These Are the U.S. Towns Where People Live the Longest

Location, location, location: We’ve crunched new research from 24/7 Wall St, Best Life Magazine, Livability, and the Health Inequality Project on the link between where you live and how long you live. Income certainly plays a role, with people in the top income quartile living an average of six years longer than those in the bottom quartile. Still, some cities just happen to have longer-lived residents. Read on to discover where Americans enjoy the longest life expectancy.

By Andréana Lefton | Published Sep 20, 2018 04:11 PM

Naples, Florida

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Naples FL Life Expectancy

“The happiest, healthiest city in the U.S.” is Naples, where average life expectancy is the highest in the nation: 83.4 years. Naples has a culture of health, including lifelong learning, a high level of affluence, and plenty of natural beauty, from Freedom Park to the manatees that swim in nearby waters.

Related: The 30 Best Towns to Move to for Retirement

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San Jose, California

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San Jose CA Life Expectancy

For all income levels, San Jose ranks high on places to live for increased longevity—average life expectancy is about 83 years. Unlike other California cities (like Los Angeles), San Jose is walkable, a feature that probably decreases the risk of obesity and heart disease.

Related: Pedestrians Only: 20 Car-Free Places in America

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Irvine, California

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Irvine CA Life Expectancy

Another California hot spot for healthy living is Irvine, ranked Orange County’s #1 best place to live in 2018. The city also receives high marks for its public schools, cultural diversity, and family life. Weekend farmers' markets encourage healthy habits.

Related: 50 Must-Visit Tiny Towns Across America

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Ames, Iowa

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Ames IA Life Expectancy

Health meets heart in Ames, where in recent years edible landscaping has turned into a community food pantry, made possible by volunteers who harvest crops and feed the hungry. People in Ames live an average of 82 years, fueled by good food, music, sports, and community spirit.

Related: The 20 Friendliest Cities in America

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Rochester, Minnesota

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Rochester MN Life Expectancy

Ranked #1 on Livability’s 2017 Best Places to Live, Rochester is home to the Mayo Clinic and draws professionals, students, and artists from around the world. The diverse population, pristine state parks, and winter sports all play a role in achieving a life expectancy of 82 years.

Related: 10 National Parks That Look More Stunning in the Snow

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Corvallis, Oregon

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Corvallis OR Life Expectancy

With easy access to breathtaking nature, a culture of civic engagement, and an exciting intellectual life (thanks to Oregon State University), Corvallis promotes an active lifestyle. If you’re going to live about 82 years, why not make them vibrant?

Related: 11 Crazy Colorful Homes We Love

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State College, Pennsylvania

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State College PA Life Expectancy

Thanks to Penn State University, this college town is a thriving hub of culture and community. Nature and art feed the soul at places like the Arboretum and the Palmer Museum of Art, where long-lived residents can spend some of their 81.9 years.

Related: The Most Charming College Towns to Visit This Fall

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Bridgeport, Connecticut

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Bridgeport CT Life Expectancy

People live about 81.8 years in Bridgeport, Connecticut’s largest city. A former industrial town, Bridgeport is also known as the Park City, with green spaces in every neighborhood and more than its share of beaches and seaside walks.

Related: Love Old Houses? These Are the Airbnbs for You

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Plano, Texas

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Plano TX Life Expectancy

Plano, where people live almost 82 years on average, makes the grade for quality of life on Livability’s top 100 list. This Texas town is also a thriving corporate hub, with big names like Dr Pepper, Pizza Hut, and J.C. Penney headquartered there.

Related: 13 All-But-Forgotten Company Towns Around the Country

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McKinney, Texas

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McKinney TX Life Expectancy

In McKinney, the average lifespan is almost 82 years, and the city ranks high for factors that increase longevity, including the use of preventive services (34.75 percent) and annual checkups (69.3 percent). Residents and visitors alike take advantage of local attractions like the Heard Natural Science Museum and Wildlife Sanctuary.

Related: 35 Tiny Towns That Attract Hordes of Tourists Every Year

Wikimedia Commons via Michael Barera

McAllen, Texas

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McAllen TX Life Expectancy

Texas is a hot spot for long-lifers, some of whom reside in McAllen, where folks live, on average, up to 81 years or more. Community spirit reigns in this border town, and immigrants are welcome, resulting in a booming local economy that's powered by diversity.

Related: 20 Places with (Almost) Zero Crime

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Fort Collins, Colorado

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Fort Collins CO Life Expectancy

A top-100 place to live in the United States, Fort Collins is known as a high-tech industry leader, education provider, and cultural incubator that nurtures local arts and breweries. Residents burn off the extra calories at Fossil Creek Reservoir and other state parks, and thanks to these active habits, they live on average 81.7 years.

