The Best and Worst States for Long, Healthy Lives
Ever wonder where people are living the longest… and where they’re not? Life expectancy isn’t just about genetics. It’s shaped by access to healthcare, lifestyle habits, income, community support, and even how much sunshine you get. The website World Population Review has the data, and we’ve turned it into a handy guide for you.
Hawaii – 79.9 Years
It’s no surprise Hawaii tops the list of the states with the highest life expectancy. With its laid-back vibe, beautiful weather, and focus on outdoor living, people here stay active (and sometimes even surfing) well into old age. The diet people have here is considered pretty good, and the state has relatively low obesity rates.
Massachusetts – 79.6 Years
Massachusetts mixes American history with healthy living. It boasts some of the best hospitals and research centers in the world, and its residents are highly educated - two big factors in living longer. It also has good access to care and plenty of outdoor spaces to exercise in.
Connecticut – 79.2 Years
Rich Connecticutians are doing very well when it comes to long life. Residents often have good insurance coverage and access to quality care, especially in the wealthier suburbs. The state also has a lower-than-average obesity rate and strong public health programs.
New Jersey – 79.0 Years
Turns out, the Garden State is also a great state for sticking around longer than average. New Jersey has solid healthcare, high income, and proximity to top-notch medical centers in NYC and Philly. It’s also a friendly, welcoming place to live your entire life.
New York – 79.0 Years
A city as crazy as NYC might not seem healthy, but New Yorkers walk everywhere, and that helps. The state has excellent hospitals, good public health programs, and strong education levels, all things that are tied to longer life. Plus, being socially connected, which is common in big cities, is actually great for longevity.
Minnesota – 78.8 Years
Cold weather doesn’t stop Minnesotans from living long, healthy lives. The state has great access to healthcare, low smoking rates, and a strong sense of community. People here take health seriously, and it shows. Even during the horrible winters, residents stay active.
New Hampshire – 78.5 Years
New Hampshire is a great state to live in. Low crime, clean air, and a strong sense of community all help residents stay both mentally and physically healthy. The state also ranks well for healthcare access and education, two important things that help a population live longer.
Rhode Island – 78.5 Years
Rhode Island is known for being small, but that’s not the only interesting thing about it. Residents here enjoy good healthcare access, especially if they’re well-off. There’s also a growing focus on healthy eating and exercise, and those things lead to longer life.
Vermont
Life in Vermont is calm and generally pretty healthy. People here value community, nature, and simple living. The state has low pollution, a strong healthcare system, and some of the lowest smoking and obesity rates in the country – all in all it’s a great place to live.
California – 78.3 Years
California's got it all when it comes to longevity: sunshine, healthy food, and a culture obsessed with health and wellness. People walk, bike, and surf year-round, and the healthcare system is robust, especially in urban areas. Sure, it’s expensive - but those who live here tend to live longer.
Utah – 78.2 Years
A large portion of Utah’s population avoids alcohol and smoking for religious reasons, and that alone gives health stats a boost. Add in year-round outdoor fun like skiing, hiking, and mountain biking, and you’ve got a recipe for long life. The beautiful scenery doesn’t hurt either.
Washington – 78.2 Years
Washington is big on the great outdoors. Hiking, kayaking, and biking are all part of daily life here. The state also scores high for quality healthcare – although unfortunately, wealthier residents have better access to it compared to poorer ones.
Nebraska – 77.8 Years
Those who live in Nebraska report that it has low stress, clean surroundings, and tight-knit communities – i.e. many of the things you need for a long life. Healthcare is accessible, and obesity and smoking rates are improving. It’s a pretty good option if you’re looking to move.
Wisconsin – 77.8 Years
Wisconsin is known for beer, but it’s still a healthy state. It’s considered to have solid healthcare access and a pretty high standard of living. Plus, outside of the cities, people enjoy open space, clean air, and a slower pace of life. The only trouble is how harsh the winters are.
Colorado – 77.7 Years
Colorado is basically one big outdoor gym! With mountains, sunshine, and a gym-loving culture, it’s no wonder the state has one of the lowest obesity rates in the country. Residents embrace fitness, fresh air, and nutritious food, so they simply live longer.
Iowa – 77.7 Years
In Iowa, it’s all about clinging onto the traditions of the past. People work hard, eat home-cooked meals, and stay close to family - three big pluses for longevity. Healthcare access is decent across the state, and there’s a strong sense of personal responsibility when it comes to wellness.
