States Where People Live the Longest

Average life expectancy at birth in Mississippi is the lowest of all states and has historically been low. The state’s life expectancy at birth in 1980 was 71.6 years, the second lowest in the nation.

As is generally the case in states with low life expectancy, Mississippi struggles with poverty, and residents report relatively unhealthy behaviors. At 19.6%, no state has a higher poverty rate. The Magnolia State also has the largest share of adults who do not exercise, at more than a third of the adult population. About 36.8% of adults in Mississippi are obese, more than any other state in the country.

Like every other state, life expectancy in West Virginia has improved since 1980. Even though a baby born in West Virginia is expected to live longer than a newborn in 1980, the increase of only 2.5 years is the second smallest. The state’s life expectancy rank dropped from 10th lowest in 1980 to second lowest of all states in 2015.

Obesity and smoking may be contributing factors. Mortality among smokers is about four times higher than among people who have never smoked, and West Virginia has the highest adult smoking rate, at 26.0%. The state’s adult obesity rate of 36.7% is the second highest of all states.

Similar to other states with the shortest life expectancies, Alabama residents report relatively unhealthy behaviors, such as physical inactivity and smoking. Over a fifth of adult residents report being in poor or fair health, the fifth highest share of all state, and about 35.5% of adults in Alabama are obese, the third highest obesity rate in the U.S.

Because of access to medical care, as well as other factors, income is one of the strongest predictors of life expectancy. Alabama struggles with poverty. The share of adults in the Cotton State who live below the poverty line is 15.5%, the seventh largest in the country. The median household income is just over $51,700 a year, the fifth lowest in the nation and far below the national median of $65,712 a year.

Average life expectancy at birth in Oklahoma has increased since 1980 by just over two years, the smallest increase among all 50 states. In 1980, Oklahoma was ranked 28th in life expectancy. By 2015, its rank had dropped to 47th.

In addition to obesity and lack of physical activity — the Sooner State ranks high in both — Oklahoma has the second highest share of the population without health insurance, at 14.3%. Research has shown that uninsured adults have worse access to care, receive poorer quality of care, and experience worse health outcomes than insured adults.

While a relatively small share of Kentucky’s population does not have health insurance, at 6.4%, many residents engage in unhealthy behaviors. The state has the seventh largest share of adults who don’t exercise and the second largest share of adults who smoke.

In addition, there are just over 66 primary care doctors available for every 100,000 residents of the Bluegrass State, the eighth lowest ratio in the country. Lack of primary care has been linked to poor health. About 23.9% of adults in Kentucky report being in poor or fair health, the third highest share of all states.

Life expectancy in Arkansas is longer compared to 1980 but only by three years, the fourth smallest increase in the United States over that time period. Lack of physical activity, which is a major cause of chronic diseases, may partially explain the relatively small improvement. The state has the second highest share of adult residents who don’t exercise regularly, at 31.6%.

Adult residents report feeling unhealthy an average of five days a month, the second most in the country. Overall, about 23.2% of adults in Arkansas report being in poor or fair health, the fourth largest share in the U.S.

Poverty and poor health are closely related. People who struggle financially tend to have worse health outcomes because of poorer access to health care as well as healthy foods and other lifestyle choices.

Louisiana is the state with the second largest share of the population living below the poverty line, at 19.0%. Relatively many households in the state live on incomes considerably lower than the poverty threshold. The Creole State has the highest share of households living on less than $10,000 a year. The median annual household income is the fourth lowest in the U.S. and about $15,000 less than the national median.

As is frequently the case in states with relatively low life expectancy, Tennessee has among the highest poverty, obesity, and smoking rates. The average number of physically unhealthy days per month reported by state residents is also among the highest compared with other states.

Lack of access to medical care is also a major factor in life expectancy. Tennessee is one of 12 states that have not expanded Medicaid to single, low-income adults between 19 and 64 years of age available to them under the Affordable Care Act.

The average newborn in South Carolina is expected to live 77.0 years, up from 71.8 years in 1980, when the state had the third lowest life expectancy in the country.

Staying physically active is a key component of a healthy lifestyle. But over a quarter of adults in the state don’t exercise. Regular exercise can help prevent obesity, which is associated with a host of adverse health outcomes, as well as several chronic conditions. South Carolina’s obesity rate is 32.9%, one of the highest in the nation.

Life expectancy has risen in all states over the last four decades. People born in Indiana in 2015 are expected to live almost four years longer than those born in 1980, but the improvement was ninth smallest and average life expectancy in the state remains among the lowest in the U.S.

