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The 10 Worst Cities for Women in Mississippi in 2026
As we move through 2026, it’s clear that while progress has been made in gender equality, women in the United States, including Mississippi, still face significant challenges. Issues such as wage disparities, representation in leadership roles, and access to healthcare continue to impact women’s lives across the country.
In this analysis, we’ve identified the cities in Mississippi that present the most difficulties for women. By examining key metrics, we highlight the stark differences in opportunities and living conditions for women in various locations throughout the state.
Read on to discover which cities rank as the worst for women in Mississippi and the factors that contribute to their standings.
The 10 Worst Cities for Women in Mississippi
These are the 10 worst cities for women in Mississippi. Keep reading to understand why these cities present unique challenges for women, or skip to the end for a glimpse at the best cities for women in the state.
Methodology – How We Determined the Worst Cities for Women in Mississippi
Each city was evaluated based on four critical factors:
- Percentage of Women in Management (Lower is worse)
- Percentage of Women in Poverty (Higher is worse)
- How much women earn per male dollar earned (Lower is worse)
- Uninsured Women (Lower is worse)
For income disparity, we utilized the Census’ American Community Survey. The income gap was calculated by dividing the median male income by the median female income to determine the amount women earn for every dollar earned by men.
The poverty rate for women was also drawn from the ACS. This figure reflects household incomes, focusing on women living independently without relatives, which often results in a higher poverty rate.
To understand the representation of women in management roles, we relied on ACS data as well, recognizing that increased female leadership can lead to greater opportunities for women in the workplace.
Lastly, we sourced data on uninsured women from the ACS to provide insights into healthcare access across different cities.
Only cities in Mississippi with populations exceeding 5,000 were included in this analysis.
1. Brookhaven
How Much Women Make for Male Dollars Earned: $0.56
Women in Management: 34.5%
Women in Poverty: 31.5%
Women Uninsured: 18.5%
Brookhaven ranks as the worst city for women in Mississippi, with low scores in key areas. Women here face significant challenges, including high poverty rates and limited access to healthcare.
2. Pascagoula
How Much Women Make for Male Dollars Earned: $0.51
Women in Management: 40.8%
Women in Poverty: 26.8%
Women Uninsured: 16.7%
Pascagoula is the second-worst city for women, with high rates of poverty and a concerning gender pay gap.
3. Forest
How Much Women Make for Male Dollars Earned: $0.84
Women in Management: 24.0%
Women in Poverty: 37.5%
Women Uninsured: 19.0%
In Forest, women’s representation in management is low, and poverty rates remain high, indicating considerable barriers for women seeking advancement.
4. Laurel
How Much Women Make for Male Dollars Earned: $0.62
Women in Management: 36.8%
Women in Poverty: 35.8%
Women Uninsured: 11.4%
Laurel is the fourth-worst city for women, with significant percentages of uninsured women and those living in poverty.
5. Kosciusko
How Much Women Make for Male Dollars Earned: $0.56
Women in Management: 25.9%
Women in Poverty: 42.5%
Women Uninsured: 7.1%
Kosciusko ranks fifth, with women facing poverty rates higher than the state average and low representation in management roles.
6. Greenwood
How Much Women Make for Male Dollars Earned: $0.71
Women in Management: 26.0%
Women in Poverty: 42.0%
Women Uninsured: 9.8%
Greenwood ranks sixth, with a high percentage of women living in poverty and limited representation in leadership.
7. Amory
How Much Women Make for Male Dollars Earned: $0.48
Women in Management: 16.4%
Women in Poverty: 22.4%
Women Uninsured: 9.5%
Amory is challenging for women, with a low percentage of women in management and high poverty levels.
8. Picayune
How Much Women Make for Male Dollars Earned: $0.50
Women in Management: 42.3%
Women in Poverty: 29.2%
Women Uninsured: 12.0%
In Picayune, women face a significant pay gap and a considerable percentage living in poverty.
