If You're A Working Mom, These Are The Best And Worst States To Call Home

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.