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As we move into 2026, the landscape for women in Pennsylvania remains complex, with persistent disparities in pay, representation, and access to opportunities compared to their male counterparts. Despite progress in some areas, challenges such as wage gaps, underrepresentation in leadership roles, and access to healthcare continue to affect women’s experiences across various cities.
In our updated analysis, we delve into the cities in Pennsylvania that present the most significant challenges for women today. By examining various factors, we reveal how location impacts the opportunities and quality of life for women in the state.
Continue reading to discover which cities rank as the most challenging for women in Pennsylvania and the metrics that inform our findings.
The 10 Worst Cities To Be A Woman In Pennsylvania
The following cities have been identified as the most challenging for women in Pennsylvania, based on our comprehensive research. If you’re interested in understanding why these cities rank as they do, keep reading or skip to the end for a look at the best cities for women in the state.
Methodology – How We Determined The Worst Cities For Women In Pennsylvania
Each city was ranked based on four key categories:
- Percentage of Women in Management (Lower is worse)
- Percentage of Women in Poverty (Higher is worse)
- Gender Pay Gap: How much women earn per male dollar earned (Lower is worse)
- Percentage of Uninsured Women (Lower is worse)
To assess the income gap between women and men by city, we utilized data from the Census’ American Community Survey. We calculated the gender pay gap by dividing the median male income by the median female income, thus determining how much women earn per male dollar.
For the poverty rate, we focused on women living without relatives, as this demographic typically faces higher poverty rates due to lower earnings. This approach provides a clearer picture of women’s financial challenges.
Additionally, we examined the percentage of women in management roles using ACS data to understand women’s representation in leadership positions, which is crucial for advancing gender equality in the workplace.
Finally, we again turned to the ACS for the percentage of uninsured women in each city. This data is essential for understanding access to healthcare and overall well-being.
Our analysis considered only cities in Pennsylvania with populations exceeding 5,000.
1. Millersville
How Much Women Make For Male Dollars Earned: $0.34
Women In Management: 35.8%
Women In Poverty: 22.3%
Women Uninsured: 13.9%
Millersville ranks as the most challenging city for women in Pennsylvania, with low scores across various metrics. Women here face a high likelihood of living in poverty and being uninsured, highlighting significant economic and healthcare disparities.
2. Coatesville
How Much Women Make For Male Dollars Earned: $0.57
Women In Management: 39.0%
Women In Poverty: 29.3%
Women Uninsured: 12.5%
Coatesville comes in second for women, marked by high poverty rates and a significant gender pay gap, making it a tough environment for women.
3. Bloomsburg
How Much Women Make For Male Dollars Earned: $0.46
Women In Management: 31.0%
Women In Poverty: 30.3%
Women Uninsured: 4.6%
Bloomsburg presents a challenging environment for women, with only 31.0% in management and a significant percentage living in poverty.
4. Berwick
How Much Women Make For Male Dollars Earned: $0.66
Women In Management: 29.4%
Women In Poverty: 22.8%
Women Uninsured: 6.8%
At number four, Berwick shows concerning statistics, with a notable portion of women lacking health insurance and facing poverty.
5. Uniontown
How Much Women Make For Male Dollars Earned: $0.70
Women In Management: 33.7%
Women In Poverty: 30.1%
Women Uninsured: 6.6%
Uniontown ranks fifth, with women facing challenges in both income and healthcare access.
6. West Chester
How Much Women Make For Male Dollars Earned: $0.42
Women In Management: 43.7%
Women In Poverty: 30.3%
Women Uninsured: 5.5%
Ranking sixth, West Chester has a significant percentage of women living in poverty, despite a higher presence in management.
7. Bristol
How Much Women Make For Male Dollars Earned: $0.59
Women In Management: 39.3%
Women In Poverty: 25.3%
Women Uninsured: 5.8%
Bristol’s poor statistics on income and insurance indicate a tough environment for women to thrive.
8. York
How Much Women Make For Male Dollars Earned: $0.77
Women In Management: 34.1%
Women In Poverty: 37.4%
Women Uninsured: 10.0%
York also presents significant challenges, with a high poverty rate and a substantial pay gap for women.
9. Oil City
How Much Women Make For Male Dollars Earned: $0.75
Women In Management: 24.0%
Women In Poverty: 21.9%
Women Uninsured: 8.3%
Oil City struggles with a significant pay gap and a noticeable portion of women living in poverty.
10. Punxsutawney
How Much Women Make For Male Dollars Earned: $0.48
Women In Management: 39.1%
Women In Poverty: 27.0%
Women Uninsured: 4.3%
Punxsutawney ranks tenth, where women face significant economic challenges, particularly in poverty rates.
Summary On Worst Cities to Be A Woman In Pennsylvania
These cities represent the hardest environments for women in Pennsylvania, reflecting systemic issues that continue to impede progress. While the challenges vary, the common thread is the struggle for equitable pay, representation, and access to essential services.
