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As we move into 2026, the landscape for women in the workforce continues to evolve, yet significant disparities remain. From pay gaps to underrepresentation in leadership roles, women in the U.S. encounter unique challenges that hinder their professional growth and financial stability.
In our latest analysis, we looked closely at the cities in Maine to identify where women face the most significant obstacles in terms of economic opportunities and quality of life.
The results reveal that location plays a critical role in determining the experiences of women across the state.
Continue reading to discover which cities rank as the worst for women in Maine, along with the metrics that informed our findings.
The 10 Worst Cities to Be a Woman in Maine
These ten cities represent the most challenging environments for women in Maine. Read further to understand the reasons behind their rankings or skip to the end to discover the best cities for women in the state.
Methodology – How We Determined the Worst Cities for Women in Maine
Our analysis ranked each city based on four key indicators:
- Percentage of Women in Management (Lower is worse)
- Percentage of Women in Poverty (Higher is worse)
- Women’s Earnings Compared to Men’s (Lower is worse)
- Uninsured Women (Lower is worse)
To determine the income disparity between women and men, we utilized the Census American Community Survey. We calculated the ratio of median male income to median female income to gauge how much women earn for every dollar earned by men.
For the poverty rate, we relied on the ACS, focusing specifically on women living alone to provide a more accurate picture of female poverty. This demographic tends to be younger and may earn less, leading to higher poverty rates that exclude married women.
Examining the percentage of women in management roles offered insight into women’s representation in leadership positions, which is vital for promoting gender equity in the workplace.
Finally, we assessed the percentage of uninsured women in each city using ACS data.
Only cities in Maine with populations exceeding 5,000 were included in our analysis.
1. Lewiston
How Much Women Make for Male Dollars Earned: $0.74
Women in Management: 36.0%
Women in Poverty: 21.2%
Women Uninsured: 9.4%
Lewiston ranks as the most challenging city for women in Maine, marked by low scores across multiple dimensions. With a high percentage of women experiencing poverty and lacking insurance, it’s clear that women in Lewiston face significant hurdles.
2. Waterville
How Much Women Make for Male Dollars Earned: $0.78
Women in Management: 24.3%
Women in Poverty: 21.1%
Women Uninsured: 6.7%
Waterville ranks second on the list, with concerning rates of poverty and limited representation of women in management roles.
3. Sanford
How Much Women Make for Male Dollars Earned: $0.69
Women in Management: 37.8%
Women in Poverty: 16.7%
Women Uninsured: 7.0%
In Sanford, women face challenges with a low percentage in management positions and a notable poverty rate.
4. Bangor
How Much Women Make for Male Dollars Earned: $0.84
Women in Management: 37.3%
Women in Poverty: 23.2%
Women Uninsured: 7.9%
Bangor ranks fourth, with a concerning percentage of uninsured women and a high poverty rate among solo female residents.
5. Orono
How Much Women Make for Male Dollars Earned: $0.74
Women in Management: 31.2%
Women in Poverty: 41.6%
Women Uninsured: 4.2%
Orono, while slightly better off, still presents significant challenges for women, particularly regarding poverty rates.
6. Bath
How Much Women Make for Male Dollars Earned: $0.66
Women in Management: 44.6%
Women in Poverty: 15.4%
Women Uninsured: 6.8%
Bath ranks sixth, where women have a relatively high representation in management but still face troubling poverty rates.
7. Auburn
How Much Women Make for Male Dollars Earned: $0.78
Women in Management: 47.2%
Women in Poverty: 13.9%
Women Uninsured: 8.2%
Auburn is challenging for women, with a high risk of poverty and an alarming pay gap.
8. Biddeford
How Much Women Make for Male Dollars Earned: $0.82
Women in Management: 41.2%
Women in Poverty: 18.1%
Women Uninsured: 6.4%
In Biddeford, women face a high chance of poverty and a pay gap that reflects broader systemic issues.
9. Skowhegan
How Much Women Make for Male Dollars Earned: $0.63
Women in Management: 49.7%
Women in Poverty: 18.1%
Women Uninsured: 5.7%
Skowhegan presents a troubling picture for women, particularly with a significant income disparity and notable uninsured rates.
10. Belfast
How Much Women Make for Male Dollars Earned: $0.58
Women in Management: 62.2%
Women in Poverty: 17.2%
Women Uninsured: 6.7%
Belfast, while showing better management representation, still has a significant poverty rate among women.
Summary on Worst Cities to Be a Woman in Maine
The cities listed above represent the most challenging environments for women in Maine, where various obstacles hinder their personal and professional growth. While the situation varies across the state, these cities exhibit particularly poor prospects.
Despite some cities showing progress, the pay gap remains a pressing issue, with few locations where women earn equal or more than their male counterparts. In conclusion, while Lewiston may not be the worst city for every individual woman, it certainly poses significant challenges for many.
Explore the detailed list below for a comprehensive view of the worst cities for women in Maine.
Detailed List of the Worst Cities for Women in Maine
| Rank | Place | Pay Gap |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lewiston | $0.74 |
| 2 | Waterville | $0.78 |
| 3 | Sanford | $0.69 |
| 4 | Bangor | $0.84 |
| 5 | Orono | $0.74 |
| 6 | Bath | $0.66 |
| 7 | Auburn | $0.78 |
| 8 | Biddeford | $0.82 |
| 9 | Skowhegan | $0.63 |
| 10 | Belfast | $0.58 |
| 11 | Brewer | $0.75 |
| 12 | Caribou | $0.81 |
| 13 | Presque Isle | $0.86 |
| 14 | Portland | $0.84 |
| 15 | Saco | $0.85 |
| 16 | Augusta | $0.75 |
| 17 | Rockland | $0.87 |
| 18 | Gardiner | $0.82 |
| 19 | Kennebunk | $0.58 |
| 20 | Old Town | $0.93 |
| 21 | Westbrook | $0.87 |
| 22 | Topsham | $0.69 |
| 23 | Ellsworth | $0.91 |
| 24 | Brunswick | $0.83 |
| 25 | Yarmouth | $0.69 |
| 26 | North Windham | $0.83 |
| 27 | South Portland | $0.86 |
| 28 | Gorham | $0.70 |
| 29 | Old Orchard Beach | $0.95 |
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.