Unhealthy behaviors may help explain Indiana’s relatively poor health outcomes. The state’s adult smoking rate, for example, at 21.8%, is the seventh highest of all states. About 26.7% of adults don’t engage in regular physical activity, the 11th highest share in the country, and 33.4% of adults are obese, the eighth highest obesity rate of all states.

Missouri’s life expectancy at birth had improved compared to 1980, but the life expectancy rank has dropped over the same period from 21st lowest to 11th lowest as the improvement was 14th smallest. Similar to other states where life expectancy has not improved much compared to other states, Missouri has a high share of residents who smoke and who have no health coverage.

Other likely factors contributing to the state’s relatively low life expectancy may be the 25.8% share of adults who do not exercise, which is 16th highest, and the 32.2% adult obesity rate, also the 16th highest.

Ohio, the seventh most populous state in the country, has the 15th highest poverty rate in the country, at 13.1%. People who struggle financially face many health challenges, including being more likely to develop stress-related conditions. Adults residents of Ohio report more than four mentally unhealthy days a month, more than most states.

The share of people in the state engaging in unhealthy behaviors like smoking and living a sedentary lifestyle — both of which are among the highest in the U.S. — may also contribute to the state’s relatively poor health outcomes.

Georgia residents have improved their lifestyle since 1980. The result has been an increase of almost six more years in the state’s average life expectancy at birth, the 14th largest increase. The state moved from having the fourth lowest life expectancy in 1980 to 13th lowest of all states in 2015.

What may still be holding Georgia back is its high poverty rate of 13.3% as well as the large share of residents who do not have health insurance. At 13.4%, the uninsured rate is the third highest in the country. Working people with no health coverage have 40% higher mortality risk than those who have private insurance, according to research published in the American Journal of Public Health.

North Carolina has the 14th lowest average life expectancy of all states. The state has a relatively high poverty rate, uninsured rate, and share of households with an annual income of less than $10,000, all of which increase the risk of poorer health outcomes in populations.

About a quarter of North Carolina residents report no regular physical activity. That may partially be due to the lack of easily accessible gyms and other places for physical activity. About 74% of the state’s population has access to such facilities, the 10th lowest share in the country and significantly lower than the national average of 84%.

The differences in average life expectancy at birth across states are closely related to differences in socioeconomic and health-related behaviors, such as the share of college-educated adults and smoking rate.

In Michigan, the percentage of adults with at least a bachelor’s degree is 30.0%. While this share is higher compared to other states with shorter life expectancies, it is below the national bachelor’s degree attainment rate of 33.1%. Additionally, approximately one in every five adults in the state smoke, among the highest smoking rates of all states.

Nevada has one of the highest uninsured rates as well as one of the largest shares of adults with no access to places for physical activity. The Silver State also has among the smallest shares of adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher. Education contributes to more active communication, which research has found to be crucial in health care. Better-educated people tend not only to have better-understanding of healthy choices, but they also tend to have higher incomes, enabling better access to health care and healthy choices.

In addition, there are just over 56 primary care doctors available for every 100,000 residents of the state, the second lowest ratio in the country. Lack of primary care has been linked to poor health. About 19.9% of adults in Nevada report being in poor or fair health, the 10th highest share of all states.

New Mexico’s life expectancy rank compared to other states has worsened since 1980, dropping from 24th highest to 17th lowest as the improvement in life expectancy was 18th smallest. Lowering poverty can improve health outcomes, and New Mexico’s poverty rate of 18.2% is the third highest in the country and significantly higher than the national poverty rate of 12.3%.

With 17.5% of adults in the state smoking, New Mexico has a higher smoking rate than most states. Just over a fifth of residents report being in poor or fair health, one of the largest shares of all states. Additionally, residents report having almost four and a half physically unhealthy days a month, more than all but seven states.

Though like all states life expectancy in Kansas increased since 1980, the increase was eighth smallest and the state’s life expectancy rank dropped from 10th highest to 33rd highest.

What seems to be driving this change is the high obesity rate in the state. Obesity is associated with a host of adverse health outcomes. At 33.2%, the adult obesity rate is the ninth highest in the country and higher than the national rate of 29.0%.

Montana has the 10th highest excessive drinking rate at 20.9%. Excessive drinking is the third leading preventable cause of death in the United States. Regular and excessive consumption of alcohol can result in chronic conditions and other long-term health problems, such as high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, liver disease, and certain cancers.

About 45.1% of driving deaths in Montana involve alcohol, the second highest share of all states and well above the national share of 28.0%. The state also has the seventh highest injury mortality rate, at 91.5 per 100,000 people, compared to 70.0 per 100,000 nationwide.

