Many things affect individual longevity — genetics, smoking, drinking alcohol, lack of nutrition, stress and the luck of the draw to name a few. But as a recent study suggests, the life expectancy in different states varies pretty dramatically when you look at the population as a whole.
In April, the Journal of the American Medical Association published a study that ranks life expectancy at birth for each of the 50 states and the District of Columbia. They found that those born in the top-scoring state can expect to live 6.5 years longer than those in the lowest.
“There are wide differences in the burden of disease at the state level,” the study notes. “Specific diseases and risk factors, such as drug use disorders, high BMI, poor diet, high fasting plasma glucose level, and alcohol use disorders are increasing and warrant increased attention. These data can be used to inform national health priorities for research, clinical care, and policy.”
So it’s not that being born in (spoiler!) Mississippi shaves years off of your life, it’s that Mississippi residents have higher rates of behaviors that tend to shorten a lifespan.
Here’s the list from lowest to highest for life expectancy at birth as of 2016, the most recent year for which the study had data.
51. Mississippi
Average life expectancy: 74.7 years
The Magnolia State landed at the bottom of the list. The average life expectancy for those born in Mississippi is 6.5 years less than those born in the state that tops the rankings. It’s the only state with an average life expectancy below 75 years.
50. West Virginia
Average life expectancy: 75.3 years
Residents of West Virginia don’t live much longer, on average, than those in Mississippi, but the life expectancy there does manage to top 75 years.
49. Alabama
Average life expectancy: 75.4 years
Mississippi’s neighbor, Alabama, is third from the bottom of the list with an average life expectancy for its residents of 75.4 years, just slightly longer than West Virginia.
48. Louisiana
Average life expectancy: 75.4 years
Louisiana, home of lively New Orleans, sits with many of its Southern neighbors near the bottom of the list, also with an average life expectancy of 75.4 years.
47. Oklahoma
Average life expectancy: 75.7 years
Residents of the Sooner State of Oklahoma have an average life expectancy of 75.7 years.
46. Kentucky
Average life expectancy: 75.8 years
The Bluegrass State of Kentucky, a horse racing haven, has residents who live an average of 75.8 years.
45. Arkansas
Average life expectancy: 75.8 years
Arkansas is tied with Kentucky with an average life expectancy of 75.8 years.
44. Tennessee
Average life expectancy: 76.1 years
Residents of Tennessee, home to the Music City of Nashville, have an average life expectancy of 76.1 years.
43. South Carolina
Average life expectancy: 76.8 years
Scenic South Carolina, the Palmetto State, has residents who live an average of 76.8 years.
42. Indiana
Average life expectancy: 77.2 years
Indiana, home of the world-famous Indianapolis 500, is the first state to motor above an average life expectancy of 77 years, coming in at 77.2 years.
41. Georgia
Average life expectancy: 77.4 years
The Peach State of Georgia’s average life expectancy comes in at 77.4 years.
40. Missouri
Average life expectancy: 77.4 years
Residents in Midwestern Missouri join those in Southern Georgia in having an average life expectancy of 77.4 years.
39. Ohio
Average life expectancy: 77.5 years
Residents of the Buckeye State of Ohio have an average life expectancy of 77.5 years.
38. New Mexico
Average life expectancy: 77.8 years
Homer Simpson once exclaimed, “There’s a NEW Mexico?” There is indeed. Residents of this Southwestern state have an average life expectancy of 77.8 years.
37. North Carolina
Average life expectancy: 77.9 years
North Carolinians live, on average, more than a year longer than their neighbors in South Carolina.
36. Washington, D.C.
Average life expectancy: 78 years
It’s not a state, but the study still included the nation’s capital. Residents there have an average life expectancy of an even 78 years.
35. Michigan
Average life expectancy: 78 years
Like folks in Washington, D.C., Michigan residents’ average life expectancy is an even 78 years.
34. Alaska
Average life expectancy: 78.1 years
33. Nevada
Average life expectancy: 78.1 years
Don’t gamble with your health in Nevada, home of the nation’s gaming and casino capital. Residents there have an average life expectancy of 78.1 years.
32. Wyoming
Average life expectancy: 78.4 years
Folks from Wyoming’s western mountains to its eastern plains have an average life expectancy of 78.4 years.
31. Texas
Average life expectancy: 78.5 years
Residents of the Lone Star State of Texas can expect an average life expectancy of 78.5 years.
30. Kansas
Average life expectancy: 78.5 years
Like folks who live in Texas, Kansas residents have an average life expectancy of 78.5 years.
29. Pennsylvania
Average life expectancy: 78.5 years
Making it a three-way tie, Pennsylvania is the third state with an average life expectancy of 78.5 years.
