We talk a lot about the best places to live, but sometimes it’s just as important to look at where things aren’t going so great.
A new study from Intimate Rose analyzed data from sources like Oxfam America, the Commonwealth Fund, and the National Women’s Law Center to figure out which states are actually the hardest for women to live and work in.
They looked at four big factors: healthcare access (35%), workers’ rights (30%), poverty rates among women (20%), and wage inequality (15%). Then they scored and ranked every state…and let’s just say, some places have a long way to go.
Let’s count down the 10 worst states to be a woman in 2025.
10. Pennsylvania
Final Score: 46.90
Pennsylvania just made it into the bottom 10. While it performs slightly better than others on this list, the state still struggles with a wide gender pay gap and inconsistent workplace protections for women. Healthcare access varies depending on where you live, and there’s still a lot of work to be done in terms of economic equity and anti-discrimination policies.
9. Iowa
Final Score: 45.77
Iowa’s low score is tied to its limited worker protections and lack of comprehensive paid leave policies. Women here earn noticeably less than men, and access to healthcare (especially reproductive care) isn’t exactly stellar. It’s not the worst on this list, but the combination of wage inequality and healthcare gaps lands Iowa in the bottom 10.
8. New Hampshire
Final Score: 45.18
This one surprised me. You’d think a New England state would perform better, but New Hampshire struggles with economic inequality for women and doesn’t offer strong workplace protections. The state’s healthcare access is better than some, but the lack of policies supporting paid family leave and wage transparency keeps it down in the rankings.
7. Utah
Final Score: 43.74
Utah has one of the widest gender pay gaps in the country, and its policies around family leave and worker protections are pretty minimal. While it does offer decent healthcare in some areas, overall access (especially for reproductive care) is lacking. It’s not a great place for women trying to achieve financial independence or long-term stability, according to this study.
6. Kentucky
Final Score: 42.14
Kentucky lands in sixth-worst territory because of high poverty rates among women and limited access to affordable healthcare. The state also lacks strong protections against workplace discrimination and doesn’t offer much in the way of family-friendly work policies. For women trying to get ahead financially or access basic care, the road here is pretty steep.
5. Mississippi
Final Score: 40.53
Mississippi has one of the highest poverty rates for women in the country and very few workplace protections. The gender wage gap is significant, and access to reproductive healthcare is limited at best. Between the economic challenges and lack of support systems, it’s, unfortunately, easy to see why Mississippi made the bottom five.
4. Alabama
Final Score: 40.22
Alabama’s ranking comes down to a mix of poor healthcare access, economic inequality, and weak legal protections for women. There’s a high rate of domestic violence in the state, and not nearly enough support for survivors. If you’re a woman looking for fair pay and reliable healthcare, Alabama is unfortunately still falling short.
3. West Virginia
Final Score: 36.32
West Virginia is struggling on almost every front. High poverty rates among women, limited access to healthcare (especially in rural areas), and a lack of policies to protect women in the workplace make it one of the toughest states to thrive in. There’s also a serious gap in programs supporting women’s leadership or business ownership.
2. North Dakota
Final Score: 36.26
North Dakota may not get a lot of national attention, but the numbers here speak for themselves. Women earn $0.76 for every dollar men make, and healthcare access is especially tough in rural areas. With very little in place when it comes to paid leave or childcare support, according to this study, women face a lot of unnecessary hurdles just to stay afloat.
1. Louisiana
Final Score: 26.38
Louisiana lands at the very bottom. Women in this state earn just $0.71 for every dollar earned by men, the worst pay gap in the country. Add in limited healthcare options, few protections in the workplace, and high rates of domestic violence, and it paints a tough picture. This study points to Louisiana having a long ways to go when it comes to creating a safe, equitable environment for women to live and work.
If you’re curious which states are actually getting it right for women, I put together a full breakdown of the best ones to live in, too.