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In 2026, women in the United States continue to navigate a complex landscape marked by challenges such as wage disparities, underrepresentation in leadership roles, and disparities in health care access. Despite progress in many areas, significant gaps remain that affect women’s daily lives and career opportunities.
Following our analysis of the worst states for women, we have delved deeper to uncover the cities in Alaska where women face the most obstacles. The findings underscore the impact of location on women’s experiences.
Continue reading to discover how your city ranks and the factors that contribute to the challenges women face in Alaska.
The 10 Worst Cities For Women In Alaska
These cities rank as the most challenging environments for women in Alaska. For insights into why these locations fall short and to see which cities offer better prospects, keep reading.
Methodology – How We Identified The Worst Cities For Women In Alaska
Each city was evaluated based on four key criteria:
- Percentage of Women in Management (Lower is worse)
- Percentage of Women in Poverty (Higher is worse)
- Women’s Earnings Relative to Male Earnings (Lower is worse)
- Uninsured Women (Lower is worse)
To assess the income gap between women and men by city, we utilized the Census’ American Community Survey. The income ratio was determined by dividing median male income by median female income.
For the percentage of women in poverty, we again referenced the ACS, focusing on women living without relatives to accurately reflect the data. This approach yields a higher poverty rate as it excludes married women.
We analyzed the percentage of women in management roles to understand leadership representation, as women often support the advancement of other women.
Finally, we sourced data on uninsured women from the ACS as well.
Our analysis included only cities in Alaska with populations exceeding 5,000.
1. Meadow Lakes
Earnings for Women Compared to Male Dollars Earned: $0.51
Women in Management: 36.4%
Women in Poverty: 13.7%
Uninsured Women: 16.8%
Meadow Lakes ranks as the most challenging city for women in Alaska, marked by low scores across all categories. Women in this city face significant obstacles, including a high likelihood of poverty and lack of health insurance.
2. Kenai
Earnings for Women Compared to Male Dollars Earned: $0.68
Women in Management: 33.2%
Women in Poverty: 16.7%
Uninsured Women: 17.8%
Kenai ranks as the second most challenging city for women, with high poverty rates and concerning statistics across the board.
3. Wasilla
Earnings for Women Compared to Male Dollars Earned: $0.46
Women in Management: 40.9%
Women in Poverty: 14.2%
Uninsured Women: 12.5%
While there are some women in management roles in Wasilla, the overall figures reflect ongoing challenges, particularly with poverty rates.
4. Tanaina
Earnings for Women Compared to Male Dollars Earned: $0.63
Women in Management: 27.9%
Women in Poverty: 9.3%
Uninsured Women: 16.8%
Tanaina ranks as the fourth worst city for women, with a significant percentage of uninsured women and notable poverty among single women.
5. Farmers Loop
Earnings for Women Compared to Male Dollars Earned: $0.59
Women in Management: 25.7%
Women in Poverty: 14.3%
Uninsured Women: 5.8%
Farmers Loop ranks fifth, offering slightly better conditions than the previous four cities, yet still presents challenges for women.
6. Sterling
Earnings for Women Compared to Male Dollars Earned: $0.42
Women in Management: 41.2%
Women in Poverty: 7.0%
Uninsured Women: 21.0%
At sixth place, Sterling presents a concerning picture for women, especially with a high percentage of uninsured individuals.
7. Fishhook
Earnings for Women Compared to Male Dollars Earned: $0.50
Women in Management: 21.2%
Women in Poverty: 7.0%
Uninsured Women: 10.6%
Fishhook presents significant challenges for women, with high poverty rates and limited representation in management roles.
8. Ketchikan
Earnings for Women Compared to Male Dollars Earned: $0.73
Women in Management: 36.7%
Women in Poverty: 11.5%
Uninsured Women: 14.3%
Ketchikan’s statistics reveal that while women earn slightly more than in some other cities, the challenges of poverty and health care access persist.
9. Lakes
Earnings for Women Compared to Male Dollars Earned: $0.57
Women in Management: 40.3%
Women in Poverty: 8.9%
Uninsured Women: 13.5%
Women in Lakes face significant challenges as well, with lower earnings and a notable uninsured rate.
10. Kodiak
Earnings for Women Compared to Male Dollars Earned: $0.59
Women in Management: 62.9%
Women in Poverty: 9.8%
Uninsured Women: 19.0%
Despite ranking tenth, Kodiak still presents challenges for women, particularly regarding poverty and health insurance access.
Summary of the Worst Cities for Women in Alaska
The cities highlighted here represent some of the most challenging environments for women in Alaska. While women across the state face various difficulties, these locations exhibit particularly low prospects for improvement.
While there are cities in Alaska where women earn closer to or even more than their male counterparts, the disparities remain stark. The contrast between the best and worst cities is significant.
Ultimately, while individual experiences will vary, women living in these cities encounter unique challenges that may hinder their personal and professional growth.
For further insights, check out the complete list below.
Detailed List Of The Worst Cities For Women In Alaska
| Rank | Place | Pay Gap |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Meadow Lakes | $0.51 |
| 2 | Kenai | $0.68 |
| 3 | Wasilla | $0.46 |
| 4 | Tanaina | $0.63 |
| 5 | Farmers Loop | $0.59 |
| 6 | Sterling | $0.42 |
| 7 | Fishhook | $0.50 |
| 8 | Ketchikan | $0.73 |
| 9 | Lakes | $0.57 |
| 10 | Kodiak | $0.59 |
| 11 | Knik-Fairview | $0.60 |
| 12 | Homer | $0.64 |
| 13 | Palmer | $0.74 |
| 14 | Sitka | $0.75 |
| 15 | Kalifornsky | $0.60 |
| 16 | Bethel | $0.78 |
| 17 | Fairbanks | $0.75 |
| 18 | College | $0.65 |
| 19 | Chena Ridge | $0.60 |
| 20 | Gateway | $0.55 |
| 21 | Badger | $0.59 |
| 22 | Anchorage | $0.77 |
| 23 | Juneau | $0.81 |
| 24 | Steele Creek | $0.86 |
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.