28. Delaware
Average life expectancy: 78.6 years
Delaware earned its nickname “The First State” in 1787, when it was the first state to ratify the U.S. Constitution. Residents there have an average life expectancy of 78.6 years.
27. Montana
Average life expectancy: 78.9 years
The Big Sky Country of Montana is about mid-pack when it comes to life expectancy, with 78.9 years.
26. Maine
Average life expectancy: 79 years
Folks living in picturesque Maine, the state at the nation’s northeast tip, have an average life expectancy of an even 79 years.
25. South Dakota
Average life expectancy: 79.1 years
It’s not carved in stone, but South Dakota, home of Mount Rushmore, has an average life expectancy of 79.1 years.
24. Illinois
Average life expectancy: 79.1 years
Residents of Illinois, home to the Windy City of Chicago, also have an average life expectancy of 79.1 years.
23. Idaho
Average life expectancy: 79.1 years
Idaho joins Illinois and South Dakota in a three-way tie with an average life expectancy of 79.1 years.
22. Virginia
Average life expectancy: 79.2 years
Virginia, known as the Mother of Presidents because eight U.S. presidents were born there, has an average life expectancy of 79.2 years.
21. Maryland
Average life expectancy: 79.2
The Old Line State of Maryland also has an average life expectancy of 79.2 years.
20. Nebraska
Average life expectancy: 79.4 years
Residents of the Cornhusker State of Nebraska have an average life expectancy of 79.4 years.
19. Arizona
Average life expectancy: 79.5 years
Folks who live in sunny Arizona — where it may be hot, but at least it’s a “dry heat” — have an average life expectancy of 79.5 years.
18. Wisconsin
Average life expectancy: 79.5 years
Residents of Wisconsin, whether cheese lovers or not, also have an average life expectancy of 79.5 years.
17. Iowa
Average life expectancy: 79.5 years
Iowa residents join those in nearby Wisconsin and far-off Arizona in having an average life expectancy of 79.5 years.
16. Oregon
Average life expectancy: 79.5 years
Out in the Pacific Northwest, a fourth state, Oregon, can boast that its residents have an average life expectancy of 79.5 years.
15. Florida
Average life expectancy: 79.6 years
Sunshiny Florida, where many older Americans move after retirement, has an average life expectancy of 79.6 years.
14. Utah
Average life expectancy: 79.6 years
The Western state of Utah also has an average life expectancy of 79.6 years.
13. Rhode Island
Average life expectancy: 79.6 years
Residents of tiny Rhode Island, the smallest state by area, join those in Florida and Utah with an average life expectancy of 79.6 years.
12. North Dakota
Average life expectancy: 79.8 years
North Dakotans have an average life expectancy of 79.8 years, higher than their neighbors in South Dakota.
11. New Hampshire
Average life expectancy: 79.9 years
New Hampshire ties with North Dakota in having an average life expectancy of 79.9 years.
10. Vermont
Average life expectancy: 79.9 years
The Green Mountain State of Vermont has an average life expectancy of 79.9 years, the same as North Dakota and Vermont’s own neighbor, New Hampshire.
9. Washington
Average life expectancy: 80.2 years
The Evergreen State of Washington is the first state on the list with an average life expectancy over 80 years, coming in at 80.2.
8. New Jersey
Average life expectancy: 80.2 years
New Jersey residents also live longer than eight decades, on average, joining folks a continent away in Washington with a life expectancy of 80.2 years.
7. Colorado
Average life expectancy: 80.2 years
Between Washington and New Jersey is another state, Colorado, whose residents have average life expectancy of 80.2 years.
6. Massachusetts
Average life expectancy: 80.4 years
The Bay State of Massachusetts boasts residents with an average life expectancy of 80.4 years.
5. New York
Average life expectancy: 80.5 years
New York, the Empire State, and home of the City That Never Sleeps, has an average life expectancy of 80.5 years. Just four states left to go!
4. Minnesota
Average life expectancy: 80.8 years
Scenic Minnesota, the Land of 10,000 Lakes, has an average life expectancy of 80.8 years. Perhaps all those cold winters keep people there moving enough to get extra exercise?
3. Connecticut
Average life expectancy: 80.8 years
Not as cold as Minnesota, Connecticut also has an average life expectancy of 80.8 years.
2. California
Average life expectancy: 80.9 years
The Golden State of California climbed almost to the top of the list, with residents who have an average life expectancy of 80.9 years.
1. Hawaii
Average life expectancy: 81.3 years
And at the top of the list, with an average life expectancy of 81.3 years, is the tropical paradise of Hawaii. Is there a better place to enjoy a long life than on Hawaii’s beautiful beaches?
Where does your state fall in the rankings? Do you think your lifestyle is pretty typical in your state? Share your thoughts below or on our Facebook page.
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