Purpose To examine the relationship between diabetes and snoring frequency and determine the effect of menopause and postmenopausal years on this relationship. Methods We included 12,218 premenopausal and postmenopausal women from part of the baseline of the China Multi-Ethnic Cohort study (CMEC) in Chongqing province. Face-to-face questionnaires, physical examination, and biological samples were used to collect data. Logistic regression and subgroup analysis were used to explore the relationship between snoring and diabetes in women with various menopausal statuses. Results The risk of diabetes increased with the snoring frequency, with adjusted odds ratios of 1.23 (95% CI:1.05–1.43) and 1.47 (95% CI:1.25–1.73) for sometimes snoring and frequent snoring, compared to non-snoring. In premenopausal and postmenopausal women, frequent snoring increased the odds of diabetes by 58% (95% CI: 7–132%) and 43% (95% CI: 20–72%), respectively, compared to non-snoring. Only in women who were ≥10 years postmenopausal had a statistical association between frequent snoring and diabetes, with a 54% (95% CI: 23–92%) increased odds of diabetes, compared to women who did not snore. Conclusion Snoring frequency is positively associated with diabetes. Women who snore frequently before and for at least ten years after menopause are at higher risk of developing diabetes. Frequent snorers and long-term postmenopausal women should monitor blood glucose levels to aid in the early detection and treatment of diabetes.