News Summary
A WalletHub analysis highlights New Orleans, Baton Rouge, and Shreveport as among the worst places for women in the U.S. to live and work. The 2025 study ranks these cities poorly in economic opportunities, healthcare, and safety. As the pay gap worsens and career opportunities diminish, young women face significant challenges that may drive them to seek better options elsewhere. The findings emphasize the urgent need for improvements in economic development, healthcare access, and women’s quality of life in Louisiana.
New Orleans, Louisiana – Three of Louisiana’s largest cities—New Orleans, Baton Rouge, and Shreveport—have been highlighted in a recent analysis by WalletHub as some of the worst places for women to live and work in the United States. This ranking is drawn from WalletHub’s 2025 study, which evaluated 182 cities nationwide based on economic, health, and safety factors that impact women.
In the analysis, New Orleans is ranked 165th overall, placing it 150th for economic opportunities and 124th for healthcare and safety. Baton Rouge shows an even poorer overall rank at 175th and has the 4th worst economic ranking at 173rd. Shreveport ranks the lowest among the Louisiana cities assessed, with an overall position of 179th, scoring 171st for economic opportunity and 167th for healthcare and safety.
Poor Performance in Key Areas
The WalletHub study identified a range of factors contributing to the poor rankings of Louisiana cities regarding women’s quality of life. Key areas such as wages, business ownership opportunities, and healthcare access were highlighted as specific shortcomings. Nationwide, women earn approximately 85 cents for every dollar earned by men; however, the statistics are even lower in Louisiana cities.
The study utilized 15 measures, which include aspects such as women’s wages, unemployment rates, healthcare access, and safety metrics. In contrast to Louisiana cities, Columbia, MD emerged as the top city for women, showcasing average earnings of $61,778 and an impressively low poverty rate of 8.2% among women.
Worsening Pay Gap and Career Decisions
Findings from the analysis also indicate a worsening pay gap between women and men as individuals progress in their careers, highlighting the necessity for young women to carefully consider their career decisions early on. Southern cities such as Atlanta, GA (ranked 14th), Charlotte, NC (16th), and Charleston, SC (43rd) are performing significantly better compared to their counterparts in Louisiana.
Challenges in Healthcare and Safety
Louisiana’s cities are facing ongoing challenges surrounding healthcare access and safety issues that detrimentally impact women’s lives and opportunities. Factors such as limited access to healthcare services and unsafe living environments exacerbate the struggles for women in these areas.
Investigations into the root causes of Louisiana’s low rankings suggest that improvements can be made in areas such as economic development, healthcare services, and overall safety and quality of life. These improvements are critical in fostering a better environment for women looking to establish their careers and personal lives.
Implications for Young Women
Due to the unfavorable conditions outlined in the study, young women in Louisiana may be incentivized to seek work opportunities in other states to secure better economic futures. The economic landscape in which they operate is compounded by limited earning potential and healthcare access, which are pivotal for family planning and overall well-being.
The state’s policies also play a significant role, as aspects such as abortion laws and access to healthcare significantly influence women’s quality of life in Louisiana. The interrelationship between these factors is critical in addressing the broader issues facing women in the state today.
In summary, the WalletHub 2025 analysis serves as a wake-up call for Louisiana, highlighting the urgent need for focused efforts on improving economic and health conditions for women. The findings reveal that while some cities in other states are fostering environments that contribute to women’s success, Louisiana’s cities lag considerably behind.
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Author: STAFF HERE NEWORLEANS WRITER
NEW ORLEANS STAFF WRITER The NEW ORLEANS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERENewOrleans.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in New Orleans, Orleans Parish, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as French Quarter Festival, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, and Essence Music Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the New Orleans Chamber of Commerce and Greater New Orleans, Inc., plus leading businesses in energy, healthcare, and education that power the local economy such as Entergy, Ochsner Health, and Tulane University. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREShreveport.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Louisiana's dynamic landscape.