Best Cities for Working Moms

As I noted last week, everyone loves top 10 lists, and ForbesWoman recently ranked the best cities for working mothers. While I obviously don’t fall into that category, I know it is relevant for many of you.

To calculate the ranking, Forbes started with the 50 largest cities and looked at a variety of factors, such as income for women, unemployment rates, the cost of living, healthcare, the quality of schools, childcare, crime and parks.

Minneapolis, MN

As I noted last week, everyone loves top 10 lists, and ForbesWoman recently ranked the best cities for working mothers. While I obviously don’t fall into that category, I know it is relevant for many of you.

To calculate the ranking, Forbes started with the 50 largest cities and looked at a variety of factors, such as income for women, unemployment rates, the cost of living, healthcare, the quality of schools, childcare, crime and parks. They really considered what working moms care about – for example, instead of evaluating healthcare based on the usual parameters, they threw in options for pediatricians. As Forbes stated, “What good is your six-figure salary if you can’t reach a doctor when your child is running a fever?”

So which cities are best for working mothers? The Minneapolis / St. Paul area came in at No. 1. “With the combination of wonderful schools, plenty of childcare options and cultural opportunities, it’s no surprise that Minneapolis/St. Paul was selected as the #1 area for working moms,” said Kathryn Kennedy, Coldwell Banker Burnet sales associate and a working mom herself. “The transferees that I have worked with have been able to work for companies that provide excellent benefits from healthcare to maternity to onsite daycare, which creates a wonderful support system for working moms.”

DC followed closely behind taking the No. 2 spot. Paul Valentino, president of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage of the Greater D.C. metro told us, “There are job opportunities here with a higher earnings potential, along with easy access to necessary services for working mothers, such as quality school systems, healthcare and daycare providers. Of course, the city’s diversity, world-class restaurants, and affordable entertainment with free admission to countless museums, and outdoor concerts, all make D.C. a vibrant and greatly desirable place to live.”

Here are the top 10 cities that topped the list.

1. Minneapolis-St. Paul
2. Washington, D.C.
3. Boston
4. Pittsburgh
5. Baltimore-Towson, MD
6. Denver
7. Hartford, CT
8. New York Metro
9. Seattle-Tacoma, WA
10. Buffalo-Niagara Falls, N.Y.

What is it about your community that makes it great for you as a working mom (or dad)?

David Marine

Husband. Father. Socializer. Mets Lifer. TV Aficionado. Consumer Engager.

David Marine is the Chief Marketing Officer at Coldwell Banker, where he oversees the brand’s marketing efforts and content strategy including acting as managing editor for the Coldwell Banker blog and heading up video production efforts. While CMO by day, David runs a three ring circus at night as he is the father of 4 boys. He also happens to be married to Wonder Woman. True story.