These Are 2021’s Best and Worst Cities for New Moms, Report Says

Being a mom is tough, and it’s no secret that pregnant women and mothers have been hit the hardest during the ongoing pandemic. But living somewhere new moms feel supported can really help. One new study from LawnStarter looked at some of the best cities in the United States for new moms in 2021.

The report ranked 174 of the biggest American cities based on 43 factors that indicated new mom-friendliness, such as access to OB/GYNs, pediatricians and lactation spaces; quality of hospitals providing maternity services and delivery costs; the amount of extra paid leave allowed for pregnancy and childbirth; childcare costs.

Below are the top 10 best and worst cities for new moms, based on the report.

Top 10 Best Cities for New Moms

1. Salem, OR
2. Portland, OR
3. Jersey City, NJ
4. Eugene, OR
5. Yonkers, NY
6. Paterson, NJ
7. Sunnyvale, CA
8. New York, NY
9. Boston, MA
10. Bellevue, WA

Top 10 Worst Cities for New Moms

1. Detroit, MI
2. Philadelphia, PA
3. New Orleans, LA
4. Fort Lauderdale, FL
5. Las Vegas, NV
6. Tallahassee, FL
7. Memphis, TN
8. North Las Vegas, NV
9. Cleveland, OH
10. Norfolk, VA

The report found that, of the best cities for new moms, half were located on the west coast, while the other half were on the east coast. All of these cities had policies that protect moms’ jobs and maternal rights. Meanwhile, Detroit was last on the list due to poor results in childcare, home and outdoor environments and mom protections. However, despite its ranking, the city isn’t all bad. For one, Detroit’s Diaper Bank provides free diapers to new moms.

To view the full report and learn which cities ranked in the middle, check out LawnStarter.com.