Find a Job You Really Want In
As we approach 2026, the landscape for women in the workforce continues to evolve, yet many challenges remain. Issues such as wage disparities, underrepresentation in leadership roles, and limited access to healthcare impact women’s daily lives across the United States. New Mexico is no exception, and understanding which cities present the greatest challenges for women is crucial for informed career decisions.
In this article, we delve into the specific cities in New Mexico that pose the most significant barriers for women. Our analysis highlights the cities where women face the toughest circumstances, shedding light on the continued need for progress and advocacy.
Curious about where your city ranks? Read on to discover the cities in New Mexico that are the most challenging for women.
The 10 Worst Cities To Be A Woman In New Mexico
These ten cities represent the areas in New Mexico where women face the toughest odds. Read on to understand the factors contributing to these challenges or skip ahead to see the best cities for women in New Mexico.
Methodology – How We Determined The Worst Cities For Women In New Mexico
Each city was assessed using four key categories:
- Percentage of Women in Management (Lower is worse)
- Percentage of Women Living in Poverty (Higher is worse)
- Women’s Earnings as a Percentage of Male Earnings (Lower is worse)
- Uninsured Women (Lower is worse)
We sourced income data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey. To calculate the income disparity, we divided the median earnings of male workers by that of female workers to see how much women earn for every dollar men make.
For poverty rates, we focused on women living without relatives to ensure we captured relevant data. This demographic tends to have a higher poverty rate and does not include married women.
The percentage of women in management roles was also derived from the ACS, as it provides insight into women’s leadership representation and opportunities for advancement.
Lastly, we analyzed the percentage of uninsured women in each city, once again utilizing data from the ACS.
Our study included only those cities in New Mexico with populations exceeding 5,000.
1. Lovington
Earnings Ratio (Women to Men): $0.38
Women in Management: 10.8%
Women in Poverty: 22.1%
Uninsured Women: 13.4%
Lovington ranks as the most challenging city for women in New Mexico, with low scores across all metrics. The high rates of poverty and lack of insurance highlight the struggles women face in this area.
2. Deming
Earnings Ratio (Women to Men): $0.57
Women in Management: 19.7%
Women in Poverty: 38.6%
Uninsured Women: 8.4%
Deming ranks second, with alarming poverty rates and a lack of leadership representation for women.
3. Hobbs
Earnings Ratio (Women to Men): $0.43
Women in Management: 24.2%
Women in Poverty: 20.4%
Uninsured Women: 11.7%
Women in Hobbs experience significant challenges, with only 24.2% in management positions and a notable poverty rate.
4. Santa Teresa
Earnings Ratio (Women to Men): $0.41
Women in Management: 29.4%
Women in Poverty: 24.5%
Uninsured Women: 9.3%
Santa Teresa ranks fourth, with nearly a quarter of women living in poverty and a concerning number lacking health insurance.
5. Lee Acres
Earnings Ratio (Women to Men): $0.66
Women in Management: 22.1%
Women in Poverty: 29.0%
Uninsured Women: 11.5%
Lee Acres is fifth worst, with improvements over the top four but still facing significant hurdles.
6. Sunland Park
Earnings Ratio (Women to Men): $0.61
Women in Management: 49.9%
Women in Poverty: 40.5%
Uninsured Women: 20.1%
Sunland Park ranks sixth, with a high percentage of women in management, yet a troubling poverty rate indicates systemic issues.
7. Chaparral
Earnings Ratio (Women to Men): $0.68
Women in Management: 48.5%
Women in Poverty: 45.2%
Uninsured Women: 19.6%
Chaparral presents a difficult environment for women, with high poverty rates and low earnings ratios.
8. North Hobbs
Earnings Ratio (Women to Men): $0.54
Women in Management: 25.6%
Women in Poverty: 8.7%
Uninsured Women: 12.5%
North Hobbs shows a concerning earnings ratio, highlighting the struggles women face in the workforce.
9. Gallup
Earnings Ratio (Women to Men): $0.84
Women in Management: 36.9%
Women in Poverty: 29.6%
Uninsured Women: 12.4%
Gallup women experience substantial challenges, with earnings that fall significantly short compared to their male counterparts.
10. Portales
Earnings Ratio (Women to Men): $0.47
Women in Management: 68.3%
Women in Poverty: 31.0%
Uninsured Women: 10.9%
Portales rounds out our list, with a significant portion of women enduring poverty despite a relatively high management participation rate.
Summary of the Worst Cities to Be a Woman in New Mexico
This analysis highlights the cities in New Mexico where women face the greatest challenges. While these issues are pervasive across the state, the cities listed here represent the most significant barriers for women, making career advancement and financial stability particularly difficult.
Although the disparities in earnings and opportunities vary, it is evident that the need for advocacy and systemic change remains crucial. While Lovington may not be the worst fit for every individual woman, the collective statistics illustrate the unique challenges faced by women in these areas.
Explore the detailed list below to see how other cities in New Mexico compare.
Detailed List Of The Worst Cities For Women In New Mexico
| Rank | Place | Pay Gap |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lovington | $0.38 |
| 2 | Deming | $0.57 |
| 3 | Hobbs | $0.43 |
| 4 | Santa Teresa | $0.41 |
| 5 | Lee Acres | $0.66 |
| 6 | Sunland Park | $0.61 |
| 7 | Chaparral | $0.68 |
| 8 | North Hobbs | $0.54 |
| 9 | Gallup | $0.84 |
| 10 | Portales | $0.47 |
| 11 | South Valley | $0.78 |
| 12 | Aztec | $0.64 |
| 13 | Carlsbad | $0.44 |
| 14 | Bloomfield | $0.51 |
| 15 | Shiprock | $0.94 |
| 16 | Los Chaves | $0.48 |
| 17 | Farmington | $0.56 |
| 18 | Bernalillo | $0.76 |
| 19 | Anthony | $0.86 |
| 20 | Clovis | $0.61 |
| 21 | Ruidoso | $0.67 |
| 22 | Las Vegas | $1.11 |
| 23 | Las Cruces | $0.87 |
| 24 | Roswell | $0.69 |
| 25 | Taos | $0.75 |
| 26 | Zuni Pueblo | $1.29 |
| 27 | Artesia | $0.58 |
| 28 | Grants | $0.97 |
| 29 | Alamogordo | $0.64 |
| 30 | Belen | $0.64 |
| 31 | North Valley | $0.82 |
| 32 | Truth Or Consequences | $1.05 |
| 33 | Silver City | $0.73 |
| 34 | Santa Fe | $0.93 |
| 35 | Albuquerque | $0.78 |
| 36 | Corrales | $0.67 |
| 37 | Los Lunas | $0.83 |
| 38 | Los Ranchos De | $0.51 |
| 39 | Rio Rancho | $0.74 |
| 40 | Eldorado At Santa | $0.71 |
| 41 | Los Alamos | $0.59 |
| 42 | White Rock | $0.54 |
| 43 | Socorro | $1.03 |
| 44 | Raton | $0.94 |
| 45 | Edgewood | $0.67 |
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.
