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In 2026, although significant strides have been made towards gender equality, women in Montana still encounter various challenges affecting their professional and personal lives. These issues range from compensation disparities to underrepresentation in leadership roles. Understanding the landscape for women across the state is essential for those considering relocation or seeking new opportunities.
In this examination, we’ve identified the cities in Montana where women face the greatest obstacles. From economic factors to healthcare access, our analysis reveals how location impacts the quality of life for women in the state.
Continue reading to find out which cities rank as the worst for women in Montana and the metrics that informed our findings.
The 10 Worst Cities To Be A Woman In Montana
- Livingston
- Lewistown
- Lockwood
- Miles City
- Butte-Silver Bow (balance)
- Laurel
- Billings
- Bozeman
- Orchard Homes
- Havre
These ten cities represent the most challenging environments for women in Montana. Read on to explore the underlying reasons behind these rankings, or skip ahead to discover the cities that offer better prospects for women.
Methodology – How We Determined The Worst Cities For Women In Montana
Each city was ranked based on four key indicators:
- Percentage of Women in Management (Lower percentages are worse)
- Percentage of Women in Poverty (Higher percentages are worse)
- Women’s Earnings Relative to Men’s (Lower ratios are worse)
- Percentage of Uninsured Women (Lower percentages are worse)
To assess the income disparities between men and women, we utilized data from the Census’ American Community Survey. We calculated the ratio of median male earnings to median female earnings to determine how much women earn for every dollar earned by their male counterparts.
The poverty rate for women was also sourced from the ACS, focusing on women living independently without relatives. This demographic typically faces higher poverty rates compared to the general population, as it excludes married women.
We examined the percentage of women in management roles from the ACS to gain insights into women’s representation in leadership. This indicator is critical as women in leadership roles often advocate for other women within their organizations.
Lastly, we referenced the ACS for data on the percentage of uninsured women in each city.
Our analysis concentrated on cities in Montana with populations exceeding 5,000 residents.
1. Livingston
Women’s Earnings for Male Dollars Earned: $0.71
Women in Management: 33.4%
Women in Poverty: 18.3%
Uninsured Women: 9.6%
Livingston ranks as the most challenging city for women in Montana, with concerning statistics across all measured categories. The high poverty rate and significant uninsured population highlight the struggles faced by women in this city.
2. Lewistown
Women’s Earnings for Male Dollars Earned: $0.75
Women in Management: 27.9%
Women in Poverty: 16.3%
Uninsured Women: 10.3%
Lewistown comes in as the second most difficult city for women, with high poverty rates and low representation in management roles, illustrating the challenges that women face here.
3. Lockwood
Women’s Earnings for Male Dollars Earned: $0.62
Women in Management: 32.9%
Women in Poverty: 12.7%
Uninsured Women: 7.4%
In Lockwood, women face significant challenges, with a low percentage in management and a worrying poverty rate, indicating a lack of economic opportunity.
4. Miles City
Women’s Earnings for Male Dollars Earned: $0.66
Women in Management: 34.3%
Women in Poverty: 13.0%
Uninsured Women: 7.2%
Miles City ranks fourth, with a notable percentage of uninsured women and a high poverty rate among single women, underscoring the challenges faced by women in the area.
5. Butte-Silver Bow (balance)
Women’s Earnings for Male Dollars Earned: $0.75
Women in Management: 41.0%
Women in Poverty: 19.1%
Uninsured Women: 7.3%
Butte-Silver Bow (balance) ranks fifth. While women here have better management representation compared to the first four cities, significant issues remain, particularly regarding poverty and healthcare access.
6. Laurel
Women’s Earnings for Male Dollars Earned: $0.63
Women in Management: 24.1%
Women in Poverty: 9.5%
Uninsured Women: 5.6%
Laurel ranks sixth, with a particularly low percentage of women in management and a concerning poverty rate, highlighting the economic difficulties faced by women in this city.
7. Billings
Women’s Earnings for Male Dollars Earned: $0.66
Women in Management: 41.2%
Women in Poverty: 11.6%
Uninsured Women: 7.6%
Billings presents a challenging environment for women, characterized by significant earnings disparities and relatively high poverty levels, which hinder progress and opportunity.
8. Bozeman
Women’s Earnings for Male Dollars Earned: $0.75
Women in Management: 38.3%
Women in Poverty: 18.7%
Uninsured Women: 6.4%
In Bozeman, women face a considerable chance of living in poverty while earning only $0.75 for every dollar men make, illustrating a clear gap in economic equality.
9. Orchard Homes
Women’s Earnings for Male Dollars Earned: $0.69
Women in Management: 46.5%
Women in Poverty: 15.3%
Uninsured Women: 7.2%
Orchard Homes presents a tough situation for women, with significant income disparities and a high percentage of uninsured individuals, reflecting the overall economic climate.
10. Havre
Women’s Earnings for Male Dollars Earned: $0.67
Women in Management: 56.3%
Women in Poverty: 20.4%
Uninsured Women: 5.3%
Havre, while showing some potential with a higher percentage of women in management, still faces significant challenges, particularly with a high poverty rate among women.
Summary On The Worst Cities to Be A Woman In Montana
The cities listed above represent the most difficult environments for women in Montana. Across the state, women encounter numerous hurdles, but these cities particularly reflect the systemic issues that hinder progress.
While few cities in our analysis show women earning equal or higher than the median male income, the differences in earnings and opportunities across the rankings are stark. Each woman’s experience is unique, and while Livingston may be ranked the worst, individual circumstances can vary widely.
Explore the detailed list below to gain a clearer understanding of the challenges women face across Montana.
Detailed List Of The Worst Cities For Women In Montana
| Rank | Place | Pay Gap |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Livingston | $0.71 |
| 2 | Lewistown | $0.75 |
| 3 | Lockwood | $0.62 |
| 4 | Miles City | $0.66 |
| 5 | Butte-Silver Bow (Balance) | $0.75 |
| 6 | Laurel | $0.63 |
| 7 | Billings | $0.66 |
| 8 | Bozeman | $0.75 |
| 9 | Orchard Homes | $0.69 |
| 10 | Havre | $0.67 |
| 11 | Great Falls | $0.75 |
| 12 | Sidney | $0.67 |
| 13 | Whitefish | $0.97 |
| 14 | Evergreen | $0.74 |
| 15 | Anaconda-Deer Lodge County | $0.89 |
| 16 | Missoula | $0.92 |
| 17 | Kalispell | $0.85 |
| 18 | Helena Valley Southeast | $0.95 |
| 19 | Belgrade | $0.72 |
| 20 | Helena | $0.82 |
| 21 | Columbia Falls | $0.87 |
| 22 | Helena Valley West | $0.79 |
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.
