ST. LOUIS — If you're a mom who works outside of the home, you may think it's a hard road to tow. And turns out, a new study shows that it's harder for moms depending on where they might live.
The latest study comes from WalletHub ranks the best and worst states for working moms in 2024. It found that 74% of women with children are participating in the labor force and based the study on 17 key metrics from median salary for women to the female unemployment rate and day care quality.
The best states for working moms includes Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Washington, D.C., Connecticut and Minnesota. The rankings looked at childcare, professional opportunities and work-life balance. Massachusetts had the highest score of 67.98 and ranked No. 1 in work-life balance according to the study.
Massachusetts had one of the lowest unemployment rates for women last year, has some of the best parental-leave policies in the country, and is one of the best states for working from home, reported WalletHub. The group also said Massachusetts has one of the best public schools in the country.
The worst states - or the bottom five - include Idaho, Nevada, Mississippi, Louisiana and Alabama. Alabama ranks No. 51 with a score of 31.5 and ranked near the bottom for childcare, professional opportunities and work-life balance.
“Working moms have to carefully balance career opportunities with factors that provide a good environment for their children when deciding where to live," WalletHub analyst Cassandra Happe wrote in a news release. "The best states provide equitable pay for women and the potential for career advancement, along with robust parental leave policies and high-quality child care, health care and schools.”
Missouri ranks 37 overall, and Illinois ranks 11 overall.
Bright spots for Missouri include affordable health care, ranking as one of the most affordable. At the same time, it ranked 31 in overall child care.
Illinois had a bright spot, ranking eighth overall in child care.
To read the full report, click here.
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