With Women’s Equality Day around the corner and the U.S. ranking just 43rd for gender equality worldwide, the personal-finance company WalletHub today released its report on the Best and Worst States for Women's Equality in 2026, as well as expert commentary, to determine where women receive the most equal treatment in American society.
WalletHub compared the 50 states across 17 key metrics. The data set ranges from the gap between female and male executives to the disparity in unemployment rates for women and men to the income gap.
| Best States for Women’s Equality | Worst States for Women’s Equality |
| 1. Hawaii 2. Maryland 3. Alaska 4. Maine 5. Vermont 6. New Mexico 7. Iowa 8. Oregon 9. California 10. Illinois |
41. Louisiana 42. Montana 43. Virginia 44. Georgia 45. Arkansas 46. South Carolina 47. Idaho 48. Texas 49. Oklahoma 50. Utah |
Best vs. Worst
- In every state, women earn less than men. Maryland has the lowest gap, with women earning 1.40 percent less, whereas Utah has the highest, 26.90 percent.
- In nearly every state, women represent the highest share of minimum-wage workers. Alaska, Hawaii and North Dakota have an equal ratio of women to men. Delaware and Georgia have the highest minimum-wage workers gap, at 70.00 percent.
- Arkansas and New Mexico have the highest unemployment-rate gap favoring women, with 1.90 percent more unemployed men. Georgia and Maryland have the highest gap favoring men, with 0.70 percent more unemployed women. The unemployment rate is equal for men and women in Kansas, Texas and Utah.
- In nearly every state legislature, male lawmakers outnumber their female counterparts. Nevada has the highest gap favoring women, with 62.50 percent more women. West Virginia has the highest gap favoring men, with 86.44 percent more men.
To view the full report and your state’s rank, please visit:
https://wallethub.com/edu/best-and-worst-states-for-women-equality/5835