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As we move into 2026, the challenges faced by women in the U.S. workforce continue to persist. From gender discrimination to unequal pay and an imbalanced distribution of household responsibilities, navigating professional and personal life as a woman remains complex.
In light of these ongoing issues, we analyzed various cities across Idaho to determine where women face the most significant obstacles. The findings reveal that geographic location plays a crucial role in women’s experiences.
Continue reading to discover which cities rank as the most challenging for women in Idaho and the criteria used for this assessment.
The 10 Worst Cities To Be A Woman In Idaho
These ten cities represent the most challenging environments for women in Idaho. For a deeper understanding of the specific hurdles faced in these areas, continue reading or skip to the conclusion for insights on the best cities for women.
Methodology – How We Determined The Worst Cities For Women In Idaho
We evaluated each city based on four key metrics:
- Percentage of Women in Management (Lower percentage is worse)
- Percentage of Women Living in Poverty (Higher percentage is worse)
- Women’s Earnings Compared to Male Earnings (Lower ratio is worse)
- Percentage of Uninsured Women (Lower percentage is worse)
Data for the income gap was sourced from the Census American Community Survey, calculating the ratio of median male income to median female income to determine earnings per male dollar. For the poverty statistics, we focused on women living independently, excluding married women to present a clearer picture of single women’s financial status.
We also analyzed the percentage of women in management roles, as this reflects opportunities for advancement and leadership representation. Finally, uninsured rates were also obtained from the ACS.
Only cities in Idaho with populations exceeding 5,000 were included in this analysis.
1. Rupert
Women’s Earnings Compared to Male Dollars Earned: $0.57
Women in Management: 13.6%
Women Living in Poverty: 33.5%
Uninsured Women: 19.8%
Rupert ranks as the most challenging city for women in Idaho, characterized by low management representation and high poverty rates. Women in Rupert face significant barriers to financial stability and health insurance access, making it a difficult environment.
2. Emmett
Women’s Earnings Compared to Male Dollars Earned: $0.57
Women in Management: 27.2%
Women Living in Poverty: 27.4%
Uninsured Women: 24.9%
Emmett is the second most difficult city for women, struggling with high poverty rates and low representation in leadership roles.
3. Jerome
Women’s Earnings Compared to Male Dollars Earned: $0.63
Women in Management: 31.4%
Women Living in Poverty: 27.3%
Uninsured Women: 16.4%
In Jerome, women face significant challenges with only 31.4% in management and a considerable portion living in poverty.
4. Burley
Women’s Earnings Compared to Male Dollars Earned: $0.54
Women in Management: 34.6%
Women Living in Poverty: 23.8%
Uninsured Women: 13.4%
Burley ranks fourth, with a notable percentage of women uninsured and a significant number living in poverty.
5. Rexburg
Women’s Earnings Compared to Male Dollars Earned: $0.52
Women in Management: 16.6%
Women Living in Poverty: 41.7%
Uninsured Women: 6.9%
Rexburg, while slightly better than the previous cities, still presents challenges, especially with a significant poverty rate among women.
6. Mountain Home
Women’s Earnings Compared to Male Dollars Earned: $0.47
Women in Management: 31.8%
Women Living in Poverty: 17.0%
Uninsured Women: 12.9%
Mountain Home ranks sixth, with a significant earning gap and a concerning poverty rate for its women.
7. Twin Falls
Women’s Earnings Compared to Male Dollars Earned: $0.51
Women in Management: 33.6%
Women Living in Poverty: 17.5%
Uninsured Women: 12.0%
Twin Falls presents numerous challenges for women, with high poverty rates and inadequate access to healthcare.
8. Middleton
Women’s Earnings Compared to Male Dollars Earned: $0.65
Women in Management: 24.5%
Women Living in Poverty: 15.7%
Uninsured Women: 11.9%
Middleton also presents challenges, with a notable percentage of women living in poverty and earning less than their male counterparts.
9. Idaho Falls
Women’s Earnings Compared to Male Dollars Earned: $0.61
Women in Management: 29.9%
Women Living in Poverty: 18.0%
Uninsured Women: 8.9%
Idaho Falls presents a bleak outlook for women, with significant earning disparities and poverty rates affecting many.
10. Hailey
Women’s Earnings Compared to Male Dollars Earned: $0.69
Women in Management: 34.0%
Women Living in Poverty: 18.8%
Uninsured Women: 17.2%
Hailey, while ranking better than the previous cities, still presents significant hurdles for women, including poverty and healthcare access issues.
Summary On Worst Cities to Be A Woman In Idaho
The data highlights the cities where women in Idaho encounter the most difficulties. While systemic challenges persist statewide, these cities present particularly stubborn barriers. It’s essential to recognize that individual experiences may vary; however, the statistics reflect broader trends affecting women in these areas.
The disparities in earnings and opportunities underscore the need for continued advocacy and reform to improve conditions for women across Idaho.
Detailed List Of The Worst Cities For Women In Idaho
| Rank | Place | Pay Gap |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rupert | $0.57 |
| 2 | Emmett | $0.57 |
| 3 | Jerome | $0.63 |
| 4 | Burley | $0.54 |
| 5 | Rexburg | $0.52 |
| 6 | Mountain Home | $0.47 |
| 7 | Twin Falls | $0.51 |
| 8 | Middleton | $0.65 |
| 9 | Idaho Falls | $0.61 |
| 10 | Hailey | $0.69 |
| 11 | Preston | $0.49 |
| 12 | Weiser | $0.66 |
| 13 | Pocatello | $0.64 |
| 14 | Fruitland | $0.67 |
| 15 | Sandpoint | $0.67 |
| 16 | Caldwell | $0.73 |
| 17 | Lewiston | $0.62 |
| 18 | Nampa | $0.69 |
| 19 | Chubbuck | $0.56 |
| 20 | Ammon | $0.39 |
| 21 | Blackfoot | $0.59 |
| 22 | Post Falls | $0.66 |
| 23 | Coeur D’alene | $0.73 |
| 24 | Moscow | $1.00 |
| 25 | Boise City | $0.69 |
| 26 | Eagle | $0.55 |
| 27 | Star | $0.56 |
| 28 | Rathdrum | $0.68 |
| 29 | Garden City | $0.79 |
| 30 | Meridian | $0.67 |
| 31 | Hayden | $0.66 |
| 32 | Payette | $0.78 |
| 33 | Kuna | $0.82 |
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.
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