Balancing kids, a career, a semi-clean house and maybe a few minutes to drink a cup of coffee while it’s still hot is no small feat. And yet, millions of women in the U.S. do just that every single day. According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau data, 73.2% of mothers with children younger than 18 are in the workforce. That’s not just a stat—it’s a movement.
But, let’s not sugarcoat it: Being a working mom in America can be tough. Between the rising cost of childcare, long commute times and the ongoing juggle of “being everywhere at once,” it’s clear that some places are more working-mom-friendly than others. So, which places are making life a little easier for moms trying to have it all (or at least most of it)?
To find the best metros for working moms, CoworkingCafe analyzed data across three key categories—work, education and childcare, and health and environment. Metrics included the share of employed moms; work-from-home and self-employment rates; commute times; income; and access to employer-based healthcare. We also looked at childcare availability and affordability; school quality; cost of living; and access to pediatricians and clean air. Additionally, we split the metros into three population brackets—large, mid-sized and small.
Working Moms Find More Support in the Nation’s Heartland and Old Cities
From Albany, New York, to Hartford, Connecticut, the Northeast is packed with metro areas that score high on metrics like childcare access, female employment and flexible work options. These metros often benefit from strong healthcare infrastructure, education systems and relatively compact geographies, which means shorter commutes and more time at home.
The Midwest also makes a strong showing with top metros like Minneapolis, Des Moines, Iowa, and Ann Arbor, Michigan. While the region may not always get the same attention as the coasts, it shines when it comes to affordability, community support and work-life balance.
Meanwhile, a few standout metros—like Santa Rosa, California, and Fort Collins, Colorado—show that the West is no slouch either, especially in the small metro category, where lifestyle quality and access to outdoor space can be big perks for families.
Working motherhood is the norm. Now cities are playing catch-up
Before diving into the rankings, here’s a snapshot of what working motherhood looks like on a national scale.
- Across the country, about 73% of moms with children younger than 18 are working. That rate has steadily increased from 68.3% in 2015, reflecting a gradual return to—and even surpassing—pre-pandemic employment levels.
- Nearly 17% of them work from home, whether that’s a fully remote setup or the occasional kitchen-table office. Looking at the broader picture for 2023, only 13.8% of the total working population works from home, whereas the rate is slightly higher—15.3%—for the female working population. This suggests that women are more inclined toward remote work relative to the overall workforce.
- At the same time, about 9% are self-employed, pointing to a growing interest in flexible, independent work options. This share has gradually climbed from 7.4% in 2015 to 8.7% in 2023. The biggest jump came during the pandemic, from 7.8% in 2019 to 8.8% in 2021 and it’s held steady since—suggesting a lasting shift toward entrepreneurial or freelance paths.
- Working moms log an average of 37.5 hours per week and their typical commute clocks in at just more than 25 minutes each way. Of course, on paper, those numbers might seem manageable. But, when you factor in everything else—including childcare, pickups, school projects, grocery runs and bedtime routines—they add up quickly.
And, then there’s childcare. Access and affordability are two of the biggest hurdles working moms face. A metro area can have a strong job market, but if childcare is scarce or unaffordable, it can block moms from fully participating in the workforce.
When it comes to supporting working mothers, some regions stand out more than others. A quick glance at the national distribution map shows that the Northeast and Midwest are leading the way.
Where moms are finding the most support
1. Portland, Maine – 88.4 points
Portland tops the list among mid-sized metros thanks to a strong showing across work-related metrics and family support systems. With 79.2% of moms employed and nearly 20% working from home, moms here have access to both jobs and the flexibility to manage family life. Self-employment is also high with 14.4% of working moms running their own businesses—perfect for those looking for autonomy and flexible hours.
It’s also worth noting that the average commute time is just 22.3 minutes and moms are working an average of 36.6 hours per week, thereby striking a nice balance between professional and personal life. And, when it comes to childcare, Portland offers a good number of centers (892 per 100,000 children) and keeps childcare costs manageable at $11,444 annually—about 10.2% of a family’s income, which is reasonable for the region.