Related: Endless Acres: 14 of the Biggest Properties in America

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Bellingham, Washington

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Bellingham WA Life Expectancy

Higher education, natural beauty, and a growing foodie scene in Bellingham attract people who want to learn, earn, and have fun. That balance of work and play pay off, with people living an average of 81 years.

Related: 18 American Towns Every Old-House Lover Needs to See

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Bellevue, Washington

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Bellevue WA Life Expectancy

Bellevue literally means “beautiful view”—which is not an overstatement. Situated on the shores of Lake Washington, this small city is teeming with things to do, including an annual arts and crafts fair. Lifespan stretches to 81 years, on average.

Related: 35 Lake Towns for a Weekend Adventure

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Overland Park, Kansas

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Overland Park KS Life Expectancy

If you’re looking to buy a home and raise a family, check out Overland Park, which ranks in the top 10 cities for home buyers and families, and is overall a great place to live. Take your kids to visit the Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead, where healthy fun includes hayrides, learning to milk a cow, and feeding farm animals.

Related: 20 Beautiful Homes Hiding in America's Most Affordable Cities

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Manhattan, Kansas

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Manhattan KS Life Expectancy

Another small city that may help extend your lifespan is Manhattan, Kansas, which is also among the top 10 college towns. In this city near the Flint Hills, average longevity reaches 81 years. The economy is strong, thanks to Kansas State University, and residents enjoy local art, international food, and a homegrown love of baseball.

Related: Take a Peek Inside 11 Charming Carriage Houses

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Honolulu, Hawaii

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Honolulu HI Life Expectancy

In Honolulu, climate, natural wonders, and healthy eating are just some of the factors contributing to long life (81 years, on average). Living costs may be high, but unemployment is low, and the casual, friendly island vibe decreases toxic stress.

Related: 15 Tiny Beach Bungalows for Your Next Vacation

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Naperville, Illinois

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Naperville IL Life Expectancy

Unlike parts of urban Chicago, Naperville offers a safe, suburban environment that still has commuter access to the metropolis. Pay is high, schools are excellent, nature is accessible, and average lifespan is almost 82 years.

Related: The 18 Most Infamous Hotels in America

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Champaign-Urbana, Illinois

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Champaign Urbana IL Life Expectancy

Live to 80, surrounded by people and work you love, in this prairie town that hosts the flagship institution of the University of Illinois. Tech start-ups, Fortune 500 companies, and international artists call Champaign-Urbana home, while world-class hospitals provide cutting-edge care.

Related: 7 Employers Who Want to Help You Buy a House

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Alexandria, Virginia

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Alexandria VA Life Expectancy

Are you a dog lover? Consider relocating to Alexandria, on the banks of the Potomac River, with easy access to Washington, D.C. The city’s Old Town is fun and funky, blending the charm of historic buildings with quirky shops and stellar restaurants.

Related: Would You Recognize These 9 Iconic Streets Way Back When?

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Raleigh, North Carolina

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Raleigh NC Life Expectancy

Known colloquially as “the Triangle,” the Raleigh-Durham area offers a surge of youthful energy, with students and professionals drawn by research, technology, and education jobs. From concerts at the 19,700-seat PNC Arena to heron-sighting at William B. Umstead State Park, there’s plenty to do for all ages and abilities, and with an average lifespan of 80.3 years, plenty of time to do it.

Related: The Best U.S. Cities for a Summer Staycation

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Cary, North Carolina

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Cary NC Life Expectancy

Thanks to the boom in nearby Raleigh-Durham, Cary, North Carolina, is also on the upswing. Home of pro baseball and soccer teams, and summer residence of the North Carolina Symphony, Cary has a low crime rate and a burgeoning population drawn by high-paying jobs and a good quality of life, including an average life expectancy that stretches beyond 80 years. 

Related: 20 Weird and Wacky Destinations for a Family Road Trip

flickr.com via James Willamor

Santa Fe, New Mexico

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Santa Fe NM Life Expectancy

Known for its extensive artists' colony and art markets, Santa Fe is more than just a tourist destination. The city, where average life expectancy is 80.2 years, is a place of deep roots, richly connected to desert landscapes and indigenous, Hispanic, and European-American history, all under beautiful turquoise skies.

