For the second year in a row, Columbia, Maryland was named the nation’s leading city for women by WalletHub. In its ranking, WalletHub compared 182 cities across 15 key indicators of living standards for women. WalletHub’s data set includes the median yearly wages and unemployment rate for women, and the quality of women’s hospitals and access to preventative health care.

A poster child for planned communities, Columbia is filled with more than 100 miles of trails that connect neighborhoods and circle picturesque lakes. The Columbia Association , a community services organization, maintains these trails, along with other amenities like pools, fitness clubs, golf courses, and tennis and pickleball courts. So, it’s no surprise that Columbia ranked sixth in the percentage of women who are physically active (85%) in WalletHub’s analysis.

A new mixed-use development, known as the Merriweather District , has given downtown Columbia a vibrant new entertainment district, and opened up new business opportunities with its storefronts and office spaces. WalletHub's analysis showed that 24 percent of businesses in Columbia are women-owned, the sixth-highest percentage in the nation.

And women in Columbia, who have the nation’s highest median annual wages for women after adjusting for the cost of living, have their choice of housing. Whether it’s brand new apartments in the Merriweather District, townhomes overlooking lakes, or single family homes in quiet neighborhoods, Columbia offers something for everyone.

Maryland’s high marks for gender equality are nothing new. In fact, U.S. News & World Report ranked the state ranked first for gender equality in 2022.