Now there's a sobering statistic: the odds of being murdered in a particular place, if you're a woman.

Experts were also asked to weigh in on some women's issues, and to offer advice on how best to address some of the challenges presented in different areas of the country.

Read: 10 worst states to move to when you retire

Among the questions were the biggest financial issues facing women; which factors, financial and otherwise, should be uppermost in their minds as they consider choosing a city to live in; and what a public policy agenda should address to help women overcome the odds against them.

Read: 6 decades to prepare: A retirement checklist for women

Incidentally, blue states are friendlier to women than red states.

As women continue to struggle against unfair pay rates and face greater challenges than men in saving enough money on which to retire, folks may want to have a look to see where their chances are greater, or poorer, of having a reasonable chance at making it.

Here's a look at the 10 best states for women.

10. Hawaii

Rounding out the top 10 is Hawaii, which placed first in the country for women's health care and safety.

For economic and social well-being, however, it only came in at 19. That it ranked that high economically is a bit surprising, considering that it placed 51^st when it came to pay—meaning that in Hawaii female workers have the lowest median earnings of the 50 states and the District of Columbia.

Its women don't appear to be all that politically active, with the state ranking 49^th for the percentage of women who voted in the 2012 presidential election—but, returning to the plus side, it's got the fourth lowest female uninsured rate, the highest life expectancy for women at birth and the third lowest female homicide rate per 100,000 women.

9. Nebraska

Ninth in economic and social well-being for women and 13^th for their healthcare and safety, Nebraska made it into the top 10 but still has some room for improvement.

In its favor is the fact that it has the second lowest unemployment rate for women in the nation; against it is the fact that it ranks 49^th in the percentage of businesses in the state that are owned by women.

8. Wisconsin

Wisconsin placed fourth for women's economic and social well-being, but didn't do so well when it came to health care and safety, coming in near the middle of the pack at 24^th.

Its women are politically active, however, with the state having the third largest percentage of women who voted in the 2012 presidential election—so perhaps they should get together and apply political pressure to make their state improve further.

7. Maryland

Third in the country for women's economic and social well-being, Maryland didn't do anywhere near as well on health care and safety, coming in at 18^th.

But the state offers the third highest median earnings for female workers, adjusted for cost of living, and that's a definite plus.

It's also tied for second place for having the lowest percentage of its women living in poverty—so perhaps they're able to set aside some of their earnings for retirement.

6. North Dakota

North Dakota must love its women workers; it has the lowest unemployment rate in the country for women.

It also, interestingly enough, has the second lowest rate of female homicide per 100,000 females.

While certainly that statistic isn't exactly calculated to soothe—"homicide" isn't a comforting word, even if the rate is low—the state also placed third in the nation for women's health care and safety. And that's nothing to dismiss.

5. Massachusetts

Massachusetts has come a long way since the days of the Salem Witch Trials.

It placed 10^th for women's economic and social well-being, and fifth for their health care and safety.

It also took top spot in the nation for having the lowest number of uninsured females. Women who have access to medical care will face less of a struggle in getting to retirement—and hopefully in saving enough to pay for it, too.

4. Maine

Placing sixth in the country for women's economic and social well-being, Maine also made the top 10 for women's health care and safety.

The bad thing is that it finished 47^th in the country for having the lowest median earnings for female workers.

Yvonne Braun, associate professor in the Departments of Women's and Gender Studies and International Studies at the University of Oregon, said on WalletHub of the pay issue that it is one of the factors that "make it difficult for women, particularly poor women and women of color, to achieve financial well-being in the present moment let alone to plan effectively for financial security in their later years."

3. New Hampshire

When it comes to women's economic and social well-being, New Hampshire took the second highest spot—no small feat.

It also has the lowest number of women living in poverty and the lowest high school dropout rate for women, and finished in the top 10 for women's health care and safety.

Hanna Hartman, assistant professor of economics in the Offutt School of Business at Concordia College, said on WalletHub that "[a] community where education is valued and supported often coincides with safer neighborhoods and desire for more community activities."

2. Vermont

Women work in Vermont—so much so that the state is tied for third place with having their lowest unemployment rate. It also has the third lowest number of uninsured women in the country.

The state also ranked second overall for women's health care and safety, so it does very well by its female population.

In considering how to rate the states, WalletHub took into account factors such as top-rated women's hospitals, preventive health care, life expectancy at birth and even the best states in which to have a baby. To place so highly, Vermont made a good showing.

1. Minnesota

Minnesota tops the list as being the best place in the country for women's economic and social well-being.

It's tied for third place (with Vermont) in having the lowest unemployment rate for women, tied for second place (with two other states) for the lowest high school dropout rate for women, and placed fourth in the nation in having the most women who voted in the 2012 presidential election.

It's also got the fifth lowest number of uninsured females in the country—a major accomplishment when health care is so expensive and coverage can be so hard to come by.