Related: 15 Classic Roadside Motels You Can Visit Along America's Highways

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Madison, Wisconsin

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Madison WI Life Expectancy

Ranked #16 on U.S. News & World Report’s Best Places to Live, Madison is a delicious smorgasbord of local food and music. Jobs in technology and health care are expanding, and the University of Wisconsin ensures an endless stream of interesting speakers and creative energy to keep its long-lived residents (an average lifespan of 80.9 years) engaged.

Related: 35 Strange But True Facts About America

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Appleton, Wisconsin

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Appleton WI Life Expectancy

If you want to live more than 80 years (80.9, to be exact!) but don’t enjoy urban surroundings, head to scenic Appleton. Couples and families have access to a range of enriching activities, from Fox Cities Performing Arts Center to the History Museum at the Castle, which houses a collection of Houdini memorabilia. 

Related: 18 Small Towns That Changed America

Commons Wikimedia via Shawn Conrad

St. George, Utah

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St. George UT Life Expectancy

As the nation’s fastest-growing metro area, St. George is attracting flocks of students, young professionals, and retirees who are probably hoping to reach the city's average lifespan of 81.4 years. An active lifestyle, good weather, and nearby attractions that include Zion National Park and the Red Hills Desert Garden are just the icing on an already tasty cake.

Related: Extreme Urban Makeovers: 15 Cities That Are Nothing Like They Used To Be

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Salt Lake City, Utah

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Salt Lake City UT Life Expectancy

Long considered a top-10 destination for retirees, Salt Lake City offers a beautiful and enriching environment, more-affordable housing options, an expanding public transit system, and an average life expectancy that hovers above 80 years. While temperatures can soar and dip, plenty of cultural and sports events keep winter blues at bay.

Related: 20 Must-Visit Mountain Towns Across America

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Ann Arbor, Michigan

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Ann Arbor MI Life Expectancy

Are you an entrepreneur? Consider taking your start-up to Ann Arbor, where you’ll find a supportive community of innovators and developers. As well, with an average life expectancy of around 81 years, residents of this Midwest city may have some lessons to teach about healthy habits. 

Related: 17 Log Cabins We Love

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Ithaca, New York

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Ithaca NY Life Expectancy

Yet another college town that makes the grade for long, fruitful living is Ithaca, located near the Finger Lakes and Buttermilk Falls State Park. Increase the likelihood that you’ll live the city's average of 81-plus years by taking advantage of Ithaca’s walking paths and stimulating your brain at lectures and gallery openings.

Related: Yes, These 20 Weird and Wacky Museums Actually Exist

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Burlington, Vermont

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Burlington VT Life Expectancy

Good food, natural beauty, and access to university life seem to promote longevity, and Burlington, where folks live an average of 80.9 years, is no exception. That said, a little indulgence never hurt: Burlington is also the home of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream.

Related: The 15 Best Factory Tours in America

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Scottsdale, Arizona

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Scottsdale AZ Life Expectancy

Do you want to live to be 80 years old but are worried about extreme cold or heat? Ranked the #1 place to retire in the United States, Scottsdale is famously temperate, so outdoor sports and waterfront walks are options most days of the year. The city also has a reputation for commerce, catalyzed by Scottsdale Airport and Arizona State University.

Related: 20 Places You Need to See If You Love Plants

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Gilbert, Arizona

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Gilbert AZ Life Expectancy

An all-around A+ city, Gilbert may be lesser known, but it is a hub of health care and community life. Consistently ranked first for families and homeownership, the city offers access to great preventive and medical services that could help you attain the region's average of 80-plus years.

Related: America’s 50 Favorite Streets

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Chandler, Arizona

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Chandler AZ Life Expectancy

One resident calls Chandler “the best place for outgoing introverts.” People respect your space but are friendly, helpful, and inclusive. The city, with an average lifespan of 80-plus years, also upholds Arizona’s reputation for being a longevity hot spot.

Related: These Are the Places with the Best Weather in America

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Boston, Massachusetts

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Boston MA Life Expectancy

As a top-25 best place to live, Boston has a lot to offer, particularly to its long-lived residents, who reach, on average, 80 years. In one of the most historic cities in the United States, you can walk, shop, visit the USS Constitution Museum, and play a game of catch on Boston Common.

Related: 15 Places Every American Should Visit at Least Once

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Sioux Falls, South Dakota

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Sioux Falls SD Life Expectancy

Residents of Sioux Falls benefit from the city's investments in arts, health care, and infrastructure. Home values are solid, it ranks #5 in the nation for best and more affordable places to retire, and its residents enjoy an average life expectancy of close to 80 years.

Related: 14 "Once in a Lifetime" Places to Camp for a Night

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