(NEXSTAR) — What makes a city “good” or “bad” for women? There are several factors to consider when moving to any new city but for women, there’s even more to consider.
Recently, WalletHub compared 182 U.S. cities across 15 metrics to find the “best” and “worst” cities for women. Cities received scores out of 100 based on metrics like median earnings for women, unemployment rates, abortion policies and access, and prevalence of rape victimization among women, among others.
Unfortunately, Jackson, Mississippi, comes in dead last in the ranking.
While the city’s score for women’s health care and safety isn’t the lowest among the pack, it’s only a few points off. Meanwhile, Jackson does rank last nationally in terms of women’s economic and social well-being.
The city received an overall score of 23.41 out of 100.
| Overall rank | City | Total score (out of 100) | Economic/social well-being rank | Women’s health care/safety rank |
| 182. | Jackson, MS | 23.41 | 182 | 178 |
| 181. | Gulfport, MS | 25.04 | 181 | 174 |
| 180. | Brownsville, Texas | 26.19 | 178 | 182 |
| 179. | Augusta, Georgia | 27.82 | 177 | 181 |
| 178. | Shreveport, LA | 29.33 | 179 | 169 |
Meanwhile, another Mississippi city didn’t fare too well in the rankings, either.
Gulfport ranked second-to-last, at no. 181, with an overall score of 25.04.
When it comes to the “best” city for women nationwide, WalletHub found Columbia, Maryland, to be the best place, with an overall score of 76.31 out of 100. Analyst Chip Lupo explains that Columbia has “the highest median annual wages for women after adjusting for the cost of living, at $59,230.”
The city’s ranking is helped by its relatively low unemployment rate for women and the fact that around 24% of businesses in Columbia are women-owned.
“Living in the right city can significantly improve a woman’s economic status, health, and safety,” said WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo. “The best cities for women offer job security and high pay, enabling women to achieve greater financial independence. They also prioritize safety, provide easily accessible medical care, and have high-quality hospitals, contributing to the best possible physical and mental health for women.”
To view the full ranking, visit WalletHub.
