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Cities Where People Live The Longest

Cities Where People Live The Longest

After declining for several years, life expectancy in the U.S. is beginning to level off. An American born in 2020 has an average life expectancy of 79.1 years — but this can vary widely from place to place across the country.

Most rural areas actually have a lower 2020 life expectancy than a decade earlier. Yet in cities, where people have better access to health care and high-paying jobs, life expectancy is relatively high. In fact, in many cities, people can expect to live well into their 80s.

To determine the cities where people live the longest, 24/7 Tempo reviewed data on life expectancy in U.S. metropolitan areas from County Health Rankings & Roadmaps, a collaboration between the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute.

Of the 40 American major metro areas where people live the longest, the majority, 23, are in the western part of the country — including a dozen metro areas in California. The only other state with more than two metro areas on this list is Florida, with four.

In the vast majority of the metro areas on this list, residents tend to be wealthy. Of the 40 metro areas, 28 have median annual household incomes higher than the U.S. median income of $65,712. These relatively high incomes allow residents to afford high quality health care, while lower incomes can hinder access to quality health care and nutritious diets. These are the cities with the lowest poverty rates.

Source: iwona_kellie / Flickr

40. Bellingham, Washington
> Life expectancy: 81.32 years — 2.23 more than US average
> Obesity rate: 27.9% — 296th out of 382
> Smoking rate: 13.7% — 317th out of 382
> Adults who don’t exercise regularly: 14.4% — 375th out of 382
> Adults without health insurance: 6.8% — 242nd out of 382
> Median household income: $69,372 (US average: $65,712)
> Population: 229,247

Source: Davel5957 / Getty Images

39. Ann Arbor, Michigan
> Life expectancy: 81.41 years — 2.32 more than US average
> Obesity rate: 24.5% — 350th out of 382
> Smoking rate: 12.1% — 357th out of 382
> Adults who don’t exercise regularly: 15.3% — 369th out of 382
> Adults without health insurance: 3.7% — 362nd out of 382
> Median household income: $76,576 (US average: $65,712)
> Population: 367,601

Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images

38. Madison, Wisconsin
> Life expectancy: 81.41 years — 2.32 more than US average
> Obesity rate: 26.9% — 318th out of 382
> Smoking rate: 12.9% — 337th out of 382
> Adults who don’t exercise regularly: 15.3% — 370th out of 382
> Adults without health insurance: 3.7% — 362nd out of 382
> Median household income: $75,545 (US average: $65,712)
> Population: 664,865

Source: RoschetzkyIstockPhoto / Getty Images

37. Austin-Round Rock, Texas
> Life expectancy: 81.44 years — 2.35 more than US average
> Obesity rate: 26.6% — 322nd out of 382
> Smoking rate: 12.9% — 338th out of 382
> Adults who don’t exercise regularly: 18.2% — 336th out of 382
> Adults without health insurance: 13.6% — 40th out of 382
> Median household income: $80,954 (US average: $65,712)
> Population: 2,227,083

Source: Ken Lund from Reno, Nevada, USA / Wikimedia Commons

36. Bend-Redmond, Oregon
> Life expectancy: 81.45 years — 2.36 more than US average
> Obesity rate: 22.9% — 364th out of 382
> Smoking rate: 13.6% — 320th out of 382
> Adults who don’t exercise regularly: 14.4% — 375th out of 382
> Adults without health insurance: 7.0% — 236th out of 382
> Median household income: $71,643 (US average: $65,712)
> Population: 197,692

Source: Milkos / Getty Images

35. San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles-Arroyo Grande, California
> Life expectancy: 81.50 years — 2.41 more than US average
> Obesity rate: 25.5% — 340th out of 382
> Smoking rate: 10.8% — 369th out of 382
> Adults who don’t exercise regularly: 15.0% — 372nd out of 382
> Adults without health insurance: 5.8% — 284th out of 382
> Median household income: $77,265 (US average: $65,712)
> Population: 283,111

