We’re inching closer to gender equality, but we still have a long way to go before women are treated as equals to men. It turns out, where women live can make a big difference in the opportunities available to them, and in honor of Women’s History Month, a new report highlights which states are doing a good job of treating their female residents fairly.
- WalletHub’s annual list of the Best and Worst States for Women has just come out for 2026.
- They compared each state and Washington, D.C. on 25 key indicators of living standards for women in two major categories: Women’s Health Care & Safety and Women’s Economic & Social Well-Being.
- States were rated on factors ranging from the quality of women’s health care to their unemployment rate and the share of women-owned businesses.
- Massachusetts holds onto its title as the Best State for Women, landing at number one for Women’s Health Care & Safety and five for Women’s Economic & Social Well-Being.
- Maine, third overall, is number one for Women’s Economic & Social Well-Being.
- Louisiana lands at the very bottom of the list, making it the Worst State for Women this year.
The Top 10 Best States for Women in 2026
(Check out the complete list here)
- Massachusetts
- Washington, D.C.
- Maine
- Minnesota
- Maryland
- Vermont
- Connecticut
- Hawaii
- New York
- Oregon
The 10 Worst States for Women in 2026
- Louisiana
- Oklahoma
- Arkansas
- Texas
- Alabama
- Wyoming
- South Carolina
- West Virginia
- Mississippi
- Idaho
Source: WalletHub
photo: GETTY