Maine also offers a Family Medical Leave Act for employers with more than 15 employees, and Portland has built a reputation for progressive, family-friendly policies, including flexible workplace benefits. Combined with a strong education score, excellent air quality and top-tier pediatric access, it’s no surprise Portland ranks #1 here.
2. Des Moines, Iowa – 86.5 points
Des Moines is a gem for working families in the Midwest, ranking second in this group. An impressive 80.5% of moms are employed and 18.2% of working moms work from home. That level of flexibility can make all the difference for busy parents. To top it off, the commute time is low (just 20.3 minutes) and working moms average 37.9 hours per week, so families can enjoy a little more time together.
Des Moines also shines in affordability: Childcare costs average just $7,368 annually, making it the most affordable in this group at only 7% of median family income. What’s more, the metro has 1,305 childcare centers per 100,000 kids—an exceptional number that shows how well it supports working parents. Not to be outdone, the city’s education score is the best among mid-sized metros.
Even though Iowa doesn’t mandate paid family leave, many large employers in Des Moines offer their own generous leave packages. Paired with its affordability and high number of schools and care centers, Des Moines is incredibly attractive for working families.
3. Minneapolis – 86.4 points
With 82% of mothers employed, the Twin Cities provide an excellent environment for families looking to balance work and home life. Moreover, with 37.8 hours worked per week by working moms, on average, it’s clear that Minneapolis is a metro that supports women in the workforce by offering both flexibility and stability.
Another area where Minneapolis shines is in the number of moms working from home with 24.8% of them choosing a home office. Additionally, the metro’s paid family leave policies are designed to offer relief to parents through eight weeks of paid parental leave available for those employed by larger businesses.
The region also boasts an impressive 748 childcare centers per 100,000 children, which makes finding quality care for kids easier. On top of this, the metro’s reasonable cost of living helps families manage those childcare costs without financial strain. The strong education system—with more than 180 schools per 100,000 children—is another indicator that the metro values both career growth and child development, making it a great place for families.
4. Washington, D.C. – 80.3 points
Washington, D.C. ranks second among top large metros for working moms, with 77.2% of mothers employed. On average, they work 38.9 hours per week, which speaks to the commitment of families here to maintaining strong careers while juggling parenting responsibilities. The capital makes it easier for moms that enjoy the perks of flex work, offering 6.9 coworking spaces per 100,000 people.
D.C. is also outstanding in terms of childcare availability with more than 1,000 childcare centers per 100,000 children. This makes it easier for working moms to find reliable and accessible care for their kids. Along the same lines, D.C. also stands out for its paid family leave by offering eight weeks of paid parental leave for eligible employees. Additionally, the capital’s high density of pediatricians (590.7 per 100,000 children) means parents can be confident that their kids have access to quality healthcare.
D.C. also offers strong employment-based health insurance for working mothers with 74.4% of moms receiving it through their jobs. This gives families peace of mind, knowing they’re covered for medical needs. Beyond healthcare and leave policies, the metro’s high education ranking—with 100 schools per 100,000 children—ensures that children have access to quality education, which adds yet another layer of support for working parents.
5. Santa Rosa, California – 79.6 points
Santa Rosa leads the pack of best small metros for working moms. With 78% of moms employed including 17.8% working from home and 9.4% self-employed—there’s a good degree of flexibility for working parents. Moms here work about 35.4 hours per week with 22-minute commutes, which helps keep days manageable.
As you might expect, childcare isn’t cheap—$12,711 annually, or 10.4% of family income—but access is good, with 901 centers per 100,000 kids. On the upside, healthcare coverage is strong with 75% of moms insured through work. At the same time, California’s Paid Family Leave program also gives up to eight weeks of partially paid time off, making it easier to take a break when a new baby arrives. Add in the area’s high environmental health score and air quality and Santa Rosa becomes a great option for health-conscious families.
This story was produced by CoworkingCafe and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
Andreea Neculae for CoworkingCafe
