The 10 Worst Cities For Women In New York For 2026

As we step into 2026, the landscape for women in the workforce continues to evolve, yet challenges remain. Women in the United States still grapple with issues such as wage disparities, underrepresentation in leadership roles, and higher risks of poverty compared to their male counterparts. This article explores which cities in New York provide the least favorable conditions for women based on various critical metrics.

After analyzing the worst states for women, we focused on pinpointing the cities in New York that pose significant obstacles for women. The findings reveal that location plays a crucial role in the experiences of women in the workforce.

Continue reading to discover the rankings and the factors that contribute to the status of women in these cities.

The 10 Worst Cities To Be A Woman In New York

The cities listed here represent the most challenging environments for women in New York. Read further to understand the reasons behind these rankings, or skip to the conclusion for insights on the best cities for women in New York.

Methodology – How We Determined The Worst Cities For Women In New York

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 Compared to Male Earnings (Lower is worse)
Percentage of Uninsured Women (Lower is worse)

To assess the income disparity between women and men by city, we utilized the Census’ American Community Survey. By dividing the median male income by the median female income, we calculated how much women earn for every dollar earned by men.

For the percentage of women living in poverty, we relied on ACS data. This poverty rate considers household income, which includes contributions from spouses and other relatives. To focus solely on women, we examined those living without relatives, a demographic that typically experiences higher poverty rates.

The representation of women in management was also sourced from the ACS, reflecting women’s access to leadership positions. Since women often support other women’s advancement, this metric sheds light on both personal achievements and career growth opportunities.

Finally, we again referenced the ACS for data on the percentage of uninsured women in each city, focusing on urban areas with populations exceeding 5,000.

1. Viola

Women’s Earnings Compared to Male Dollars Earned: $0.59
Women in Management: 25.1%
Women in Poverty: 14.7%
Uninsured Women: 20.3%

Viola is ranked as the worst city for women in New York, primarily due to its low scores across all categories. Women in Viola face significant challenges, with a high likelihood of living in poverty and lacking health insurance.

2. Monsey

Women’s Earnings Compared to Male Dollars Earned: $0.56
Women in Management: 13.8%
Women in Poverty: 42.9%
Uninsured Women: 3.5%

Monsey holds the second-worst position for women, marked by high poverty rates and inadequate representation in management roles.

3. Southold

Women’s Earnings Compared to Male Dollars Earned: $0.47
Women in Management: 22.9%
Women in Poverty: 9.6%
Uninsured Women: 6.0%

Southold presents a challenging environment for women, with only 22.9% in management and a notable poverty rate among women.

4. West Haverstraw

West Haverstraw, NY

Source: Wikipedia User Alexisrael | CC BY-SA 3.0

Women’s Earnings Compared to Male Dollars Earned: $0.62
Women in Management: 21.3%
Women in Poverty: 9.6%
Uninsured Women: 7.6%

West Haverstraw ranks fourth, with a concerning percentage of uninsured women and a significant number of women living in poverty.

5. Spring Valley

Spring Valley, NY

Source: Wikipedia User Daniel Case | CC BY-SA 3.0

Women’s Earnings Compared to Male Dollars Earned: $0.74
Women in Management: 32.3%
Women in Poverty: 29.1%
Uninsured Women: 15.6%

Spring Valley ranks fifth, offering slightly better opportunities than the previous four cities, yet poverty remains a significant issue for women here.

6. Inwood

Women’s Earnings Compared to Male Dollars Earned: $0.59
Women in Management: 39.2%
Women in Poverty: 17.4%
Uninsured Women: 9.4%

Inwood, at sixth place, shows a 39.2% representation of women in management, yet a notable proportion of women still face poverty.

7. Norwich

Norwich, NY

Source: Public domain

Women’s Earnings Compared to Male Dollars Earned: $0.58
Women in Management: 20.0%
Women in Poverty: 25.7%
Uninsured Women: 2.4%

Norwich presents considerable challenges for women, with high poverty rates and low representation in management roles.

8. Peekskill

Peekskill, NY

Source: Wikipedia User Daniel Case | GFDL

Women’s Earnings Compared to Male Dollars Earned: $0.71
Women in Management: 29.6%
Women in Poverty: 13.7%
Uninsured Women: 9.9%

Peekskill is not particularly favorable for women either, with a significant percentage living in poverty and earning less compared to men.

