Best Cities For Working Mothers

In the third year Forbes has compiled the list, the new data factors included in this year's survey bumped New York City off the list and moved Buffalo into the top spot out of 50 metropolitan areas.

1 minute read

October 13, 2011, 12:00 PM PDT

By Kristopher Fortin


The list looked at cost of living, childcare costs, commute times, unemployment, physician quantity, cost per pupil, and violent crime.

"Jobless levels in the upstate region are lower than they are in 70% of the nation's biggest metro areas, and wages, which had been stagnant in 2008 and 2009 saw new momentum last year. Pair all that with lower than average crime rates, a low cost of living and the highest per-pupil expenditure of any city on our list, and it's clear Buffalo is an attractive locale for savvy working mothers. Amy Jo Lauber, a financial planner in the area, and a member of the Buffalo-Niagara chapter of NYS Women's Inc.says there is also an uptick in female entrepreneurs in the area, citing the Women's Business Center at Canisius College as a valuable resource."

Tuesday, October 11, 2011 in Forbes

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

June 18, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Two people walking away from camera through pedestrian plaza in street in Richmond, Virginia with purple and white city bus moving in background.

Vehicle-related Deaths Drop 29% in Richmond, VA

The seventh year of the city's Vision Zero strategy also cut the number of people killed in alcohol-related crashes by half.

June 17, 2025 - WRIC

Woman and young girl looking at subway map, woman pointing.

Can We Please Give Communities the Design They Deserve?

Often an afterthought, graphic design impacts everything from how we navigate a city to how we feel about it. One designer argues: the people deserve better.

June 9, 2025 - John Pobojewski

Buildings in downtown Springfield, Missouri at dusk.

Missouri Tenants Sue Housing Owners Over Tax Credit Program

In Springfield, Missouri, organized tenants have filed a lawsuit against the past and present owners of their tax credit–financed properties, claiming that in exercising an opt-out provision they violated both state and federal requirements.

30 minutes ago - Shelterforce Magazine

Ground crew person signaling to airplane with red batons on runway on a rainy day.

Judge Halts Trump Order Tying State Transportation Grants to Immigration Actions

Ruling applies to Colorado, which was among 20 plaintiff states.

1 hour ago - Colorado Newsline

Crowded stairwell in New York City subway station.

New York MTA to Reimagine Subway Bottleneck

Changes proposed in a recently approved five-year plan would resolve a nearly century-old snarl that routinely delays trains.

2 hours ago - Gothamist