Source: marekuliasz / Getty Images

34. Fort Collins, Colorado
> Life expectancy: 81.56 years — 2.47 more than US average
> Obesity rate: 20.2% — 378th out of 382
> Smoking rate: 12.7% — 347th out of 382
> Adults who don’t exercise regularly: 13.1% — 379th out of 382
> Adults without health insurance: 5.8% — 284th out of 382
> Median household income: $75,186 (US average: $65,712)
> Population: 356,899

Source: Serenethos / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

33. North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton, Florida
> Life expectancy: 81.58 years — 2.49 more than US average
> Obesity rate: 24.0% — 353rd out of 382
> Smoking rate: 15.1% — 261st out of 382
> Adults who don’t exercise regularly: 23.1% — 240th out of 382
> Adults without health insurance: 11.5% — 84th out of 382
> Median household income: $65,526 (US average: $65,712)
> Population: 836,995

Source: Jeff Wood / Wikimedia Commons

32. St. Cloud, Minnesota
> Life expectancy: 81.61 years — 2.52 more than US average
> Obesity rate: 29.2% — 266th out of 382
> Smoking rate: 15.1% — 262nd out of 382
> Adults who don’t exercise regularly: 21.9% — 267th out of 382
> Adults without health insurance: 5.4% — 309th out of 382
> Median household income: $66,076 (US average: $65,712)
> Population: 201,964

Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images

31. Santa Fe, New Mexico
> Life expectancy: 81.62 years — 2.53 more than US average
> Obesity rate: 14.4% — 382nd out of 382
> Smoking rate: 13.7% — 318th out of 382
> Adults who don’t exercise regularly: 12.1% — 380th out of 382
> Adults without health insurance: 12.0% — 74th out of 382
> Median household income: $61,298 (US average: $65,712)
> Population: 150,358

Source: Cbl62 / Wikimedia Commons

30. El Centro, California
> Life expectancy: 81.66 years — 2.57 more than US average
> Obesity rate: 34.6% — 92nd out of 382
> Smoking rate: 12.8% — 341st out of 382
> Adults who don’t exercise regularly: 31.4% — 31st out of 382
> Adults without health insurance: 8.3% — 177th out of 382
> Median household income: $48,472 (US average: $65,712)
> Population: 181,215

Source: Erhoman / Getty Images

29. Wenatchee, Washington
> Life expectancy: 81.72 years — 2.63 more than US average
> Obesity rate: 28.9% — 275th out of 382
> Smoking rate: 13.2% — 330th out of 382
> Adults who don’t exercise regularly: 18.3% — 331st out of 382
> Adults without health insurance: 11.0% — 100th out of 382
> Median household income: $60,532 (US average: $65,712)
> Population: 120,629

Source: Eddie Maloney from North Las Vegas, USA / Wikimedia Commons

28. St. George, Utah
> Life expectancy: 81.77 years — 2.68 more than US average
> Obesity rate: 23.6% — 359th out of 382
> Smoking rate: 8.9% — 380th out of 382
> Adults who don’t exercise regularly: 19.0% — 318th out of 382
> Adults without health insurance: 14.4% — 29th out of 382
> Median household income: $63,595 (US average: $65,712)
> Population: 177,556

Source: Spondylolithesis / Getty Images

27. Napa, California
> Life expectancy: 81.77 years — 2.68 more than US average
> Obesity rate: 23.8% — 356th out of 382
> Smoking rate: 9.9% — 375th out of 382
> Adults who don’t exercise regularly: 18.5% — 327th out of 382
> Adults without health insurance: 6.6% — 250th out of 382
> Median household income: $92,769 (US average: $65,712)
> Population: 137,744

Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images

26. Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, Florida
> Life expectancy: 81.91 years — 2.82 more than US average
> Obesity rate: 22.8% — 365th out of 382
> Smoking rate: 15.8% — 232nd out of 382
> Adults who don’t exercise regularly: 24.4% — 193rd out of 382
> Adults without health insurance: 15.4% — 21st out of 382
> Median household income: $60,141 (US average: $65,712)
> Population: 6,166,488

Source: Wolterk / Getty Images

25. Ames, Iowa
> Life expectancy: 81.98 years — 2.89 more than US average
> Obesity rate: 26.2% — 329th out of 382
> Smoking rate: 14.9% — 269th out of 382
> Adults who don’t exercise regularly: 17.2% — 348th out of 382
> Adults without health insurance: 6.2% — 267th out of 382
> Median household income: $62,181 (US average: $65,712)
> Population: 123,351

Source: Sanfranman59 / Wikimedia Commons

24. Santa Rosa, California
> Life expectancy: 81.99 years — 2.90 more than US average
> Obesity rate: 22.4% — 367th out of 382
> Smoking rate: 10.1% — 374th out of 382
> Adults who don’t exercise regularly: 15.5% — 368th out of 382
> Adults without health insurance: 5.8% — 284th out of 382
> Median household income: $87,828 (US average: $65,712)
> Population: 494,336

Source: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images

23. Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Beaufort, South Carolina
> Life expectancy: 82.04 years — 2.95 more than US average
> Obesity rate: 26.2% — 330th out of 382
> Smoking rate: 13.8% — 312nd out of 382
> Adults who don’t exercise regularly: 18.6% — 325th out of 382
> Adults without health insurance: 10.2% — 125th out of 382
> Median household income: $71,252 (US average: $65,712)
> Population: 222,195

Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images

22. McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, Texas
> Life expectancy: 82.10 years — 3.01 more than US average
> Obesity rate: 34.4% — 101st out of 382
> Smoking rate: 14.6% — 283rd out of 382
> Adults who don’t exercise regularly: 21.6% — 277th out of 382
> Adults without health insurance: 32.2% — 1st out of 382
> Median household income: $41,800 (US average: $65,712)
> Population: 868,707

Source: Ron_Thomas / Getty Images

21. Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, California
> Life expectancy: 82.10 years — 3.01 more than US average
> Obesity rate: 24.6% — 347th out of 382
> Smoking rate: 11.4% — 363rd out of 382
> Adults who don’t exercise regularly: 16.4% — 357th out of 382
> Adults without health insurance: 10.8% — 109th out of 382
> Median household income: $75,653 (US average: $65,712)
> Population: 446,499

Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images

20. Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, District of Columbia
> Life expectancy: 82.16 years — 3.07 more than US average
> Obesity rate: 28.0% — 293rd out of 382
> Smoking rate: 11.9% — 358th out of 382
> Adults who don’t exercise regularly: 18.8% — 320th out of 382
> Adults without health insurance: 7.5% — 209th out of 382
> Median household income: $105,659 (US average: $65,712)
> Population: 6,280,697

Source: Eloi_Omella / E+ via Getty Images

19. New York-Newark-Jersey City, New Jersey
> Life expectancy: 82.17 years — 3.08 more than US average
> Obesity rate: 24.3% — 352nd out of 382
> Smoking rate: 13.1% — 333rd out of 382
> Adults who don’t exercise regularly: 25.1% — 168th out of 382
> Adults without health insurance: 6.9% — 238th out of 382
> Median household income: $83,160 (US average: $65,712)
> Population: 19,216,182

Source: harmantasdc / Getty Images

18. Iowa City, Iowa
> Life expectancy: 82.19 years — 3.10 more than US average
> Obesity rate: 27.7% — 302nd out of 382
> Smoking rate: 14.6% — 281st out of 382
> Adults who don’t exercise regularly: 17.4% — 346th out of 382
> Adults without health insurance: 7.7% — 204th out of 382
> Median household income: $63,761 (US average: $65,712)
> Population: 173,105

