find out where your state ranks.

Best States for Women

Rank	State	Female CEOs (%)	Life Expectancy	Wage Gap	Women In Poverty (%)
1	Vermont	38	79	24%	23
2	Hawaii	28	81	22%	24
3	Arizona	26	79	23%	24
4	Minnesota	25	80	28%	23
5	Delaware	33	78	24%	24
6	Rhode Island	28	79	27%	25
6	Colorado	24	79	27%	22
8	New Hampshire	29	79	31%	18
9	New York	23	80	24%	26
10	Alaska	33	77	29%	21
11	Maine	30	78	27%	25
12	Maryland	22	78	25%	21
13	Connecticut	24	80	31%	23
13	Wisconsin	27	79	32%	25
15	Washington	25	79	34%	23
16	Nevada	25	77	20%	27
17	Florida	22	79	21%	26
18	Virginia	24	79	30%	25
19	Massachusetts	21	79	30%	23
20	California	21	80	25%	28
21	New Jersey	20	80	32%	21
22	Oregon	23	79	29%	26
23	Nebraska	24	79	32%	25
24	Illinois	24	79	30%	26
25	Montana	41	76	28%	28
26	North Carolina	22	77	25%	27
26	New Mexico	25	77	26%	32
28	Pennsylvania	22	78	31%	25
29	Missouri	23	77	28%	26
29	Kansas	25	78	33%	26
31	South Dakota	21	78	29%	26
32	Arkansas	26	75	26%	34
33	Idaho	27	79	38%	28
34	South Carolina	25	76	27%	29
35	Iowa	21	79	34%	26
36	Georgia	22	77	27%	28
36	North Dakota	23	78	33%	27
38	Tennessee	23	76	27%	29
39	Mississippi	28	74	29%	36
40	Wyoming	25	78	40%	30
41	Texas	20	78	31%	28
41	Alabama	30	74	33%	33
43	Indiana	23	77	35%	27
44	Michigan	23	77	34%	28
45	Ohio	21	76	33%	26
46	Utah	17	79	45%	30
47	Kentucky	18	75	29%	32
48	Oklahoma	19	75	32%	30
49	Louisiana	21	75	38%	34
50	West Virginia	17	74	34%	32

Want the latest research and most engaging stories first? Email Kathy Morris at kmorris@zippia.com to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.

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Author

Kathy Morris

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.

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