About 23.1% of Pennsylvania adults do not engage in physical activity, about the same as the national average. Lack of exercise has been consistently linked to poor physical and mental health. Still, the numbers of both physically and mentally unhealthy days a month that adults in the state report are higher than the national averages,and life expectancy is slightly lower than the national average.

Other unhealthy behaviors may also contribute to some of the poorer health outcomes in the state. The adult smoking rate of 18.7% is higher than most states.

Delaware is one of the 10 states with the largest share of adults who do not exercise, and lack of physical activity can lead to increased risk of chronic diseases.

The concentration of physicians in the First State is slightly below the nationwide average. There are 72 primary care doctors per 100,000 state residents, compared to 75 per 100,000 nationwide. The number of dentists per capita is also low. There are 47 dentists per 100,000 people, the second lowest concentration in the United States. Dentists can check for unhealthy teeth and gum disease, which some research suggests can be an indication of heart problems.

The increase in life expectancy at birth in Alaska since 1980 is among the highest in the country. Average life expectancy at birth in Alaska in 2015 was more than six years higher than 35 years earlier.

Still, Alaska has the seventh highest share of residents without health insurance at 12.2%, compared to a national average of 9.2%.

The second most populous state in the country has the highest share of the population with no health insurance, at 18.4%, compared to a national uninsured share of 9.2%. Lack of health insurance has been linked to increased risk of serious health problems, including chronic diseases and higher mortality.

In addition, there are just over 61 primary care doctors available for every 100,000 residents, the fourth lowest ratio in the country. Lack of primary care has been linked to poor health. About 20.8% of adults in Texas report being in poor or fair health, the seventh highest share of all states.

Wyoming’s life expectancy at birth in 2015 is about the same as the national average of 78.7. The least populous state in the country has the sixth highest share of residents who do not have health insurance coverage at 12.3%. Working people with no health coverage have 40% higher mortality risk than those who have private insurance, according to research published in the American Journal of Public Health.

Wyoming also has the fifth highest injury mortality rate per 100,000 people, at 92 compared to a national average of 70. Unintentional injury was the third leading cause of death among all in the U.S. in 2018, according to the CDC.

Average life expectancy in Maine has increased from 74.5 years at birth in 1980 to 79.0 years in 2015. Reducing drunk driving deaths in the state may increase life expectancy even more. At 36.7%, the state has the fifth highest share of driving deaths with alcohol involvement.

In addition, almost 30% of adult residents are obese, just slightly over the national average of 29.0%. Obesity is associated with a host of adverse health outcomes, including heart disease.

Illinois’ average life expectancy has improved by just more than six years over the last four decades — the ninth largest improvement in the country.

The Prairie State has higher than average concentrations of primary care doctors and dentists per 100,000 residents, and a lower than the national average adult smoking rate. However, the share of adults drinking excessively is high (21.4%, sixth highest in the country), as is the share of preventable hospitalizations (5,092 per 1,000 Medicare enrollees, the 11th highest rate).

Idaho’s life expectancy rank has dropped significantly since 1980, from the seventh highest to tied for 22nd highest as the improvement of over four years was the 13th smallest of all states.

While the shares of adults smoking and drinking excessively are slightly lower than their respective national averages, and the share of adults who are obese is in line with the national adult obesity rate, the share of state residents who lack health insurance is higher than the national share. About 10.8% of residents are uninsured compared to 9.2% of Americans nationwide. Research has shown that uninsured adults have worse access to care, receive poorer quality of care, and experience worse health outcomes than insured adults.

South Dakota’s average life expectancy at birth rank compared to other states has significantly declined, from the 13th highest life expectancy in 1980 to 22nd highest just 35 years later as the improvement in life expectancy was 22nd smallest.

Adults in the state report among the fewest mentally and physically unhealthy days a month. The state also has the fourth lowest share of adults who report being in poor health. The state has a percentage of alcohol-related deaths — 36.7% of driving deaths involve alcohol, the fourth highest share in the country.

Compared to 1980, life expectancy at birth has risen in all states. The improvement in Virginia has been especially large. A Virginia newborn in 1980 was expected to live 73.1 years, the 15th lowest expectancy among states at that time. Today, the state’s life expectancy at birth of 79.4 years is in the higher half of states.

Virginia’s relatively long life expectancy at birth, while still lower than 21 states, can be attributed, in part, to high college attainment and high incomes in the state, both factors shown to improve health and life expectancy in populations. Of adults in the state, 39.6% have at least a bachelor’s degree, the sixth highest college attainment rate of all states. The typical household in the state has an annual income of $76.456, 10th highest in the nation.