Despite some cities showing marginal improvements, the significant disparities in income and opportunities highlight the ongoing need for systemic change. Women in these cities often face unique challenges that can hinder their personal and professional growth.
Explore the comprehensive list below for further insights into the cities where women encounter the most significant hurdles.
Detailed List Of The Worst Cities For Women In Pennsylvania
| Rank | Place | Pay Gap |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Millersville | $0.34 |
| 2 | Coatesville | $0.57 |
| 3 | Bloomsburg | $0.46 |
| 4 | Berwick | $0.66 |
| 5 | Uniontown | $0.70 |
| 6 | West Chester | $0.42 |
| 7 | Bristol | $0.59 |
| 8 | York | $0.77 |
| 9 | Oil City | $0.75 |
| 10 | Punxsutawney | $0.48 |
| 11 | Reading | $0.67 |
| 12 | Willow Street | $0.56 |
| 13 | Gettysburg | $0.65 |
| 14 | Kennett Square | $0.62 |
| 15 | Elizabethtown | $0.62 |
| 16 | Lewistown | $0.64 |
| 17 | Titusville | $0.60 |
| 18 | Arlington Heights | $0.49 |
| 19 | Duquesne | $0.53 |
| 20 | New Kensington | $0.72 |
| 21 | New Castle | $0.63 |
| 22 | Tamaqua | $0.72 |
| 23 | State College | $0.59 |
| 24 | Tyrone | $0.68 |
| 25 | Sharon | $0.75 |
| 26 | Old Forge | $0.66 |
| 27 | Mckeesport | $0.78 |
| 28 | Lebanon | $0.77 |
| 29 | Allentown | $0.77 |
| 30 | Pleasant Hills | $0.57 |
| 31 | Williamsport | $0.86 |
| 32 | Blandon | $0.55 |
| 33 | Pittston | $0.66 |
| 34 | Carlisle | $0.62 |
| 35 | Shamokin | $0.57 |
| 36 | Beaver Falls | $1.03 |
| 37 | Scranton | $0.68 |
| 38 | Dubois | $0.63 |
| 39 | Ephrata | $0.67 |
| 40 | Ellwood City | $0.70 |
| 41 | South Williamsport | $0.71 |
| 42 | Hatboro | $0.63 |
| 43 | Red Lion | $0.64 |
| 44 | Franklin | $0.67 |
| 45 | Steelton | $0.79 |
| 46 | Stroudsburg | $0.85 |
| 47 | Huntingdon | $0.50 |
| 48 | Lionville | $0.54 |
| 49 | Wilson | $0.65 |
| 50 | Moosic | $0.67 |
| 51 | Olyphant | $0.71 |
| 52 | Bradford | $0.75 |
| 53 | Wilkes-Barre | $0.70 |
| 54 | Breinigsville | $0.64 |
| 55 | Leola | $0.64 |
| 56 | Bethlehem | $0.71 |
| 57 | Plymouth | $0.62 |
| 58 | Paxtonia | $0.64 |
| 59 | Aliquippa | $0.67 |
| 60 | Exton | $0.46 |
| 61 | Harrisburg | $0.93 |
| 62 | Archbald | $0.71 |
| 63 | Mckees Rocks | $0.72 |
| 64 | Clifton Heights | $0.65 |
| 65 | Fairless Hills | $0.63 |
| 66 | East Stroudsburg | $0.53 |
| 67 | Johnstown | $0.88 |
| 68 | Mount Carmel | $0.60 |
| 69 | Ambler | $0.69 |
| 70 | Pottsville | $0.69 |
| 71 | Connellsville | $0.70 |
| 72 | Perkasie | $0.56 |
| 73 | Lehighton | $0.74 |
| 74 | Oxford | $0.75 |
| 75 | Ancient Oaks | $0.56 |
| 76 | Corry | $0.61 |
| 77 | Erie | $0.77 |
| 78 | Folsom | $0.57 |
| 79 | Catasauqua | $0.66 |
| 80 | Norristown | $0.86 |
| 81 | Columbia | $0.85 |
| 82 | Monaca | $0.71 |
| 83 | Sanatoga | $0.67 |
| 84 | Schuylkill Haven | $0.66 |
| 85 | Chambersburg | $0.78 |
| 86 | Bellevue | $0.81 |
| 87 | New Holland | $0.44 |
| 88 | Penn Estates | $0.50 |
| 89 | Darby | $0.91 |
| 90 | West Mifflin | $0.66 |
| 91 | Mount Joy | $0.74 |
| 92 | Lancaster | $0.78 |
| 93 | Phoenixville | $0.91 |
| 94 | Butler | $0.69 |
| 95 | Downingtown | $0.67 |
| 96 | Sharon Hill | $0.70 |
| 97 | Hazleton | $0.76 |
| 98 | Chester | $1.02 |
| 99 | Dunmore | $0.66 |
| 100 | Wescosville | $0.51 |
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.
