WalletHub

March 1. In 2023, women in some parts of America still get the short end of the stick — even as they outnumber men in most states. For instance, women represent more than two-thirds of all minimum-wage workers in the U.S. Their political representation also suffers, as women make up nearly 51 percent of the U.S. population but only 24 percent of the Senate and 28%percent of the House of Representatives.

In order to determine how women are faring and where they can find the best opportunities relative to where they live, WalletHub compared the 50 states and the District of Columbia across 25 key indicators of living standards for women. Our data set ranges from median earnings for female workers to women’s preventive health care to the female homicide rate.

NC ranked in the bottom half at No. 28 of 51.  The best states, starting at the top, are Vermont,  New York, Massachusetts, Minnesota and Connecticut, according to the survey. The worst states are Georgia, Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi.

Best vs. worst

—The District of Columbia has the highest median earnings for female workers (adjusted for cost of living), $42,254, which is 1.7 times higher than in Hawaii, the lowest at $25,498.

—The District of Columbia has the highest share of women who voted in the 2020 presidential election, 86.00 percent, which is 1.5 times higher than in West Virginia, the lowest at 56.00 percent.

—New Hampshire has the lowest share of women living in poverty, 8.30 percent, which is 2.6 times lower than in Mississippi, the highest at 21.40 percent.

—Alaska has the highest share of women-owned businesses, 24.71 percent, which is 1.6 times higher than in West Virginia, the lowest at 15.18 percent.

—Massachusetts has the lowest female uninsured rate, 2.20 percent, which is 7.6 times lower than in Texas, the highest at 16.80 percent.