Women now make up nearly half of the U.S. workforce, but progress toward equity remains uneven. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, women continue to earn less than men in nearly every sector, and representation in leadership roles still lags. A McKinsey & LeanIn.org report highlights that while women are entering the workforce in greater numbers, fewer are advancing to senior leadership. On top of that, rising housing and childcare costs add another layer of difficulty for women balancing careers with family responsibilities.
At Elevate Leadership, we focus on strengthening women’s career pathways through leadership development training for women. As a female-founded company, we know how systemic barriers and unconscious biases can make leadership more complex for women. We also see firsthand how realities like advancement gaps and affordability pressures shape women’s careers.
With these realities in mind, we analyzed the 100 most populous U.S. cities to determine where women in the workforce are best positioned to succeed today. By examining labor force participation, earnings, representation in management, work-life balance, and more, we identified the cities offering the strongest opportunities for women in the workforce today.
The results formed our 2025 Best Cities for Working Women ranking. Read on to learn more about our findings!
Top 10 Best Cities for Women in the Workforce
1. Minneapolis, MN
Minneapolis is the number one ranked city for working women in America. With a female labor force participation rate of 87% and more than half of management positions held by women, the city demonstrates strength in both opportunity and representation. It is not the first time Minneapolis has stood out in our research. The city also claimed the number one spot in our Best Cities for a Career Change ranking, showing its consistency as a strong job market. Women here earn a median income above many comparable metros, and the unemployment rate for females is low at 2.3%. One-bedroom apartments average $1,267, keeping housing costs more manageable than in many major markets. Add in lakes, bike paths, and a vibrant sports culture, and Minneapolis offers a mix of career opportunity and quality of life that few cities can match.
2. Richmond, VA
Richmond ranks second on our list for best cities for women in the workforce. Women participate in the workforce at a strong rate of 82.6%, and 56% of management positions are held by women. Childcare costs account for just 13.2% of household income, one of the lowest in the top ten. The city also has one of the lowest crime rates, providing an added sense of security. As the capital of Virginia, Richmond is known for its music, food, and historic neighborhoods, making it a city where women can balance work and play.
3. Denver, CO
In third place is Denver - backed by a thriving job market alongside unbeatable access to the outdoors and plenty of recreation. Median earnings are $55,815 and 61.2% of management positions are held by women. Female labor force participation is also high at 85.4%, although costs run higher with rent averaging $1,680 and childcare consuming 17.8% of household income. Despite these expenses, Denver is a beautiful city where women can build their careers while enjoying everything from mountain hikes to neighborhood coffee shops.
4. Lincoln, NE
Lincoln ranks fourth for its affordability and strong work-life balance. Women participate in the labor force at 81.8%, and unemployment is just 2.5%. Median rent sits at $1,264, and childcare costs are only 12.4% of household income. Lincoln also claimed the second spot in our Best Cities for Working Families data study. While median earnings are lower at $32,102, the city offsets this with one of the best work-life balance scores (80.4) and a low crime rate. With a walkable downtown and a welcoming community, Lincoln offers women a city that is both affordable and safe.
5. Omaha, NE
Omaha ranks fifth as one of the most affordable cities for working women. It also ranked as the second-best U.S. city for a career change. Women make up 80.8% of the labor force and hold 53.9% of management positions. Rent is especially budget-friendly at just $989 for a one-bedroom, and childcare costs are among the lowest in the top ten at 11.6% of household income. With short commutes and a strong sense of community, Omaha offers women a city where careers can grow without the financial strain found in larger metros.
6. Columbus, OH
Columbus is the sixth best city for working women and holds the tenth spot for best cities for work-life balance. Women make up 80.5% of the labor force and hold nearly half of management positions (49.4%). Housing is more accessible than in many large metros, with one-bedroom rent averaging $1,195, and childcare costs at 15.1% of household income. Columbus also stands out for safety, with one of the lowest crime rates in the top ten.