Iowa had one of the smallest life expectancy improvements between 1980 and 2015, and as a result, its ranking dropped, from fifth highest in 1980 to 21st highest in 2015.

The Hawkeye State has a high adult obesity rate as well as a high excessive drinking rate. At 33.2%, Iowa’s adult obesity rate is the ninth highest among all states, and at 22.1%, Iowa’s share of adults who report excessive drinking is the third largest.

Residents of wealthier areas have better access to high quality medical care and to healthy food. Both factors are associated with higher life expectancy, and wealthier states tend to have higher life expectancy. Maryland has the highest median household income of any state, at $86,738, more than $20,000 than the typical household income average, but far from the highest life expectancy.

Still, average life expectancy in Maryland has improved significantly in recent decades from 72.8 years in 1980 — in the bottom 10 of states at that time — to 79.6 years in 2015. The nearly seven years improvement is higher than in all but three states.

Nebraska’s life expectancy at birth ranking over the last four decades has dropped significantly, from sixth highest in 1980 to 20th highest in 2015 as the improvement in life expectancy was 15th smallest. This may be partially due several unhealthy behaviors and negative health outcomes.

Some 21.7% of state adult residents report excessive drinking, the fourth highest share of all states and higher than the national share of 19.0%. Similarly, the state’s adult obesity rate is higher than the national share.

Just as lack of access to medical care can adversely affect life expectancy, a strong health system can help improve high life expectancy. For every 100,000 Oregon residents, there are 94 primary care physicians, 80 dentists, and 522 mental health providers — all in the top 10 among states.

The adult obesity and smoking rates in the stat are lower than their respective national averages. Additionally, Oregon residents appear to be physically active. At 17.2%, Oregon has the third lowest share of the adult population that does not exercise regularly.

At 24.2%, no other state has a higher share of adults who drink excessively than Wisconsin. Defined by the CDC as having at least five drinks during one occasion for men and four for women, excessive drinking has been linked to higher risk of heart disease, cancer, and mental health problems, all of which can increase mortality risk.

Despite the high excessive drinking rate, more Wisconsin residents tend to report several healthy behaviors compared to the rest of the country. Both the share of the state adult population that smokes and leads a sedentary lifestyle is lower than the national averages.

Despite ranking among the states with the highest life expectancy, North Dakota used to rank even higher. The state’s life expectancy rank dropped from fourth highest in 1980 to 16th highest in 2015 as the improvement in average life expectancy over that time was 10th smallest.

Poor health outcomes and unhealthy behaviors may be contributing to the Peace Garden State’s dip. Some 32.7% of state adults are obese, higher than the 29.0% national rate. And about 24.1% of adults report excessive drinking, the second highest share of all states.

Despite declining in ranking for life expectancy of states since 1980, Utah has remained among the states with a higher life expectancy. The state has among the lowest adult obesity and physical inactivity rates.

The state has a fairly large share of uninsured people, which at 9.7% is the 17th highest of all states. People with no health insurance coverage have worse access to health care due to high cost and are less likely to receive care. Additionally, Utah has the third lowest ratio of primary care doctors to population at 58 per 100,000 residents.

Unlike most states with higher than the national average life expectancy at birth, the poverty rate and uninsured rate in Arizona are relatively high. About 13.5% of Arizonans live in poverty, and 11.3% do not have health insurance, the 13th and the ninth highest percentage of all states, respectively.

However, the adult obesity rate, at 27.5%, is lower than the national average of 29.0%, and just about a fifth of adults tend to be physically inactive, also a lower share than the national average.

Access to health care may help explain Rhode Island’s ranking among the states with the longer average life expectancy. The smallest state by area has the fourth largest concentration of primary care doctors and the sixth largest concentration of mental health providers per 100,000 people. Additionally, the state has the second lowest share of uninsured residents at just 4.1%.

The state’s adult smoking and obesity rates are slightly below the national rates of 28.0% and 18.0%, respectively.

Vermont’s life expectancy at birth in 1980 was higher than most other states. Since then, it has improved faster than most states, rising by 5.5 years, the 15th largest increase.

Good access to health services across a population often translates to better health outcomes because of the better odds of treating chronic health issues and catching serious health problems early. No state has more primary care physicians per capita than Vermont, where for every 100,000 people there are 113 doctors. The concentration of mental health providers, at 457 per 100,000, is fourth highest of all states.

A person born in Florida in 2015 is expected to live 80.1 years, compared to the average life expectancy at birth in the state of 74.0 in 1980. The state has had one of the larger improvements in life expectancy, increasing by 6.1 years over the last 35 years.