North Dakota - 77.6 Years
North Dakota does better than many think when it comes to life expectancy. The state benefits from low crime, a strong sense of community, and relatively clean living. Sure, rural healthcare access can be hit or miss, especially in winter, but many residents lead active lives that keep them healthy.
Oregon – 77.4 Years
The US’s weirdest state does pretty well for itself, because staying active is just part of the lifestyle. The state also has relatively low smoking and obesity rates. Add in access to decent healthcare, and it’s easy to see why folks in Oregon are living longer.
Idaho - 77.2 Years
Idaho’s clean air, open spaces, and outdoor lifestyle help boost its life expectancy. People here tend to stay active - whether it's hiking, skiing, or gardening - and that makes a real difference. Healthcare access in rural areas can be tricky, but overall, the state has a healthy pace of life.
Maryland - 77.2 Years
Maryland is considered middling when it comes to life expectancy, thanks to a mix of high-quality healthcare access in urban areas and health disparities in others. Basically, if you’re rich you’re good, so be rich in Maryland. (Oh, and eat a lot of the seafood – it’s good for you.)
North Dakota – 77.6 Years
Life in North Dakota is peaceful, and that counts for something. With low crime, fresh air, and strong community ties, people here enjoy a steady, if chilly, lifestyle. As with other states, though, there are some healthcare challenges in rural areas that lower the average life expectancy.
Illinois – 77.1 Years
Illinois has a bad reputation that’s not really deserved. The Chicago area boasts top-tier hospitals and wellness programs that are helping a lot of people live longer lives right now. While the state faces challenges with chronic disease, the powers that be are working on improving these.
Virginia – 76.8 Years
Virginia’s got a little bit of everything - mountains, coastlines, cities, and farmland - and that variety seems to help when it comes to health. The state ranks fairly high in healthcare quality and access too, especially near D.C. and Richmond.
Maine – 76.7 Years
Ah, the home of Stephen King. Don’t worry, though, killer clowns won’t get you in Maine – you’ll actually probably live a long time. Obesity and smoking rates are lower than average, and if you can afford it the healthcare is pretty good.
South Dakota – 76.6 Years
South Dakota's ranking is weighed down by limited rural healthcare and serious disparities in Native American communities. Life can also be hard in isolated areas, with long distances to doctors and high poverty rates. But if you’re in a city, you’ll do fine.
Pennsylvania – 76.4 Years
The urban areas of Pennsylvania offer great hospitals and specialists, but rural communities actually don’t do so badly either. As with a lot of states, though, there’s great inequality and sometimes only the rich can afford to improve their lives with healthcare.
Delaware – 76.3 Years
Delaware might be small, but it holds its own when it comes to life expectancy. Residents benefit from all the good healthcare access, especially with big-city medical centers nearby in Philly and Baltimore. It also helps that the pace of life in the area is relatively relaxed.
Florida – 76.1 Years
Florida’s more than just a retirement hotspot and the theme park capital of the world. The warm weather and sunshine get people exercising, and there's no shortage of healthcare options catering to older adults. While the state struggles with obesity in some regions, steps are being taken to fix this.
Michigan – 77.8 Years
Michigan has faced its share of public health challenges - Flint comes to mind - but it also has pockets of excellent healthcare, especially around Ann Arbor and Grand Rapids. It’s a tale of two Michigans: it has natural beauty that attracts people, but also economic hardship.
Montana – 75.8 Years
Montana may seem like a healthy, outdoorsy paradise, but life expectancy tells a different story. Rural isolation makes healthcare hard to access, and the state has high suicide and substance abuse rates. For those with support and most importantly money, it’s a great place to live – but less so for others.
Texas – 75.4 Years
Texas is big on everything, so you better believe it has big, impressive hospitals as well. But rural areas still face access issues, and there’s a higher prevalence of chronic conditions in some places. Plus, as with many other states, there’s a huge gap between the rich and the poor.
Nevada – 75.1 Years
Nevada isn’t just about flashing lights, casinos, and that weird new sphere thing. Outside of Vegas, there’s a surprising amount of natural beauty and active living. But life expectancy is still lower here than some of the state’s neighbors, partly due to higher rates of smoking and chronic illness.
Arizona – 75.0 Years
Arizona’s dry climate appeals to retirees… and it might just help them live longer. Less humidity means fewer joint issues and respiratory problems, and furthermore the state is packed with hiking trails and exercise opportunities. The only trouble is the healthcare system. Unfortunately, it’s really not great.
