Find a Job You Really Want In
As we progress into 2026, challenges for women in the workforce continue to evolve. Despite advancements, women still encounter significant obstacles compared to their male colleagues, including pay disparities, underrepresentation in leadership roles, and barriers to healthcare access. Understanding where these challenges are most pronounced can help inform efforts to create equitable opportunities.
After analyzing states across the U.S., we zeroed in on Massachusetts to identify both the worst and best cities for women. The findings reveal that geographical factors play a crucial role in women’s experiences in the workforce.
Continue reading to find out which cities rank as the most challenging for women in Massachusetts and the criteria used to make these determinations.
The 10 Worst Cities To Be A Woman In Massachusetts
These ten cities represent the most challenging environments for women in Massachusetts, highlighting significant disparities in opportunity and support. For a deeper understanding of why these cities rank poorly, or to see the best cities for women in the state, keep reading.
Methodology – How We Determined The Worst Cities For Women In Massachusetts
Each city was evaluated based on four key categories:
- Percentage of Women in Management (Lower is worse)
- Percentage of Women in Poverty (Higher is worse)
- Women’s Earnings as a Percentage of Male Earnings (Lower is worse)
- Uninsured Women (Lower is worse)
To assess the income gap between women and men by city, we utilized data from the Census American Community Survey. The comparative analysis for median earnings was determined by dividing median male income by median female income.
For the percentage of women living in poverty, we referenced ACS data focused specifically on women living alone, as this demographic tends to face higher poverty rates. This measure excludes married women and provides a more accurate picture of single women’s financial challenges.
We also examined the representation of women in management roles using ACS data, as greater representation often correlates with improved opportunities for advancement.
Finally, we again referenced the ACS for data on uninsured women in each city. Only cities in Massachusetts with populations exceeding 5,000 were considered for this analysis.
1. Bridgewater
Women’s Earnings for Male Dollars Earned: $0.70
Women in Management: 29.7%
Women in Poverty: 25.8%
Uninsured Women: 3.1%
Bridgewater ranks as the worst city for women in Massachusetts, with low scores across all evaluated categories. The high percentage of women living in poverty and lacking health insurance illustrates the challenges faced by women here.
2. Milford
Women’s Earnings for Male Dollars Earned: $0.66
Women in Management: 27.7%
Women in Poverty: 10.5%
Uninsured Women: 3.0%
Milford is the second most challenging city for women, marked by high poverty levels and overall unfavorable statistics for women’s economic security.
3. Whitinsville
Women’s Earnings for Male Dollars Earned: $0.59
Women in Management: 22.1%
Women in Poverty: 7.1%
Uninsured Women: 3.4%
In Whitinsville, women’s representation in management is low, and poverty remains a significant issue, making it a difficult environment for women.
4. Hudson
Women’s Earnings for Male Dollars Earned: $0.57
Women in Management: 39.6%
Women in Poverty: 8.2%
Uninsured Women: 4.1%
Hudson ranks fourth, with a concerning percentage of uninsured women and a notable poverty rate among single women.
5. Southbridge Town
Women’s Earnings for Male Dollars Earned: $0.77
Women in Management: 29.7%
Women in Poverty: 23.2%
Uninsured Women: 2.6%
Southbridge Town offers slightly better opportunities compared to previous cities, yet still presents significant challenges for its female residents.
6. Chelsea
Women’s Earnings for Male Dollars Earned: $0.78
Women in Management: 38.6%
Women in Poverty: 21.8%
Uninsured Women: 4.2%
Chelsea has a relatively high percentage of women in management, yet the poverty rate among women remains a critical concern.
7. Everett
Women’s Earnings for Male Dollars Earned: $0.74
Women in Management: 41.6%
Women in Poverty: 16.0%
Uninsured Women: 4.6%
Everett presents a challenging environment for women, indicated by high poverty rates and limited healthcare coverage.
8. Lynn
Women’s Earnings for Male Dollars Earned: $0.74
Women in Management: 43.1%
Women in Poverty: 19.4%
Uninsured Women: 3.8%
While Lynn has a reasonable percentage of women in management, the poverty rates indicate significant struggles for many women living there.
9. Revere
Women’s Earnings for Male Dollars Earned: $0.74
Women in Management: 40.7%
Women in Poverty: 15.0%
Uninsured Women: 3.7%
Revere women face a challenging economic landscape, with a significant percentage living in poverty and a notable pay gap compared to men.
10. Framingham
Women’s Earnings for Male Dollars Earned: $0.65
Women in Management: 45.5%
Women in Poverty: 11.4%
Uninsured Women: 4.8%
Framingham, while slightly better positioned than the previous cities, still presents significant challenges for women, particularly regarding poverty and healthcare access.
Summary On Worst Cities to Be A Woman In Massachusetts
The cities listed above highlight the areas in Massachusetts where women face the most significant challenges. Although statewide initiatives are aimed at improving women’s opportunities, these cities lag behind in providing equitable support and resources.
