When it comes to women and money, finding decent wages that aren't affected by your sex can be extremely challenging. Pew Research Center found that even in 2020, women only make 84% of what men earn while working in the same role. However, there are a few cities where women not only make an equal (or close to equal) amount of money as men but thrive financially. These are the five cities where women make the most money and why these areas are so prosperous for women.

The top five cities where women make the most money

According to a study done by GoBankingRates, these are the five best cities for women to earn a good wage.

1. Sunnyvale, California. Sunnyvale is full of tech companies that work in the video game niche. While the median salary is $58,480, over 41.1% of women who reside there earn at least $100,000.

2. Arlington, Virginia. A town that's heavily centered around the military, Arlington has some of the best wages for women around. More than a third of this city's female population earns $100,000 or more.

3. San Francisco, California. It's probably no surprise that San Francisco is on this list simply due to its exorbitant cost of living, but the city has made great strides to ensure its gender pay gap closes. 36.2% of women surveyed who live in SanFran earn six figures.

4. Fremont, California. Fremont has become a bigger hub for tech companies looking to move away from the high costs of doing business in San Francisco without entirely leaving the Bay Area. 31.4% of women who reside in Fremont earn at least $100,000 annually. 

5. Alexandria, Virginia. Alexandria has turned around the past few years and is enjoying a job boom thanks to its low cost of living and tax incentives. 30.7% of female residents earn an income of $100,000 or more.

Why are these cities so profitable for women?

There are a few factors that may contribute to the fact that women earn more in some cities than others:

• The five cities where women make the most money are all located in states with a high cost of living.
• Some cities may have more opportunities for women in high-paying fields or industries.
• All five cities have strong economies and are experiencing job growth. This may result from the fact that many high-paying jobs require specialized skills or knowledge that can only be acquired through experience and education.
• Many women in these cities work long hours, leading to higher earnings.

The bottom line

While the gender pay gap continues globally, that doesn't mean there aren't cities that are working hard to make pay more equal for their residents. In general, many factors contribute to women having higher earning potential in some cities. Some of these factors may be specific to the town where a woman resides, while others may be more universal. However, all five of the cities listed have something in common: they are locations where women can earn a high income.