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Best & Worst Cities for Women (2026)
WalletHub said Columbia led 182 cities because women there had the highest adjusted median wages at $63,920 and strong health and safety scores.
Columbia is the best city for women in 2026, according to an In-Depth Look at the Best Cities for Women, with the highest median annual wages for women at $63,920 after adjusting for cost of living.
Economic opportunities in Columbia drive its top ranking, with around 23% of businesses owned by women, the 31st-highest percentage, and a strong job market for female workers.
Seattle ranks second for women, featuring the 18th-highest median yearly wages at $50,138 and nearly 11% of women living in poverty, the 25th-lowest rate nationally.
Health access differs between cities: only 3.4% of women in Seattle lack health insurance, while Columbia boasts the 12th-highest cervical cancer screening rate and 3rd-highest mammogram rate.
Comparing national trends, unemployment for women reaches 13% in other cities, while Best Cities leaders report just over 3%, revealing stark economic disparities across the nation.