The gender wage gap has been a huge topic of conversation in the US over the past few years. Overall, statistics show that women in the United States are paid 83 cents for every dollar paid to men. This means that women employed in the United States lose a combined total of nearly $1.6 trillion every year.
This wage gap is driven by a variety of factors, including discrimination, lack of support for family caregiving and male-dominated workforces. On a personal level, this has a huge impact on women’s ability to care for their families and save for the future.
According to government statistics, there are 9 small cities in America pioneering the way in women’s pay. These 9 small cities are the only ones in the nation where women out-earn men. This is an incredible achievement and a step forward for pay equality, but the country still has a long way to go in rectifying the wage gap across the other thousands of cities nationwide.
How We Determined Our List
We cross referenced Government data to calculate the wage gap between the median earnings for males who are working full time, year round, and their female counterparts. These numbers were subtracted from one another to calculate a wage gap.
When it comes to the criteria of a ‘small city’ – cities with a population of 50,000 – 250,000 qualified for our search.
Key Findings
- California is the state with the most cities on our list, leading the way with 3.
- Puerto Rico and Florida both have 2 cities on our list, showing progressive pay in these regions.
9 Small Cities In America Where Women Earn More Than Men
#1: Jacksonville City, North Carolina
- Total Population: 74,313
- Median earnings for male full-time, year-round workers: $26,442.00
- Median earnings for female full-time, year-round workers: $30,074.00
- Income Gap: -$3,632.00
Jacksonville City, North Carolina has a population of 74,313 and is located in Onslow County. It is a thriving community known for its historical sites and beautiful parks. The city also has a vibrant economy and is the #1 small city in the US where women out-earn men the most, making it an attractive place to live and work.
#2: Inglewood City, California
- Total Population: 109,309
- Median earnings for male full-time, year-round workers: $41,431.00
- Median earnings for female full-time, year-round workers: $43,686.00
- Income Gap: -$2,255.00
Inglewood City, California has a population of 109,309 and is located in the Los Angeles metropolitan area. It is known for its rich cultural heritage and vibrant arts scene, with many music venues, museums, and galleries. The city is also home to many sports teams and is a popular tourist destination. Inglewood has the second highest income gap in favour of women, with a median of $2,255, giving it a spot at number 2.
#3: Miami Gardens City, Florida
- Total Population: 110,767
- Median earnings for male full-time, year-round workers: $32,248.00
- Median earnings for female full-time, year-round workers: $33,965.00
- Income Gap: -$1,717.00
Miami Gardens City, Florida has a population of 110,767 and is located in Miami-Dade County. The city is known for its beautiful parks, beaches, and recreational facilities. The income gap in Miami Gardens is £1717.00, making it an attractive place for women to live and work.
#4: Ponce Zona Urbana, Puerto Rico
- Total Population: 109,930
- Median earnings for male full-time, year-round workers: $23,114.00
- Median earnings for female full-time, year-round workers: $24,196.00
- Income Gap: -$1,082.00
Ponce Zona Urbana, Puerto Rico has a population of 109,930 and is known for its rich cultural heritage and stunning architecture. The city is also a hub for commerce and industry, with a thriving economy and many job opportunities. Ponce Zona Urbana is fourth on our list and the top in Puerto Rico, a huge achievement for this island nation.
#5: Caguas Zona Urbana, Puerto Rico
- Total Population: 73,040
- Median earnings for male full-time, year-round workers: $25,656.00
- Median earnings for female full-time, year-round workers: $26,061.00
- Income Gap: -$405.00
Caguas Zona Urbana, Puerto Rico has a population of 73,040 and is known for its rich cultural heritage and beautiful natural landscapes. The city is the fifth in our list of states where women out-earn men and second in Puerto Rico.
#6: Lake Havasu City, Arizona
- Total Population: 55,463
- Median earnings for male full-time, year-round workers: $42,373.00
- Median earnings for female full-time, year-round workers: $42,605.00
- Income Gap: -$232.00
Lake Havasu City, Arizona has a population of 55,463 and is located on the shores of Lake Havasu. It is a popular tourist destination known for its beautiful parks, beaches, and recreational facilities. Not only is it 6th on our list of small cities where women out-earn men, it places second when looking at the small cities where women earn the most overall.
#7: Lauderhill City, Florida
- Total Population: 71,827
- Median earnings for male full-time, year-round workers: $33,899.00
- Median earnings for female full-time, year-round workers: $33,961.00
- Income Gap: -$62.00
Lauderhill City, Florida has a population of 71,827 and is located in Broward County. It is a culturally diverse city known for its vibrant arts scene and beautiful parks. It is the second small city in Florida that appears on our list, a hugely positive achievement for the state.
#8: Cathedral City, California
- Total Population: 54,812
- Median earnings for male full-time, year-round workers: $40,006.00
- Median earnings for female full-time, year-round workers: $40,046.00
- Income Gap: -$40.00
Cathedral City, California has a population of 54,812 and is located in Riverside County. Despite being the smallest on our list in terms of population, Cathedral city is leaps ahead in terms of equal pay for women.
#9: Compton City, California
- Total Population: 95,804
- Median earnings for male full-time, year-round workers: $35,659.00
- Median earnings for female full-time, year-round workers: $35,671.00
- Income Gap: -$12.00
Compton City, California has a population of 95,804 and is located in Los Angeles County. It is a culturally diverse city and the third city in California on our list. Despite having the smallest wage gap on our list, the city is still miles ahead of the thousands of other small cities in America, where women are underpaid compared to male counterparts.
Data Report – 9 Small Cities In America Where Women Earn More Than Men
| City | Population | Median earnings for full-time Male workers | Median earnings for full-time Female workers | Income Gap |
| Jacksonville City, North Carolina | 74,313 | $26,442.00 | $30,074.00 | +$3,632.00 |
| Inglewood City, California | 109,309 | $41,431.00 | $43,686.00 | +$2,255.00 |
| Miami Gardens City, Florida | 110,767 | $32,248.00 | $33,965.00 | +$1,717.00 |
| Ponce Zona Urbana, Puerto Rico | 109,930 | $23,114.00 | $24,196.00 | +$1,082.00 |
| Caguas Zona Urbana, Puerto Rico | 73,040 | $25,656.00 | $26,061.00 | +$405.00 |
| Lake Havasu City, Arizona | 55,463 | $42,373.00 | $42,605.00 | +$232.00 |
| Lauderhill City, Florida | 71,827 | $33,899.00 | $33,961.00 | +$62.00 |
| Cathedral City, California | 54,812 | $40,006.00 | $40,046.00 | +$40.00 |
| Compton City, California | 95,804 | $35,659.00 | $35,671.00 | +$12.00 |