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As we move into 2026, the challenges women face in the U.S. workforce remain pressing. Despite advancements in gender equality, women continue to encounter obstacles such as wage disparities, underrepresentation in leadership roles, and higher poverty rates. This article delves into the cities in Nevada where women face the most significant challenges, highlighting the disparities and providing essential insights for job seekers and policymakers alike.
After analyzing the worst states for women, we further examined the cities within Nevada to understand the nuances of women’s experiences across different locations.
The results clearly indicate that where you live significantly impacts women’s opportunities and quality of life.
The 10 Worst Cities For Women In Nevada
These ten cities rank the lowest for women in Nevada. Read on to explore the factors contributing to these rankings, or jump to the end for insights into the best cities for women.
Methodology – How We Determined The Worst Cities For Women In Nevada
Each city was evaluated based on four criteria:
- Percentage of Women in Management (Lower is worse)
- Percentage of Women in Poverty (Higher is worse)
- Women’s Earnings Compared to Male Earnings (Lower is worse)
- Percentage of Uninsured Women (Lower is worse)
To find the income gap between genders, we referenced the Census’ American Community Survey. We calculated the earnings ratio by dividing median male income by median female income.
The poverty rates for women were also derived from the ACS, focusing specifically on women living without relatives to provide a more accurate picture of economic vulnerability. Additionally, we analyzed the representation of women in management roles to assess leadership opportunities.
We also used ACS data to ascertain the percentage of uninsured women in each city. Our analysis included only cities in Nevada with populations exceeding 5,000.
1. Elko

Earnings for Women Compared to Male Dollars Earned: $0.56
Women in Management: 35.6%
Women in Poverty: 15.6%
Uninsured Women: 14.7%
Elko ranks as the most challenging city for women in Nevada, with low scores across key indicators. Women in Elko face high poverty rates and lack access to health insurance, highlighting significant struggles in their lives.
2. Winchester

Earnings for Women Compared to Male Dollars Earned: $0.78
Women in Management: 36.8%
Women in Poverty: 20.4%
Uninsured Women: 20.7%
Winchester takes the second spot on this list. The statistics indicate that women here experience significant economic hurdles.
3. Winnemucca

Earnings for Women Compared to Male Dollars Earned: $0.44
Women in Management: 38.8%
Women in Poverty: 12.7%
Uninsured Women: 13.6%
Winnemucca presents challenges for women, evidenced by low management representation and poverty rates.
4. Lemmon Valley
Earnings for Women Compared to Male Dollars Earned: $0.64
Women in Management: 10.1%
Women in Poverty: 7.2%
Uninsured Women: 21.8%
Lemmon Valley, with its lower management representation and high uninsured rates, ranks as the fourth worst city for women.
5. Fallon

Earnings for Women Compared to Male Dollars Earned: $0.76
Women in Management: 38.7%
Women in Poverty: 16.8%
Uninsured Women: 13.2%
Fallon ranks fifth, with women experiencing slightly better economic circumstances compared to the previous cities, yet challenges remain.
6. Incline Village

Earnings for Women Compared to Male Dollars Earned: $0.75
Women in Management: 36.6%
Women in Poverty: 12.5%
Uninsured Women: 11.4%
Incline Village ranks sixth, indicating that women still face considerable obstacles in their economic advancement.
7. Spanish Springs
Earnings for Women Compared to Male Dollars Earned: $0.56
Women in Management: 26.3%
Women in Poverty: 6.0%
Uninsured Women: 11.5%
Spanish Springs presents a tough environment for women, with low management representation and high poverty rates affecting their ability to thrive.
8. Sunrise Manor

Earnings for Women Compared to Male Dollars Earned: $0.82
Women in Management: 51.0%
Women in Poverty: 24.1%
Uninsured Women: 16.1%
In Sunrise Manor, women have a higher representation in management, yet the poverty rate indicates significant challenges.
9. Paradise
Earnings for Women Compared to Male Dollars Earned: $0.88
Women in Management: 41.4%
Women in Poverty: 18.6%
Uninsured Women: 14.2%
Paradise women face hurdles with earnings lagging behind men, compounded by high poverty rates.
10. Moapa Valley
Earnings for Women Compared to Male Dollars Earned: $0.42
Women in Management: 17.6%
Women in Poverty: 8.1%
Uninsured Women: 6.6%
Moapa Valley ranks tenth, showing that while conditions are somewhat better than previous cities, women still face significant challenges.
Summary of the Worst Cities for Women In Nevada
The cities listed here represent the most significant challenges for women in Nevada, with each city presenting unique obstacles that can affect women’s quality of life. While progress continues to be made in many areas, these cities show that there is still a long way to go in ensuring equal opportunities for women.
Although Elko is not universally the worst city for every woman, it highlights the systemic challenges that women in these areas must confront. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for those seeking to support women’s advancement in the workforce and communities.
For further insights, continue to explore the rest of the list below.
Detailed List Of The Worst Cities For Women In Nevada
| Rank | Place | Pay Gap |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Elko | $0.56 |
| 2 | Winchester | $0.78 |
| 3 | Winnemucca | $0.44 |
| 4 | Lemmon Valley | $0.64 |
| 5 | Fallon | $0.76 |
| 6 | Incline Village | $0.75 |
| 7 | Spanish Springs | $0.56 |
| 8 | Sunrise Manor | $0.82 |
| 9 | Paradise | $0.88 |
| 10 | Moapa Valley | $0.42 |
| 11 | North Las Vegas | $0.76 |
| 12 | Sun Valley | $0.86 |
| 13 | Las Vegas | $0.84 |
| 14 | Carson City | $0.78 |
| 15 | Indian Hills | $0.76 |
| 16 | Sparks | $0.71 |
| 17 | Fernley | $0.64 |
| 18 | Pahrump | $0.78 |
| 19 | Johnson Lane | $0.48 |
| 20 | Spring Valley | $0.83 |
| 21 | Cold Springs | $0.58 |
| 22 | Spring Creek | $0.46 |
| 23 | Dayton | $0.74 |
| 24 | Reno | $0.83 |
| 25 | Summerlin South | $0.65 |
| 26 | Boulder City | $0.54 |
| 27 | Whitney | $0.89 |
| 28 | Henderson | $0.72 |
| 29 | Enterprise | $0.80 |
| 30 | Gardnerville Ranchos | $0.87 |
| 31 | Gardnerville | $1.03 |
| 32 | Laughlin | $0.98 |
| 33 | Mesquite | $0.79 |

