In a time when wellness and longevity are gaining unprecedented attention, a new study reveals that geographic location plays a crucial role in determining life expectancy for Americans. The findings, based on an analysis of the latest CDC data, illustrate the stark regional disparities in health and longevity, emphasizing that where you live may be just as impactful as how you live.
Hawaii tops the charts with an impressive average life expectancy of 79.9 years. Here, the gender divide is notable, with men averaging 77 years and women reaching 83.1 years—the highest female life expectancy in the country. Following closely is Massachusetts, where residents live an average of 79.6 years. The Bay State’s robust healthcare system is reflected in its male and female life expectancies of 76.9 and 82.2 years, respectively.
Connecticut ranks third with a total life expectancy of 79.2 years. Men in Connecticut live to about 76.3 years, while women can expect to live to 82 years. New Jersey and New York share the fourth spot, each with a life expectancy of 79 years. Both states demonstrate consistent figures across genders, with men living to 76.3 years and women to 81.6 years.
Minnesota is fifth on the list, boasting an average life expectancy of 78.8 years, with men at 76.3 and women at 81.4 years. New Hampshire and Rhode Island tie for sixth place, each showing an average life expectancy of 78.5 years, indicating a healthy demographic in the Northeast.
The downward trend in life expectancy is starkly illustrated at the other end of the spectrum, with Mississippi marking the lowest average life expectancy in the nation at just 70.9 years. This significant gap of nearly ten years compared to Hawaii highlights the severe health disparities across states. In Mississippi, men live to an average of 67.7 years and women to 74.3 years.
West Virginia follows as the second-lowest, with an average life expectancy of 71 years. Alabama and Louisiana come next, both displaying low life expectancies rooted in various health challenges. Tennessee rounds out the bottom of the list, emphasizing the public health concerns prevalent in these states.
The findings of this study serve as a reminder that while individual lifestyle choices can impact longevity, systemic factors tied to geographic location, including access to healthcare, socioeconomic status, and public health policies, considerably shape the overall health and well-being of communities. As the trend toward longevity continues to grow, understanding these disparities will be crucial in addressing health inequalities across the United States.
Complete US state life expectancy rankings:
| Rank | State | Total Life Expectancy (Years) | Male Life Expectancy (Years) | Female Life Expectancy (Years) |
| 1 | Hawaii | 79.9 | 77 | 83.1 |
| 2 | Massachusetts | 79.6 | 76.9 | 82.2 |
| 3 | Connecticut | 79.2 | 76.3 | 82 |
| 4 | New Jersey | 79 | 76.3 | 81.6 |
| 4 | New York | 79 | 76.3 | 81.6 |
| 5 | Minnesota | 78.8 | 76.3 | 81.4 |
| 6 | New Hampshire | 78.5 | 76.1 | 81.1 |
| 6 | Rhode Island | 78.5 | 75.9 | 81 |
| 7 | Vermont | 78.4 | 75.7 | 81.2 |
| 8 | California | 78.3 | 75.3 | 81.4 |
| 9 | Utah | 78.2 | 76.3 | 80.2 |
| 9 | Washington | 78.2 | 75.8 | 80.8 |
| 10 | Nebraska | 77.8 | 75.4 | 80.3 |
| 10 | Wisconsin | 77.8 | 75.2 | 80.5 |
| 11 | Colorado | 77.7 | 75 | 80.6 |
| 11 | Iowa | 77.7 | 75.2 | 80.4 |
| 12 | North Dakota | 77.6 | 75 | 80.5 |
| 13 | Oregon | 77.4 | 74.8 | 80.2 |
| 14 | Idaho | 77.2 | 74.8 | 79.7 |
| 14 | Maryland | 77.2 | 74.3 | 79.9 |
| 15 | Illinois | 77.1 | 74.2 | 80 |
| 16 | Virginia | 76.8 | 74.2 | 79.4 |
| 17 | Maine | 76.7 | 73.8 | 79.8 |
| 18 | South Dakota | 76.6 | 74.1 | 79.3 |
| 19 | Pennsylvania | 76.4 | 73.6 | 79.3 |
| 20 | Delaware | 76.3 | 73.3 | 79.4 |
| 21 | Florida | 76.1 | 73.1 | 79.3 |
| 22 | Kansas | 76 | 73.4 | 78.7 |
| 23 | Montana | 75.8 | 73.1 | 78.8 |
| 24 | Michigan | 75.7 | 72.9 | 78.6 |
| 25 | Texas | 75.4 | 72.7 | 78.3 |
| 26 | Nevada | 75.1 | 72.4 | 78.2 |
| 27 | Arizona | 75 | 72 | 78.3 |
| 27 | Wyoming | 75 | 72.5 | 77.7 |
| 28 | North Carolina | 74.9 | 72 | 77.9 |
| 29 | Indiana | 74.6 | 71.8 | 77.5 |
| 29 | Missouri | 74.6 | 71.6 | 77.8 |
| 30 | Alaska | 74.5 | 72.2 | 77.3 |
| 30 | Ohio | 74.5 | 71.7 | 77.5 |
| 31 | Georgia | 74.3 | 71.6 | 77.1 |
| 32 | South Carolina | 73.5 | 70.4 | 76.7 |
| 33 | New Mexico | 73 | 69.4 | 77 |
| 34 | Oklahoma | 72.7 | 70 | 75.6 |
| 35 | Arkansas | 72.5 | 69.7 | 75.6 |
| 36 | Tennessee | 72.4 | 69.4 | 75.5 |
| 37 | Kentucky | 72.3 | 69.6 | 75.3 |
| 38 | Louisiana | 72.2 | 68.8 | 75.9 |
| 39 | Alabama | 72 | 68.9 | 75.3 |
| 40 | West Virginia | 71 | 68.1 | 74.2 |
| 41 | Mississippi | 70.9 | 67.7 | 74.3 |