While socioeconomic factors like health insurance coverage rates and median household income frequently help explain differences in life expectancy, this is not always the case. In Florida, 13.2% of people are uninsured, unusually high for a state with a relatively long life expectancy at birth. What may help explain the Sunshine State’s long life expectancy are residents’ avoidance of unhealthy behaviors such as smoking and excessive drinking. The state rates for both are lower than the national averages.

Life expectancy in New Hampshire has continued to be among the highest over the years. Two reasons may help explain the consistent relatively high life expectancy: relatively high educational attainment and low poverty, both of which have been linked to better overall health and longer life expectancy.

No other state has a lower poverty rate than New Hampshire, and only one has a lower share of households living on annual incomes of $10,000 or less. The Granite State has the ninth highest share of adults with a bachelor’s degree.

Washington state has had among the longer life expectancy of all states over the last four decades. One possible reason may be the high share of the adult population who engage in physical activity. Only 17.0% do not exercise, the second lowest share and significantly lower than the 23.0% nationwide share. The state’s adult obesity rate is lower than the national rate.

The Evergreen State is also among those with the highest concentration of primary care doctors, dentists, and mental health care providers per 100,000 residents.

Colorado’s average life expectancy at birth has remained among the highest since 1980. The Centennial State has the lowest adult obesity rate in the country as well as the lowest share of adult residents who don’t exercise.

In terms of overall health measures, Colorado adult residents report among the lowest numbers of physically unhealthy days per month. The state also has among the lowest share of adults reporting poor or fair health, and among the lowest rate of preventable hospitalizations and people living below the poverty lines.

New Jersey’s average life expectancy at birth has significantly improved over the last four decades, more than all but two other states. As a result, its ranking improved from having the 29 highest life expectancy in 1980 to seventh highest in 2015.

The Garden States has among the highest education attainment rates and household incomes of all states and among the lowest poverty rates. These factors — in addition to a lower than the national average adult obesity and smoking rates — may have contributed to the state’s nearly seven-year increase in life expectancy.

Massachusetts has significantly improved its standing when it comes to life expectancy, moving up 10 spots since 1980.

At just 3.0%, no state has a lower share of uninsured residents. Massachusetts’ low adult obesity rate, at 24.7%, is the fourth lowest adult obesity rate in the country. In addition, the Bay State has the highest concentration of mental health providers and dentists per capita and the third highest concentration of primary care physicians.

Connecticut has among the highest concentration of primary doctors, dentists, and mental health providers per 100,000 people in the country. Access to health care may help partially explain the state’s high life expectancy over the years.

The state has the third lowest adult smoking rate as well as the fifth lowest share of adults who report being in poor or fair health. Staying physically active — as more adults in Connecticut report to do compared to the rest of the U.S. — may also contribute to better health outcomes. Just 20.4% of residents don’t exercise, the 10th lowest share in the U.S. About 25.8% of adults in the state are obese, the seventh lowest share of all states.

Minnesota has been in the top five states for life expectancy since at least the 1980s. Socioeconomic factors, such as the fourth lowest poverty rate in the country and the fourth smallest share of households living on less than $10,000 a year, may help explain this.

The state also has the fifth lowest share of uninsured people, at only 4.9%, compared to a national share of 9.2%.

New York’s life expectancy at birth rose by nearly eight years between 1980 and 2015, the largest improvement in the nation.

As is often the case in states with high life expectancy, measures such as New York’s relatively low obesity rate and high college attainment rate reflect healthy lifestyles and advantages that support longer lives. One in four state adults are obese, versus approximately one in three adults nationwide. The share of adults with at least a bachelor’s degree of 37.8% is eighth highest of all states.

Residents of California have significantly improved their lifestyle, increasing the average life expectancy in the state significantly, and jumping from having the 20th highest life expectancy in 1980 to having the second highest in 2015.

The Golden State has the second lowest share of obese adults, the fourth lowest share of adults who do not exercise, and the second lowest share of adults who smoke.

Despite a relatively average increase in life expectancy over the last 35 years compared to other states, Hawaii continues to be the state with the longest life expectancy year after year at least since 1980.

The Aloha State has the third lowest obesity rate in the country and the fourth lowest smoking rate. Residents tend to have relatively better access to health care with the state having among the highest number of primary care doctors and dentists per capita. The state has the third lowest share of residents with no health insurance, which may explain the number of preventable hospitalizations per 1,000 Medicare enrollees being the lowest in the U.S., more than half the national average.