The District of Columbia is the second-best place in the nation for women in 2026, trailing only Massachusetts, according to a new WalletHub report released during Women’s History Month.
“Despite improvements the U.S. has made over the years, women still lag behind men when it comes to economic prospects, executive positions and political representation,” said WalletHub analyst Milvionne Chery Copeland. “On top of tackling these important issues, the best states for women also ensure that they have access to high-quality health care, receive the same educational opportunities as men, and live in safe communities.”
WalletHub compared all 50 states and the District across 25 metrics measuring women’s economic and social well-being as well as health care and safety. The study examined median earnings for female workers, job security, poverty rates, abortion policies, preventive health care access, homicide rates and other indicators.
Massachusetts ranked first overall with a total score of 73.66. The District followed closely behind at 71.48. Maine placed third, Minnesota fourth and Maryland fifth. Rounding out the top 10 were Vermont, Connecticut, Hawaii, New York and Oregon.
Within the two major categories, D.C. ranked second in Women’s Economic and Social Well-Being and seventh in Women’s Health Care and Safety.
The report found that women in the District earn the highest median income in the country when adjusted for cost of living, at $52,569. D.C. also recorded the highest share of women who voted in the 2024 presidential election, at 80.5%.
Women in the nation’s capital also benefit from strong job stability. The study found that D.C. offers the best job security for women in the country, meaning women here are less susceptible to layoffs compared to other states.
“Company policies that improve workplace conditions for women also improve workplace conditions for men,” Elizabeth S. Smith, professor in the Department of Politics and International Affairs at Furman University in South Carolina.
“Such policies would include protection against discrimination and harassment, paid family leave, support for childcare and flexible work environments.”
The District also ranks ninth in the share of women-owned businesses.
Health measures were another bright spot. Nearly 88% of women in D.C. report being in good or better health, the highest percentage nationwide. The nation’s capital also has the second-lowest share of women who lack health insurance and ranks fourth for the quality of women’s hospitals.
However, the data also revealed challenges. D.C. placed 28th in women’s life expectancy at birth and ranked near the bottom nationally in high school graduation rates for women.
“On other issues like reproductive rights, the Dobbs decision returned power to the states which has resulted in more divergence between the states on reproductive policies,” Smith continued.
Massachusetts secured the top overall ranking in part because it has the lowest share of uninsured women at just 2 percent and the second-best hospitals for women’s health care. The Bay State also ranks as the best place to have a baby and the best state for working moms. Maine, which finished third overall, performed strongly in job security and unemployment measures for women, along with preventive health care access. Minnesota, ranked fourth, and Maryland, ranked fifth, also posted strong economic and health indicators.
At the bottom of the list, Louisiana ranked last overall, preceded by Oklahoma, Arkansas, Texas and Alabama.“States are diverging severely on issues of importance to women. Take stock of who you are, what your goals are, and what you want to prioritize in terms of your safety or the safety of loved ones,” offered Laura Mattoon D’Amore, a professor of cultural studies at Roger Williams University in Rhode Island. “Then research the different states to try to find one that has your interests as their priorities, too.”