Source: Art Wager / Getty Images

17. San Diego-Carlsbad, California
> Life expectancy: 82.21 years — 3.12 more than US average
> Obesity rate: 20.3% — 377th out of 382
> Smoking rate: 10.8% — 370th out of 382
> Adults who don’t exercise regularly: 14.4% — 375th out of 382
> Adults without health insurance: 8.0% — 191st out of 382
> Median household income: $83,985 (US average: $65,712)
> Population: 3,338,330

Source: Andy445 / Getty Images

16. Rochester, Minnesota
> Life expectancy: 82.22 years — 3.13 more than US average
> Obesity rate: 29.6% — 252nd out of 382
> Smoking rate: 12.8% — 343rd out of 382
> Adults who don’t exercise regularly: 21.5% — 278th out of 382
> Adults without health insurance: 5.5% — 307th out of 382
> Median household income: $75,926 (US average: $65,712)
> Population: 221,921

Source: derejeb / Getty Images

15. Cape Coral-Fort Myers, Florida
> Life expectancy: 82.26 years — 3.17 more than US average
> Obesity rate: 25.9% — 334th out of 382
> Smoking rate: 14.3% — 294th out of 382
> Adults who don’t exercise regularly: 24.8% — 175th out of 382
> Adults without health insurance: 12.2% — 68th out of 382
> Median household income: $62,240 (US average: $65,712)
> Population: 770,577

Source: Arthurpreston / Getty Images

14. Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, California
> Life expectancy: 82.47 years — 3.38 more than US average
> Obesity rate: 20.7% — 375th out of 382
> Smoking rate: 10.6% — 371st out of 382
> Adults who don’t exercise regularly: 17.2% — 348th out of 382
> Adults without health insurance: 9.4% — 146th out of 382
> Median household income: $92,236 (US average: $65,712)
> Population: 846,006

Source: Art Wager / Getty Images

13. Urban Honolulu, Hawaii
> Life expectancy: 82.48 years — 3.39 more than US average
> Obesity rate: 23.4% — 361st out of 382
> Smoking rate: 11.0% — 368th out of 382
> Adults who don’t exercise regularly: 20.6% — 300th out of 382
> Adults without health insurance: 3.6% — 368th out of 382
> Median household income: $87,470 (US average: $65,712)
> Population: 974,563

Source: choness / Getty Images

12. Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, California
> Life expectancy: 82.49 years — 3.40 more than US average
> Obesity rate: 21.2% — 374th out of 382
> Smoking rate: 10.5% — 372nd out of 382
> Adults who don’t exercise regularly: 16.1% — 361st out of 382
> Adults without health insurance: 9.3% — 150th out of 382
> Median household income: $77,774 (US average: $65,712)
> Population: 13,214,799

Source: Solidago / Getty Images

11. Salinas, California
> Life expectancy: 82.50 years — 3.41 more than US average
> Obesity rate: 27.7% — 301st out of 382
> Smoking rate: 12.2% — 354th out of 382
> Adults who don’t exercise regularly: 19.8% — 310th out of 382
> Adults without health insurance: 9.7% — 136th out of 382
> Median household income: $77,514 (US average: $65,712)
> Population: 434,061

Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images

10. Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, Connecticut
> Life expectancy: 82.71 years — 3.62 more than US average
> Obesity rate: 21.3% — 372nd out of 382
> Smoking rate: 10.2% — 373rd out of 382
> Adults who don’t exercise regularly: 17.7% — 342nd out of 382
> Adults without health insurance: 9.1% — 159th out of 382
> Median household income: $97,053 (US average: $65,712)
> Population: 943,332

Source: Earthly-Halo / iStock via Getty Images

9. Corvallis, Oregon
> Life expectancy: 82.80 years — 3.71 more than US average
> Obesity rate: 24.9% — 346th out of 382
> Smoking rate: 13.3% — 329th out of 382
> Adults who don’t exercise regularly: 13.2% — 378th out of 382
> Adults without health insurance: 4.7% — 336th out of 382
> Median household income: $70,835 (US average: $65,712)
> Population: 93,053

