Women are reshaping the face of American medicine. More than 53% of medical school entrants are female, yet careers often begin on unequal terms. The 2024 Doximity Report shows women physicians earn 23% less, losing an average of $120,917 yearly, while burnout affects 89% compared to 77% of men. Identifying supportive top cities for female physicians is essential to reducing these gaps. Pay structures, equity initiatives, and cost of living all matter. Family support and opportunities for advancement further determine if a medical career remains sustainable.

Certain cities show real progress in pay equity, parental benefits, and pathways for women in leadership roles.

Below are ten U.S. cities offering female physicians stronger opportunities, with detailed data to guide relocation and career planning.

 

1. Minneapolis, Minnesota

Minneapolis is one of the top cities for women in medicine. It offers the nation’s highest average female physician salary at $347,400 per year. Female physicians face a 16% pay gap in Minneapolis, compared with 23% nationwide. The city is further strengthened by top hospitals and research hubs.

These organizations promote equity and family support. Childcare aid and parental leave help physicians manage work and home life.

Furthermore, the cost of living index is 98, about 7% below the national average, with housing costs 18% lower than nationwide levels (Payscale). As a result, salaries stretch further than in many other metros. 

Physicians find growth opportunities with mentorship and a welcoming medical environment.

Even in a harsh climate, equitable pay, low living costs, and strong career growth.

 

2. Boston, Massachusetts

Boston is a key hub of American medicine. Harvard Medical School and a dense hospital network create unmatched opportunities in research, teaching, and practice. Female physicians here earn about $352,000. The gender pay gap is 18 percent, slightly better than the national average.

With a cost-of-living index of 150, expenses are steep. Yet physicians benefit from high pay, cutting-edge trials, and global ties. Equity audits are routine in leading hospitals. These ensure pay gaps are tracked and corrected.

Meanwhile, just 37% of women report having had a mentor during their careers (DDI World). Women also gain from mentorship programs, research grants, and policy visibility.

High housing prices and fierce competition persist, yet Boston’s depth makes it attractive to top talent in the top cities for female physicians.

Related – Is Boston a Good City for Young Professionals?

 

3. Denver, Colorado

Denver combines career growth with quality of life. Women in medicine here earn $340,000 on average. The gender gap is 17%, lower than the nationwide rate. With a cost-of-living index of 118, pay stretches further.

In addition, health systems adopt progressive policies. Burnout is eased by job sharing, telemedicine, and flexible hours.

Studies show 54.5% of women physicians report burnout, compared to 42% of men. Wellness also grows through outdoor activities and mentorship that prepares women for leadership (AMA). Meanwhile, wellness grows through outdoor activities and mentorship that prepares women for leadership.

Although rural areas lack specialty support, Denver provides balance. Physicians benefit from competitive pay, a modern work culture, and a vibrant medical community, making it one of the top cities for female physicians. Read our comprehensive relocation guide to Denver here.

 

4. Washington, D.C.

Washington, D.C., unites practice with health policy work. Female physicians earn about $356,000. The gender pay gap is 15%, one of the lowest nationally. The cost of living index is 142, and while housing and transport are costly, salaries help offset them.

The city is home to top hospitals and federal agencies. Physicians shape health policy while practicing. Mentorship and equity programs aid advancement, yet only 13.4% of internal medicine chairs are women (Springer Nature Link). Mentorship, fellowships, and equity programs guide women into senior roles.

Commuting and housing remain difficult. However, Washington, D.C. delivers strong pay and improved equity. In addition, it offers the rare chance to connect clinical practice with policy work, placing it among the top cities for female physicians.

 

5. San Francisco, California

San Francisco remains one of the top-paying markets for physicians, with women earning an average of $360,000 annually. Yet the cost-of-living index is 192, one of the steepest nationwide. 

The gender pay gap is 19 percent, close to the national average. Even so, Bay Area hospitals moved quickly to add equity reviews and transparent pay bands.

The region links medicine with technology. California attracts about 68% of U.S. venture funding, fueling health startup partnerships that create new income streams and career growth (Crunchbase). Hospitals also focus on diverse hiring and promotion.

Yet women hold only 25% of department chair roles in academic medicine (NCBI).

 

6. Raleigh, North Carolina

Raleigh grows quickly as a healthcare hub. Female physicians earn about $345,000. The gender pay gap is 17%. The cost of living index is 91, well below the national average. Therefore, salaries stretch further here than in coastal metros.