Wyoming – 75.0 Years
Wyoming has wide open skies and tons of fresh air -but also sparse healthcare options and, unfortunately, some of the nation’s highest suicide rates. Its rural nature means people delay care or just plain can’t find doctors nearby.
North Carolina – 74.9 Years
North Carolina has seen a lot of retirees move in because of the mild weather, scenic landscapes, and friendly community. But there’s massive inequality between urban and rural areas. Cities like Raleigh and Charlotte offer quality medical care while rural areas have nothing.
Indiana – 74.6 Years
Indiana lands in the lower-middle range for life expectancy, and much of that comes down to higher smoking and obesity rates. That being said, people here enjoy close-knit communities and a slower pace that can be good for mental health. And access to healthcare is improving in rural areas, but slowly.
Missouri – 74.6 Years
Missouri struggles a bit when it comes to longevity, mainly due to higher smoking rates and chronic illnesses in rural areas. But there’s still plenty going for it - affordable living, beautiful scenery, and strong community bonds. Plus, the healthcare in cities is good, it’s just rural areas that have trouble.
Alaska – 74.5 Years
Alaska is a wild card. The stunning natural landscape encourages physical activity, which can support a healthy lifestyle. But healthcare access is a huge challenge, especially in remote villages. Substance abuse and suicide rates are also high here.
Ohio – 74.5 Years
Ohio lands on the lower side of the life expectancy rankings, thanks in part to smoking, obesity, and economic stress in some regions. But it’s not all bad news - places like Columbus and Cleveland have strong medical systems and wellness resources.
Georgia – 74.3 Years
Georgia offers warm weather, friendly communities, and a growing focus on health… but the state still struggles with healthcare access in rural areas and higher-than-average rates of chronic disease. Some people risk their health to live in pretty Georgia and regret it later.
South Carolina – 73.5 Years
South Carolina offers warm weather and Southern charm, but health outcomes are mixed. The state constantly battles obesity and diabetes rates, especially in rural areas with limited healthcare access. Retirees love the slower pace and coastal living, but unfortunately that’s not enough to recommend the state.
New Mexico – 73.0 Years
New Mexico has sunshine, open space, and a rich cultural heritage - but also high poverty and limited healthcare in many areas. Rural residents often face serious barriers to preventive care, and chronic illness rates are a concern. Sometimes, sunshine isn’t enough.
Oklahoma – 72.7 Years
Oklahoma has one of the nation’s lowest life expectancies, mostly due to high rates of smoking, obesity, and heart disease. Many rural residents face healthcare shortages, and preventative care isn’t always easy to come by. They say they make them tough in Oklahoma, but that’s because they have to be.
Arkansas – 72.5 Years
Arkansas has some of the highest rates of obesity, smoking, and poverty in the country, which really drags down life expectancy. Healthcare access is limited in many rural areas, and chronic illness is a common issue. It does have one redeeming feature, though – strong communities.
Tennessee – 72.4 Years
Tennessee’s rich music scene, gorgeous scenery, and friendly communities are desirable for many, but health outcomes really aren’t great in the state. High rates of smoking, obesity, and chronic disease hold the place back. Rural areas in particular struggle with limited access to care.
Kentucky – 72.3 Years
Kentucky’s low life expectancy is tied to some hard-hitting issues: high smoking rates, poor nutrition, and limited healthcare in rural parts of the state. The place has long struggled with chronic health conditions, and it mars a beautiful state.
Louisiana – 72.2 Years
Louisiana is full of culture, food, and fun (and tourists) but also faces big hurdles in public health. High poverty rates, chronic illness, and limited healthcare access drag life expectancy down. Some people think the traditional Louisiana diet doesn’t help.
Alabama – 72.0 Years
Alabama’s charming towns and warm weather don’t balance out its health challenges. High rates of obesity, diabetes, and smoking take a toll, especially in rural communities with limited access to care. It’s not such a sweet home, Alabama after all.
West Virginia – 71.0 Years
West Virginia’s stunning mountains hide some serious public health struggles. The state has high rates of smoking, addiction, and chronic illness, especially in areas hit hard by economic decline, and that’s a lot of them. It is, unfortunately, a hard place to live in.
Mississippi – 70.9 Years
Mississippi sits at the bottom in life expectancy due to widespread poverty, limited healthcare access, and high rates of obesity and heart disease. Rural areas are especially affected. People here are resilient, but some would say it’s a shame they have to be.