While no city can be universally deemed the worst for every woman, the data indicates that residents in these cities encounter unique hurdles in their professional and personal lives.
Explore the complete list below to understand the full landscape of women’s experiences across Massachusetts.
Detailed List Of The Worst Cities For Women In Massachusetts
| Rank | Place | Pay Gap |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bridgewater | $0.70 |
| 2 | Milford | $0.66 |
| 3 | Whitinsville | $0.59 |
| 4 | Hudson | $0.57 |
| 5 | Southbridge Town | $0.77 |
| 6 | Chelsea | $0.78 |
| 7 | Everett | $0.74 |
| 8 | Lynn | $0.74 |
| 9 | Revere | $0.74 |
| 10 | Framingham | $0.65 |
| 11 | Bliss Corner | $0.55 |
| 12 | Saugus | $0.66 |
| 13 | Leominster | $0.75 |
| 14 | Malden | $0.74 |
| 15 | Marlborough | $0.66 |
| 16 | Nantucket | $0.74 |
| 17 | Barnstable Town | $0.71 |
| 18 | Lowell | $0.79 |
| 19 | West Springfield | $0.71 |
| 20 | Scituate | $0.48 |
| 21 | Maynard | $0.63 |
| 22 | Athol | $0.69 |
| 23 | Clinton | $0.87 |
| 24 | Salem | $0.65 |
| 25 | Adams | $0.69 |
| 26 | Lawrence | $0.80 |
| 27 | Westfield | $0.66 |
| 28 | Spencer | $0.99 |
| 29 | Wellesley | $0.16 |
| 30 | Agawam Town | $0.71 |
| 31 | Foxborough | $0.75 |
| 32 | Needham | $0.42 |
| 33 | Middleborough Center | $0.80 |
| 34 | Marblehead | $0.52 |
| 35 | Gloucester | $0.67 |
| 36 | Greenfield Town | $0.74 |
| 37 | Chicopee | $0.71 |
| 38 | Fall River | $0.70 |
| 39 | Methuen | $0.72 |
| 40 | New Bedford | $0.77 |
| 41 | Amherst Center | $0.91 |
| 42 | Northborough | $0.62 |
| 43 | Holyoke | $0.83 |
| 44 | Haverhill | $0.67 |
| 45 | Worcester | $0.77 |
| 46 | Beverly | $0.59 |
| 47 | Franklin | $0.60 |
| 48 | Pinehurst | $0.65 |
| 49 | East Falmouth | $0.61 |
| 50 | Boston | $0.81 |
| 51 | Peabody | $0.69 |
| 52 | Longmeadow | $0.62 |
| 53 | Newburyport | $0.57 |
| 54 | Somerset | $0.65 |
| 55 | Plymouth | $0.71 |
| 56 | Pittsfield | $0.74 |
| 57 | Burlington | $0.57 |
| 58 | Springfield | $0.85 |
| 59 | Lexington | $0.51 |
| 60 | Fitchburg | $0.80 |
| 61 | Amesbury | $0.75 |
| 62 | Brockton | $0.84 |
| 63 | Yarmouth Port | $0.57 |
| 64 | Attleboro | $0.78 |
| 65 | Newton | $0.55 |
| 66 | Woburn | $0.75 |
| 67 | Brookline | $0.73 |
| 68 | Northampton | $0.57 |
| 69 | Belmont | $0.69 |
| 70 | Lynnfield | $0.53 |
| 71 | Winchester | $0.56 |
| 72 | Gardner | $0.84 |
| 73 | Quincy | $0.84 |
| 74 | Ocean Bluff-Brant Rock | $0.52 |
| 75 | Wakefield | $0.68 |
| 76 | Waltham | $0.83 |
| 77 | South Yarmouth | $0.77 |
| 78 | Reading | $0.60 |
| 79 | Medford | $0.77 |
| 80 | Cambridge | $0.80 |
| 81 | North Adams | $0.95 |
| 82 | Randolph | $0.94 |
| 83 | Danvers | $0.75 |
| 84 | Ware | $0.86 |
| 85 | Swampscott | $0.60 |
| 86 | Winthrop Town | $0.81 |
| 87 | Taunton | $0.75 |
| 88 | Norwood | $0.74 |
| 89 | Somerville | $0.83 |
| 90 | Webster | $0.95 |
| 91 | Sharon | $0.70 |
| 92 | Arlington | $0.69 |
| 93 | Dedham | $0.77 |
| 94 | Cochituate | $0.54 |
| 95 | Andover | $0.57 |
| 96 | Kingston | $0.49 |
| 97 | Holbrook | $0.80 |
| 98 | West Yarmouth | $0.90 |
| 99 | Watertown | $0.80 |
| 100 | Abington | $0.70 |
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.
