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As we move into 2026, the landscape for women in the workforce continues to evolve, yet significant disparities remain. Despite advancements in gender equality, many women across the United States still confront challenges that their male counterparts do not, including wage gaps, underrepresentation in management, and disproportionate household responsibilities.
In our analysis of Rhode Island, we’ve explored the best and worst cities for women. Our findings reveal considerable differences in opportunities and outcomes based on location.
Continue reading to discover the rankings of cities in Rhode Island and to understand the factors that contribute to our assessments.
The 10 Worst Cities To Be A Woman In Rhode Island
The cities listed above are the ten worst for women in Rhode Island. Keep reading to learn about the reasons behind these rankings, or skip ahead to discover the best cities for women in the state.
Methodology – How We Determined The Worst Cities For Women In Rhode Island
Each city was evaluated based on four key categories:
- Percentage Of Women In Management (Lower percentages indicate worse conditions)
- Percentage Of Women Living In Poverty (Higher percentages indicate worse conditions)
- Women’s Earnings Compared To Male Earnings (Lower ratios indicate worse conditions)
- Percentage Of Uninsured Women (Lower percentages indicate worse conditions)
To assess the income gap between women and men by city, we utilized data from the Census American Community Survey. The calculation involved dividing median male income by median female income to determine how much women earn per male dollar earned.
We also used ACS data to evaluate the poverty rate among women, focusing specifically on those living alone without relatives, as this demographic often faces unique financial challenges.
To understand the representation of women in leadership, we examined the percentage of women in management roles from the ACS, highlighting opportunities for advancement.
Lastly, we evaluated the percentage of uninsured women in each city using ACS data.
Our analysis covered only cities in Rhode Island with populations exceeding 5,000.
1. Providence
Women’s Earnings Compared To Male Earnings: $0.67
Women In Management Roles: 46.4%
Women Living In Poverty: 28.8%
Uninsured Women: 6.9%
Providence ranks as the worst city for women in Rhode Island due to low scores in all evaluated categories. Women in Providence face a high likelihood of living in poverty and being uninsured, highlighting the struggles they encounter.
2. Woonsocket
Women’s Earnings Compared To Male Earnings: $0.74
Women In Management Roles: 39.0%
Women Living In Poverty: 23.9%
Uninsured Women: 6.1%
Woonsocket comes in as the second worst city for women, marked by high poverty rates and generally unfavorable statistics.
3. Newport
Women’s Earnings Compared To Male Earnings: $0.72
Women In Management Roles: 37.4%
Women Living In Poverty: 15.7%
Uninsured Women: 4.8%
Newport presents challenges for women as well, with only 37.4% in management and 15.7% living in poverty.
4. Central Falls
Women’s Earnings Compared To Male Earnings: $0.85
Women In Management Roles: 42.9%
Women Living In Poverty: 34.4%
Uninsured Women: 15.8%
Central Falls ranks fourth, with a significant percentage of women lacking health insurance and a high poverty rate.
5. Valley Falls
Women’s Earnings Compared To Male Earnings: $0.77
Women In Management Roles: 34.4%
Women Living In Poverty: 13.5%
Uninsured Women: 4.6%
Valley Falls is the fifth worst city for women, offering slightly better opportunities than the previous four, but still facing notable challenges.
6. Newport East
Women’s Earnings Compared To Male Earnings: $0.57
Women In Management Roles: 49.1%
Women Living In Poverty: 11.3%
Uninsured Women: 6.6%
Newport East ranks sixth, with a significant number of women in management but a high poverty rate for women living alone.
7. Wakefield-Peacedale
Women’s Earnings Compared To Male Earnings: $0.69
Women In Management Roles: 43.2%
Women Living In Poverty: 12.7%
Uninsured Women: 4.4%
Wakefield-Peacedale poses significant challenges for women, with high poverty rates and a concerning lack of health insurance.
8. Cranston
Women’s Earnings Compared To Male Earnings: $0.72
Women In Management Roles: 39.2%
Women Living In Poverty: 9.9%
Uninsured Women: 3.8%
Cranston presents challenges for women, with a notable percentage living in poverty and earning significantly less than their male counterparts.
9. Pawtucket
Women’s Earnings Compared To Male Earnings: $0.81
Women In Management Roles: 46.7%
Women Living In Poverty: 19.8%
Uninsured Women: 5.1%
Pawtucket’s women face significant barriers, earning only $0.81 for every male dollar and with a considerable percentage living in poverty.
10. Cumberland Hill
Women’s Earnings Compared To Male Earnings: $0.75
Women In Management Roles: 27.9%
Women Living In Poverty: 4.7%
Uninsured Women: 0.9%
Cumberland Hill, while ranking tenth, still presents challenges for women, with a notable percentage living in poverty despite some favorable stats.
Summary On Worst Cities to Be A Woman In Rhode Island
The cities highlighted represent the toughest environments for women in Rhode Island. While challenges persist statewide, these cities exhibit particularly poor conditions for women.
It’s important to note that while no city offers women equal pay to their male counterparts, the disparities vary significantly across the state.
Ultimately, while Providence may not represent the experience of every woman, it encapsulates the unique challenges faced by many.
Explore the detailed rankings below.
Detailed List Of The Worst Cities For Women In Rhode Island
| Rank | Place | Pay Gap |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Providence | $0.67 |
| 2 | Woonsocket | $0.74 |
| 3 | Newport | $0.72 |
| 4 | Central Falls | $0.85 |
| 5 | Valley Falls | $0.77 |
| 6 | Newport East | $0.57 |
| 7 | Wakefield-Peacedale | $0.69 |
| 8 | Cranston | $0.72 |
| 9 | Pawtucket | $0.81 |
| 10 | Cumberland Hill | $0.75 |
| 11 | East Providence | $0.78 |
| 12 | Tiverton | $0.80 |
| 13 | Greenville | $0.71 |
| 14 | Warwick | $0.81 |
| 15 | Westerly | $0.78 |
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.
