HONOLULU (KHON2) — Two Hawaiʻi communities made a new 2025 list of best and worst cities.
Pearl City ranked #31 overall, while Honolulu landed at #47 out of 182 cities across the United States.
Here’s what we know from the report.
Honolulu challenges
Honolulu ranked 47th overall out of 182 cities, but our economic numbers were not strong. Honolulu placed 99th in women’s economic and social well-being.
Median earnings for women, adjusted for cost of living, ranked near the bottom at #179 out of 182. Only three cities scored lower in that category.
Pearl City strengths
Pearl City earned a much higher spot, as it placed 31st overall. It ranked 67th in economic and social well-being and 35th in health care and safety.
The community stood out in two areas. Pearl City had the fourth-lowest percentage of women living in poverty nationwide and the second-lowest uninsured rate for women.
National context
The report compared 182 cities using 15 measures. Categories included earnings, unemployment, women-owned businesses, access to health care and safety.
Women in the U.S. earn about 85-cents for every dollar earned by men, and the pay gap often grows wider with age. According to the report, only 22 out of 250 metro areas show women under 30 earning the same as or more than men.
“Living in the right city can significantly improve a woman’s economic status, health, and safety,” said Milvionne Chery, an analyst for the study. “The best cities for women offer job security and high pay, enabling women to achieve greater financial independence. They also prioritize safety, provide easily accessible medical care, and have high-quality hospitals, contributing to the best possible physical and mental health for women.”
You can click here to read the full report.
While Honolulu struggles with low wages compared to cost of living, Pearl City demonstrates stronger outcomes in poverty reduction and health coverage.
The contrast between Honolulu and Pearl City shows how women’s opportunities can vary even within the same state.