Hospitals and universities also recruit women into leadership roles. They support career growth with research projects and clinical grants. The Research Triangle connects physicians with biotech and pharma, offering options beyond care. 

Meanwhile, women make up nearly 70% of the global health workforce but occupy far fewer leadership positions (Bloomberg School of Public Health).

The city offers family-friendly living and affordable housing. Despite fewer specialties, Raleigh’s mix of pay and innovation makes it appealing. Also, read our complete guide about relocating to Raleigh.

Also read – The Best Cities for Registered Nurses: Where Pay Meets Possibility

 

7. Seattle, Washington

Seattle combines strong pay with a culture of equity. Female physicians earn about $350,000 a year. The gender pay gap is 18%, better than the national average. At 144, the cost of living reflects expensive housing and transport. Still, salaries remain strong.

Hospitals promote equity through mentorship and leadership opportunities. Many sponsors women for chair positions and fund research in women’s health. Parental leave and childcare benefits also support work-life balance.

The city’s inclusive culture strengthens career growth. Rain and high housing costs are drawbacks. Even so, Seattle remains a top choice for physicians seeking equity-focused systems and access to leading medical innovation.

 

8. Chicago, Illinois

Chicago is a major Midwest healthcare hub. Female physicians earn about $355,000, with an 18% pay gap. The cost of living index is 106, significantly lower than coastal metros, allowing higher purchasing power.

The city’s major hospitals and medical schools actively support diversity initiatives, with structured programs to monitor pay equity and promote women into senior roles. Several institutions also provide startup packages for female physicians to launch clinics or specialty centers.

Culturally, Chicago offers rich urban amenities and a strong professional network, while suburban living options provide family-friendly alternatives.

If extremes and traffic are drawbacks, the combination of competitive pay, equity initiatives, and manageable living costs makes Chicago one of the most practical and top cities for female physicians in the United States.

 

9. Austin, Texas

Austin has become a healthcare hub. Women earn about $348,000, with an 18% pay gap. The cost of living index is 104, still affordable compared to many large metros, and Texas benefits from no state income tax, increasing take-home pay.

The city’s health systems increasingly partner with startups and digital health firms, giving female physicians avenues to diversify income and expand careers. Hospitals in Austin are also adopting more flexible work models, reducing the strain of long hours.

Housing costs rise, and infrastructure struggles. Even so, the city stays vibrant. Moreover, it offers a strong job market and tax benefits. For this reason, Austin balances career and lifestyle for women physicians.

Recommended read – How Relocation Packages for Nurses Support Long-Term Career Moves

 

10. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Philadelphia offers access to leading hospitals while also providing lower living costs. Moreover, women physicians earn $342,000 with an 18 percent gap. In addition, the cost of living index is 104, which is significantly below that of Boston or New York, therefore making salaries more sustainable.

Hospitals in Philadelphia sponsor leadership development tracks and equity committees specifically for female physicians. Mentorship opportunities are robust, and the city’s dense medical community fosters collaboration across institutions.

Commuting can often be inefficient, and some neighborhoods raise safety concerns. However, the affordability of housing helps offset these issues. In addition, competitive physician pay further balances the drawbacks.

Academic strength and reasonable living costs make Philadelphia one of the top cities for female physicians.

 

Find Your Next Medical Home Base with Relo.AI

If one of these cities offers the right mix of pay, balance, or career growth, Relo.AI helps you make the move with confidence.

From housing searches and licensing support to neighborhood guidance and local setup, every detail is managed so you can focus on your patients and your practice.

If advancing your career, seeking stability, or starting fresh in one of the top cities for female physicians, we make relocation seamless.

Our relocation services connect you to medical-specific resources so nothing feels uncertain along the way.

Book your FREE consultation now and know the city where your career and personal life can flourish side by side.

At Relo.AI, every relocation is built on careful planning and healthcare insight.

 

Bottom Line

The top cities for female physicians strike a balance between compensation, equity, and livability. Minneapolis leads in raw pay. Boston excels in academic depth. San Francisco tops in innovation. Raleigh and Philadelphia bring affordability. Washington, D.C. leads in closing the gender pay gap. City choice shapes lifestyle, leadership access, and career satisfaction.

These cities offer the strongest environments to build sustainable, rewarding medical careers.