Despite high unemployment and poverty, Ohio manages to place in the top 10 best states for working moms. In fact it is one of just two states outside the Northeast U.S. to do so. Ohio earns its ranking for affordable childcare — in this metric it ranks fourth in the country.
Tied with Ohio for fourth place in the affordable childcare category, Massachusetts ranked 19th for professional opportunities and 11th when it comes to work-life balance.
California is the only state west of Ohio — and one of only two outside the Northeast — to make the list. It’s highest number came in the work-life balance ranking, where it placed 11th.
7. Rhode Island
When it comes to professional opportunities for working mom’s Rhode Island is the third best place in the country to live. That said, when it comes to child-care, the state ranks squarely middle of the road in 26th place.
Delaware has the best child-care ranking in the U.S., which helps it earn the No. 6 spot not he list. It also ranks high in the professional-opportunities category at No. 10. But before you get too excited, note that when it comes to work-life balance, Delaware ranks in the bottom five!
No. 5 on the overall list, New York ranks in the top 10 for child-care and professional opportunities and the work-life balance, in 21st place, is better than Delaware and the District of Columbia.
It ranks lower in the child-care division than New York, but when it comes to work-life balance, Maine places fourth in a tie with Vermont.
Holding the No. 3 spot on the list, Vermont ties with Maine when it comes to work-life balance, but has a slightly better child-care ranking. The professional opportunities available to women in both states are nearly equal, with Maine in 12th place and Vermont in 13th.
The nation’s capitol comes in No. 2 over-all and actually ranks first in the professional opportunities category. That said, when it comes to work-life balance, the state doesn’t fare as well, placing 34th in the country.
And the No. 1 spot goes to Oregon, where the work-life balance is the best in the country. It also ranks in the top 10 for professional opportunities and in 15th place for child-care.
