How Montana Stacked Up In New Rankings For Women

WalletHub just released its 2025 Best & Worst Cities for Women report, and the results are… interesting. Out of 182 U.S. cities, some are clearly rolling out the welcome mat for women, while others are lagging behind. The rankings looked at everything from pay and poverty rates to health care, safety, and even the share of women-owned businesses.

At the top? Columbia, Maryland, snagged first place, with Seattle and Overland Park, Kansas, rounding out the top three. On the flip side, Jackson, Mississippi, landed dead last at number 182. It’s a sharp reminder that geography plays a huge role in opportunity, especially for women.

So where does Montana land in this nationwide mix? Turns out, Big Sky Country holds its own. Missoula snagged a solid No. 41 spot, while Billings wasn’t far behind at No. 45. That means both cities outranked more than 130 other places across the country when it comes to creating conditions where women can thrive.

That is not bad, considering that WalletHub found that only 22 out of 250 metro areas nationwide report that women under 30 earn the same or more than their male peers. So, according to this study, the pay gap still is a factor, with the average woman making about 85 cents for every dollar men earn. But scoring two respectable spots in the top 50 shows Montana women are better positioned than many.

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While states like Washington and Maryland may grab the spotlight, Montana still put up a respectable ranking. Big skies, good trails, and now? A better-than-average place for women to call home.