7. Durham, NC
Coming in seventh place, Durham is a great city for women in the workforce. Unemployment for women sits at 1.7%, one of the lowest across all cities studied. With one-bedroom rent averaging $1,365, childcare costs at 13% of income, and a relatively low crime rate compared to the other top cities. Durham balances opportunity with accessibility. Known for its role in the Research Triangle, the city also offers a mix of tech and healthcare jobs.
8. Seattle, WA
Been considering making a move to Seattle for a career change? In eighth place, Seattle offers some of the highest earnings, with women making a median of $66,747, and the strongest leadership representation in the top ten at 71.2% of management roles. Female labor force participation is also high at 85.9%. Costs are definitely on the higher end compared to other top cities, with rent averaging $1,895 and a higher cost-of-living index, but the city’s job market and access to both cultural amenities and the outdoors make it a top choice for women pursuing career growth.
9. Portland, OR
Known for its quirky culture and love of the outdoors, Portland lands in ninth place on our list of the best cities for working women. Women here hold 58.1% of management positions with labor force participation at 81.5%. Rent averages $1,413, and childcare costs take up 18% of income, the highest in the top ten. The trade-off for higher costs is living in a city where professional growth meets a distinctly Pacific Northwest way of life.
10. Washington, DC
As the nation’s capital, Washington, D.C. offers unmatched opportunities for women aiming for leadership roles. Ranking 10th overall, women here earn the highest median salary in the top ten at $75,563 and hold 70.1% of management positions. Workforce participation is also strong at 84.7%. Living costs are definitely on the costlier side, with one-bedroom rent averaging $2,284 and childcare consuming 16.5% of income. But the city’s global career pathways, world-class museums, and cultural diversity make it one of the most dynamic places for women to build their careers.
Methodology
To calculate our rankings, we created indices for a number of metrics relevant for working women. The metrics were grouped into three categories, each with its own weighting:
Category 1: Employment Landscape (50%)
Female Labor Force Participation Index (15%)
This is the percentage of women aged 16 and older who are either employed or actively looking for work. Data comes from the U.S. Census Bureau’s most recent ACS dataset (5 year American Community Survey).
Female Employment/Population Index (10%)
This measures the percentage of women aged 16 and older who are currently employed, compared to the total female population. Unlike female labor force participation, it does not include women who are unemployed and searching for work. This data was sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau’s most recent ACS dataset.
Female Unemployment Index (10%)
This data was sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau’s most recent ACS dataset.
Median Earnings for Women Index (10%)
This data was sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau’s most recent ACS dataset.
Women in Management Positions Index (5%)
This measures the percentage of management, business, and financial operations roles within a city that are held by women. This data was sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau’s most recent ACS dataset.
Category 2: Living Financial Costs (30%)
Median Rental 1BR Index (10%)
Rental costs for a 1 bedroom were gathered from Zumper from August 2025.
Childcare Cost as % of Income Index (10%)
The childcare cost as a percentage of income index is the childcare price as a share of median family income. This was sourced from the Women’s Bureau - Department of Labor.
Cost of Living Index (10%)
BestPlaces.net cost of living scores were measured based on the costs of food, utilities, transportation, healthcare, and childcare.
Category 3: Lifestyle & Community (20%)
Entertainment & Recreation Index (5%)
This index was derived from a number of different sources, including the U.S. Census, Tripadvisor, The Trust for Public Land, Numbeo, and Yelp.
- Total number of attractions in each city
- Restaurants per capita
- Total number of coffeeshops
- Hiking trails per capita
- Share of population with walkable park access
- Share of designated parkland areas
- Acres of parkland per capita
- Movie theaters per capita
- Public swimming pools per capita
- Tennis courts per capita
- Public beaches per capita
- Shopping centers per capita
Worklife Balance Index (5%)
This index was calculated from a previous Elevate Leadership data study, The Best Cities for Work-Life Balance in 2024, we conducted in April 2024.
Greenspace Index (5%)
Trust for Public Land’s city ParkScore ratings were measured across 5 categories: acreage, investment, amenities, access, and equity.
Crime Rate Index (5%)
This is based on the number of violent and property crimes committed per 1,000 residents by city. Data was sourced from Neighborhood Scout, reflecting the 2023 calendar year.