9. Clarksdale
How Much Women Make for Male Dollars Earned: $0.67
Women in Management: 26.6%
Women in Poverty: 36.6%
Women Uninsured: 8.5%
Clarksdale women experience a high poverty rate and unequal pay, contributing to their difficult living conditions.
10. Greenville
How Much Women Make for Male Dollars Earned: $0.71
Women in Management: 59.5%
Women in Poverty: 37.7%
Women Uninsured: 16.9%
Greenville, while better than the previous cities, still poses significant challenges for women, including a high poverty rate.
Summary of the Worst Cities for Women in Mississippi
These cities represent some of the toughest environments for women in Mississippi. While challenges exist throughout the state, the circumstances in these locations are particularly dire.
It’s important to note that while the rankings highlight systemic issues, they don’t reflect the individual experiences of all women. Each woman’s situation is unique, shaped by personal circumstances and community dynamics.
For more information on the best cities for women in Mississippi, check out the complete list below.
Detailed List of the Worst Cities for Women in Mississippi
| Rank | Place | Pay Gap |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brookhaven | $0.56 |
| 2 | Pascagoula | $0.51 |
| 3 | Forest | $0.84 |
| 4 | Laurel | $0.62 |
| 5 | Kosciusko | $0.56 |
| 6 | Greenwood | $0.71 |
| 7 | Amory | $0.48 |
| 8 | Picayune | $0.50 |
| 9 | Clarksdale | $0.67 |
| 10 | Greenville | $0.71 |
| 11 | Columbus | $0.62 |
| 12 | Biloxi | $0.67 |
| 13 | Louisville | $0.70 |
| 14 | Bay St. Louis | $0.73 |
| 15 | Canton | $0.76 |
| 16 | Philadelphia | $0.66 |
| 17 | West Hattiesburg | $0.67 |
| 18 | Ripley | $0.91 |
| 19 | Columbia | $0.75 |
| 20 | West Point | $0.76 |
| 21 | Waveland | $0.65 |
| 22 | Indianola | $0.74 |
| 23 | Hattiesburg | $0.73 |
| 24 | Grenada | $0.83 |
| 25 | Gautier | $0.67 |
| 26 | Gulf Hills | $0.59 |
| 27 | Mccomb | $0.67 |
| 28 | Starkville | $0.71 |
| 29 | Vancleave | $0.57 |
| 30 | Meridian | $0.76 |
| 31 | Vicksburg | $0.80 |
| 32 | Tupelo | $0.60 |
| 33 | Ocean Springs | $0.65 |
| 34 | Diamondhead | $0.51 |
| 35 | Oxford | $0.75 |
| 36 | New Albany | $0.71 |
| 37 | Gulfport | $0.77 |
| 38 | Petal | $0.67 |
| 39 | Yazoo City | $0.79 |
| 40 | Natchez | $0.77 |
| 41 | Long Beach | $0.75 |
| 42 | Pass Christian | $1.04 |
| 43 | Holly Springs | $0.77 |
| 44 | Richland | $0.73 |
| 45 | Cleveland | $0.86 |
| 46 | St. Martin | $0.81 |
| 47 | Madison | $0.62 |
| 48 | Booneville | $0.84 |
| 49 | Horn Lake | $0.76 |
| 50 | Gulf Park Estates | $1.00 |
| 51 | Flowood | $0.76 |
| 52 | Corinth | $0.79 |
| 53 | D’iberville | $0.75 |
| 54 | Moss Point | $0.77 |
| 55 | Olive Branch | $0.69 |
| 56 | Jackson | $0.87 |
| 57 | Southaven | $0.74 |
| 58 | Senatobia | $0.81 |
| 59 | Aberdeen | $0.83 |
| 60 | Brandon | $0.62 |
| 61 | Pontotoc | $0.74 |
| 62 | Ridgeland | $0.76 |
| 63 | Pearl | $0.77 |
| 64 | Latimer | $0.73 |
| 65 | Hernando | $0.80 |
| 66 | Batesville | $0.87 |
| 67 | Clinton | $0.83 |
| 68 | Byram | $0.96 |
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.