9. Woodbury

Women’s Earnings Compared to Male Dollars Earned: $0.50
Women in Management: 30.8%
Women in Poverty: 7.2%
Uninsured Women: 5.0%

Woodbury presents challenges for women, with significant earnings disparities and a notable portion of uninsured women.

10. Calverton

Calverton, NY

Source: Wikipedia

Women’s Earnings Compared to Male Dollars Earned: $0.72
Women in Management: 6.9%
Women in Poverty: 12.4%
Uninsured Women: 7.0%

Calverton, while slightly better than the previous cities, still presents significant challenges for women, particularly regarding poverty rates.

Summary Of The Worst Cities To Be A Woman In New York

These cities represent the most challenging environments for women in New York, highlighting systemic issues that persist despite progress in many areas. The disparities in earnings, representation, and health insurance access underscore the need for continued advocacy and reform.

While Viola may not be the worst city for every individual woman, the collective challenges faced by women in these cities reveal significant barriers to success and well-being. Check out the detailed list below to see where your city stands.

Detailed List Of The Worst Cities For Women In New York

Rank	Place	Pay Gap
1	Viola	$0.59
2	Monsey	$0.56
3	Southold	$0.47
4	West Haverstraw	$0.62
5	Spring Valley	$0.74
6	Inwood	$0.59
7	Norwich	$0.58
8	Peekskill	$0.71
9	Woodbury	$0.50
10	Calverton	$0.72
11	Glen Cove	$0.70
12	Manorhaven	$0.77
13	Kiryas Joel	$0.46
14	Manhasset	$0.52
15	Webster Village	$0.78
16	Watertown	$0.70
17	Massena	$0.62
18	Ithaca	$0.48
19	Sleepy Hollow	$0.78
20	Scotchtown	$0.67
21	Kaser	$0.61
22	Brockport	$0.62
23	Ilion	$0.54
24	Roslyn Heights	$0.66
25	Plattsburgh	$0.76
26	Fairport	$0.64
27	Uniondale	$0.71
28	Mastic	$0.68
29	Salamanca	$0.86
30	Tuckahoe	$0.71
31	Hornell	$0.68
32	Seneca Falls	$0.74
33	Newburgh	$0.74
34	Selden	$0.71
35	Garden City Park	$0.68
36	Suffern	$0.74
37	Nyack	$0.76
38	Lindenhurst	$0.59
39	Rome	$0.73
40	Big Flats	$0.54
41	New Cassel	$0.82
42	Highland	$0.62
43	Cortland	$0.51
44	Great Neck Plaza	$0.62
45	Harrison	$0.48
46	Carmel Hamlet	$0.47
47	Airmont	$0.75
48	Saranac Lake	$1.00
49	Manorville	$0.59
50	Port Jefferson	$0.57
51	Brighton	$0.66
52	South Lockport	$0.65
53	Elmira	$0.90
54	Mechanicville	$0.80
55	Terryville	$0.76
56	North Bellport	$0.78
57	White Plains	$0.74
58	Jericho	$0.38
59	East Patchogue	$0.71
60	South Huntington	$0.67
61	Gloversville	$0.87
62	Mamaroneck	$0.74
63	Lackawanna	$0.84
64	Harris Hill	$0.46
65	Dix Hills	$0.51
66	Great Neck	$0.46
67	Port Chester	$0.80
68	North Bay Shore	$0.71
69	Medina	$0.61
70	Central Islip	$0.79
71	Irvington	$0.48
72	Herkimer	$0.75
73	Hudson Falls	$0.68
74	Rye Brook	$0.37
75	Ballston Spa	$0.54
76	Amsterdam	$0.75
77	Jamestown	$0.75
78	Briarcliff Manor	$0.42
79	Huntington Station	$0.77
80	North Babylon	$0.73
81	East Islip	$0.65
82	East Shoreham	$0.55
83	Kings Park	$0.51
84	Brentwood	$0.81
85	West Hempstead	$0.71
86	Oakdale	$0.66
87	Fairmount	$0.77
88	Long Beach	$0.65
89	Rye	$0.46
90	Port Jefferson Station	$0.53
91	Lake Ronkonkoma	$0.59
92	Watervliet	$0.86
93	Mount Sinai	$0.73
94	Elwood	$0.53
95	Johnson City	$0.78
96	Copiague	$0.68
97	Syracuse	$0.84
98	Centereach	$0.65
99	Olean	$0.70
100	Bronxville	$0.36

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Author

Kathy Morris

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.

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