Women’s residential choices have been constrained by patriarchal norms, such as economic dependence on men and unequal inheritance rights. Despite advancements in education and labor force participation, women still face structural barriers, including the gender pay gap and societal expectations, which limit their autonomy in housing decisions. These restrictions directly impact their perceived social status and overall well-being. This study uses data from the 2021 China General Social Survey (CGSS) to explore the influence of gender role ideology, community pollution, community belonging on subjective social status and life satisfaction among women. In terms of subjective social status, the findings align with existing research, showing that education level, income, and occupational status significantly influence perceived social status. Women with higher education and income tend to access more social resources and exhibit advantages in subjective social status. However, traditional gender role ideology negatively impacts women’s social status, with conservative views leading to lower self-assessments of social standing. Regarding life satisfaction, while personal income is generally positively correlated with satisfaction, this study found a negative correlation between income and life satisfaction among women, likely due to conflicts between high-income roles and traditional family responsibilities. Community belonging and marital status positively influence life satisfaction by providing emotional support and social recognition, enhancing women’s overall well-being.