These are the best (and worst) cities for women to live, work, and thrive

"Where you live determines a lot-especially if you're a woman. From physical and mental well-being to unemployment rates to median income, key components of life satisfaction in the U.S. vary drastically based on location. And given that the pay gap also worsens for women, in particular, as they age, the city they call home can be a huge factor in determining earnings and quality of life later on."

"A new WalletHub study ranked 182 cities in the U.S. to find out which ones are best for women. The rankings are based on two factors: women's economic and social well-being, which includes median earnings, unemployment rate, and job security; and women's healthcare and safety, which looks at access to abortion, the quality of women's hospitals, and suicide rates. The top-ranked cities have higher annual wages when adjusting for cost of living; good healthcare; and low rates of poverty for women."

"First on the list is Columbia, Maryland, which has the highest median wage for women at $61,778 and a relatively low poverty rate of 8.2% (the eighth lowest in the U.S.). The unemployment rate for women is just over 4% and nearly a quarter (23%) of businesses are owned by women. While many cities in the study are struggling with women's healthcare gaps, Columbia has the 10th-best life expectancy for birthing women in the U.S."

182 U.S. cities were ranked on women's economic and social well-being and on women's healthcare and safety. Rankings used metrics such as median earnings, unemployment, job security, access to abortion, hospital quality, and suicide rates. Top-ranked cities show higher inflation-adjusted wages, stronger healthcare access, and lower female poverty rates. Columbia, Maryland leads with the highest median female wage ($61,778), low female poverty (8.2%), just-over-4% female unemployment, 23% female-owned businesses, and the 10th-best life expectancy for birthing women. Seattle ranks second with strong women-owned business presence, low uninsured rates, and low crime and suicide rates.

Read at Fast Company