For working mothers across the United States, your geographical location can determine a lot.
The state that you live in can play a factor in how much you pay for a variety of things and how many professional opportunities are available. In a recent study conducted by Wallethub, experts break down the best and worst states for working mothers.
For the study, analysts compared the 50 states and District of Columbia based on three elements: childcare, professional opportunities and work-life balance.
Their findings prove that Vermont, Minnesota and New Jersey are the top three states for working moms while Nevada, Louisiana and Alabama are the worst.
From childcare costs to the female executive to male executive ratio, this comprehensive analysis is opening up the discussion to women’s equality in the workplace in a unique way.
The discussion around equal pay for women is something that is becoming increasingly important as women employed full-time, year-round across the U.S. are paid just 80 cents for every dollar paid to men, according to the National Partnership for Women & Families. On average, women are losing more than $840 billion each year due to the wage gap, the study points out.
For Black women, the numbers are staggering, as full-time employees are being paid 48-69 cents for every dollar paid to a white male. If the wage gap were eliminated, on average, a Black women would earn enough money for nearly 2.5 more years of child care, three years of more food for her family and almost two dozen more months of rent.
Here Are This Year’s Best And Worst States For Working Mothers:
Best States For Working Mothers:
Vermont
Minnesota
New Jersey
Delaware
Connecticut
Worst States For Working Mothers:
Alabama
Louisiana
Nevada
Arizona
Alaska
Best Day Care Systems:
New York
Washington
North Dakota
Oklahoma
Texas
Worst Day Care Systems:
Alabama
Louisiana
California
Nebraska
Idaho
Lowest Child-Care Costs:
Mississippi
South Carolina
Louisiana
South Dakota
Alabama
Highest Child-Care Costs:
New York
Alaska
Nevada
Rhode Island
District of Columbia
Lowest Gender Pay Gap:
Hawaii
District of Columbia
Florida
Delaware
New York
Highest Gender Pay Gap:
Alaska
Louisiana
Alabama
Utah
North Dakota
To view the entire 2017 Best & Worst States for Working Moms study, click here.