Source: Ed-Ni-Photo / Getty Images

8. Santa Cruz-Watsonville, California
> Life expectancy: 82.83 years — 3.74 more than US average
> Obesity rate: 19.0% — 380th out of 382
> Smoking rate: 11.4% — 362nd out of 382
> Adults who don’t exercise regularly: 11.4% — 381st out of 382
> Adults without health insurance: 5.3% — 312nd out of 382
> Median household income: $89,269 (US average: $65,712)
> Population: 273,213

Source: aimintang / Getty Images

7. State College, Pennsylvania
> Life expectancy: 82.92 years — 3.83 more than US average
> Obesity rate: 25.2% — 342nd out of 382
> Smoking rate: 17.0% — 160th out of 382
> Adults who don’t exercise regularly: 18.1% — 337th out of 382
> Adults without health insurance: 8.2% — 179th out of 382
> Median household income: $60,706 (US average: $65,712)
> Population: 162,385

Source: ianmcdonnell / Getty Images

6. Yuma, Arizona
> Life expectancy: 82.93 years — 3.84 more than US average
> Obesity rate: 36.9% — 39th out of 382
> Smoking rate: 13.3% — 327th out of 382
> Adults who don’t exercise regularly: 26.3% — 135th out of 382
> Adults without health insurance: 14.0% — 34th out of 382
> Median household income: $46,419 (US average: $65,712)
> Population: 213,787

Source: pawel.gaul / iStock via Getty Images

5. Boulder, Colorado
> Life expectancy: 82.97 years — 3.88 more than US average
> Obesity rate: 15.2% — 381st out of 382
> Smoking rate: 11.3% — 364th out of 382
> Adults who don’t exercise regularly: 9.5% — 382nd out of 382
> Adults without health insurance: 5.4% — 309th out of 382
> Median household income: $88,535 (US average: $65,712)
> Population: 326,196

Source: unclegene / Getty Images

4. Kahului-Wailuku-Lahaina, Hawaii
> Life expectancy: 83.29 years — 4.20 more than US average
> Obesity rate: 24.0% — 354th out of 382
> Smoking rate: 12.3% — 353rd out of 382
> Adults who don’t exercise regularly: 20.0% — 304th out of 382
> Adults without health insurance: 6.3% — 263rd out of 382
> Median household income: $80,754 (US average: $65,712)
> Population: 167,488

Source: stellalevi / Getty Images

3. San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, California
> Life expectancy: 83.37 years — 4.28 more than US average
> Obesity rate: 20.7% — 376th out of 382
> Smoking rate: 9.7% — 377th out of 382
> Adults who don’t exercise regularly: 14.8% — 374th out of 382
> Adults without health insurance: 4.3% — 347th out of 382
> Median household income: $114,696 (US average: $65,712)
> Population: 4,731,803

Source: NicolasMcComber / Getty Images

2. San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, California
> Life expectancy: 84.55 years — 5.46 more than US average
> Obesity rate: 20.0% — 379th out of 382
> Smoking rate: 8.3% — 381st out of 382
> Adults who don’t exercise regularly: 16.2% — 359th out of 382
> Adults without health insurance: 4.8% — 329th out of 382
> Median household income: $130,865 (US average: $65,712)
> Population: 1,990,660

Source: LUNAMARINA / Getty Images

1. Naples-Immokalee-Marco Island, Florida
> Life expectancy: 86.06 years — 6.97 more than US average
> Obesity rate: 21.3% — 372nd out of 382
> Smoking rate: 14.4% — 291st out of 382
> Adults who don’t exercise regularly: 23.2% — 238th out of 382
> Adults without health insurance: 13.1% — 49th out of 382
> Median household income: $76,025 (US average: $65,712)
> Population: 384,902

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