How Long Will You Live? Life Expectancy for each U.S. State Reveals Stark Differences
“Longevity” is a trending topic now, with anti-ageing supplements, cold water plunges, and sleep optimization becoming everyday rituals we’re expected to perform to extend our lives. But while much of the focus is on how we live, an interesting new study suggests that where we live may matter just as much.
According to research by hormone health clinic Feel30, some states have a higher life expectancy than others. Some examples from that study:
- Hawaii ranks top, with an average life expectancy at 79.9 years, and Mississippi ranks last, with residents living almost ten years less than those in Hawaii.
- Maryland comes in as 14th with those residents living an average of 77.2 years, with men at 74.3 and women at 79..9.
- Ranking 21st among U.S. states, Florida residents live an average of 76.1 years, with men at 73.1 and women at 79.3.
The study, which analyzed the latest CDC data on life expectancy across all 50 US states, found a significant nine-year gap between the highest and lowest-ranked states, highlighting substantial regional health disparities.
Hawaii stands at the top of the rankings with an impressive total life expectancy of 79.9 years. The gender breakdown shows Hawaiian men living to 77 years on average, while women in the state live to 83.1 years – the highest female life expectancy in the nation.
Massachusetts takes second place with a life expectancy of 79.6 years. Men in the Bay State live to an average of 76.9 years, while women reach 82.2 years, demonstrating the state’s strong healthcare infrastructure and quality of life.
Connecticut secures the third position with residents living an average of 79.2 years. The Constitution State shows a typical gender divide, with men living to 76.3 years and women to 82 years.
New Jersey and New York share fourth place, both with a life expectancy of 79 years. The two neighboring states show identical figures for male life expectancy at 76.3 years and female life expectancy at 81.6 years.
Minnesota ranks fifth with a total life expectancy of 78.8 years. The North Star State shows men living to 76.3 years and women to 81.4 years, placing it firmly among the top performers in the country.
New Hampshire and Rhode Island tie for the sixth position, with residents of both states living an average of 78.5 years. New Hampshire residents see men reaching 76.1 years and women 81.1 years, while Rhode Island shows men at 75.9 years and women at 81 years.
Vermont follows closely in seventh place with a life expectancy of 78.4 years. The Green Mountain State records male life expectancy at 75.7 years and female at 81.2 years.
California ranks eighth with residents living an average of 78.3 years. The Golden State shows men living to 75.3 years and women to 81.4 years.
Utah and Washington tie for the ninth position with a life expectancy of 78.2 years. Utah stands out with a relatively high male life expectancy of 76.3 years and female life expectancy of 80.2 years, while Washington records 75.8 years for men and 80.8 years for women.
Rounding out the top ten are Nebraska and Wisconsin, both with a life expectancy of 77.8 years. Nebraska shows men living to 75.4 years and women to 80.3 years, while Wisconsin records 75.2 years for men and 80.5 years for women.
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Top 10 states with the highest life expectancy:
| 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 |
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At the other end of the scale, Mississippi ranks last with the lowest life expectancy in the nation at 70.9 years. The Magnolia State shows men living to just 67.7 years and women to 74.3 years, nearly nine years shorter than their counterparts in Hawaii.
West Virginia ranks second-lowest with a life expectancy of 71 years. The Mountain State records male life expectancy at 68.1 years and female at 74.2 years, the lowest female life expectancy among all states.
Alabama takes the third-lowest position with residents living an average of 72 years. The state’s figures show men reaching 68.9 years and women 75.3 years.
Louisiana ranks fourth from the bottom with a life expectancy of 72.2 years. The Pelican State shows men living to 68.8 years and women to 75.9 years.
Kentucky holds the fifth-lowest position with a total life expectancy of 72.3 years. The Bluegrass State records male life expectancy at 69.6 years and female at 75.3 years.
Tennessee ranks sixth from the bottom with residents living an average of 72.4 years. In the Volunteer State, men reach 69.4 years while women live to 75.5 years.
Arkansas takes the seventh-lowest position with a life expectancy of 72.5 years. The Natural State records men living to 69.7 years and women to 75.6 years.
Oklahoma ranks eighth from the bottom with a total life expectancy of 72.7 years, where men live to 70 years and women 75.6 years.
New Mexico holds the ninth-lowest position with residents living an average of 73 years. The state shows a notable gender gap, with men living to 69.4 years and women to 77 years.
South Carolina rounds out the bottom ten with a life expectancy of 73.5 years. The Palmetto State records male life expectancy at 70.4 years and female at 76.7 years.
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10 states with the lowest life expectancy:
| Rank | State | Total Life Expectancy (Years) | Male Life Expectancy (Years) | Female Life Expectancy (Years) |
| 1 | Mississippi | 70.9 | 67.7 | 74.3 |
| 2 | West Virginia | 71 | 68.1 | 74.2 |
| 3 | Alabama | 72 | 68.9 | 75.3 |
| 4 | Louisiana | 72.2 | 68.8 | 75.9 |
| 5 | Kentucky | 72.3 | 69.6 | 75.3 |
| 6 | Tennessee | 72.4 | 69.4 | 75.5 |
| 7 | Arkansas | 72.5 | 69.7 | 75.6 |
| 8 | Oklahoma | 72.7 | 70 | 75.6 |
| 9 | New Mexico | 73 | 69.4 | 77 |
| 10 | South Carolina | 73.5 | 70.4 | 76.7 |
The findings reveal clear regional patterns in life expectancy across the United States. Northeastern states account for six of the top ten positions, while Southern states make up eight of the bottom ten.
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Anneliese Cadena, Lead Nurse Practitioner at Feel30 commented:
“These significant regional differences in life expectancy highlight how location and access to healthcare can dramatically impact longevity.”
“What’s particularly striking is the consistent gender gap across all states, with women outliving men by five to seven years on average. This gap exists regardless of a state’s overall ranking.”
“For men concerned about health and longevity, these figures serve as a reminder of the importance of proactive health management. Hormone optimization, including testosterone replacement therapy when appropriate, can address many age-related health concerns that may be contributing to this gap.”
“Regular health screenings, proper nutrition, stress management, healthy sleep habits, and maintaining physical activity are fundamental for those looking to increase their healthy years. The goal isn’t just adding years to life, but adding life to those years.”
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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 |
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To all of our Ace News Today readers, “Live Long and Prosper”
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Methodology: This study used the CDC’s latest data on US life expectancy to rank each US state based on their estimated life expectancy at birth.
Sources: Feel30 per CDC findings at https://cdc.gov/nchs/data-visualization/state-life-expectancy/index_2021.htm
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Posted by Richard Webster, Ace News Today
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