The 5 states with the longest life expectancies, and the 5 with the shortest

Life expectancy: 79.0 years

The “Garden State” has the fifth-longest life expectancy in the US, per the CDC data.

According to the Census’ 2023 ACS one-year estimates, 92.8% of residents have health insurance compared to 92.1% of Americans nationally. The CDC’s Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System 2022 also said that adults in New Jersey reported the second-lowest rates of depressive disorders.

The state was named the third-best state to live in by personal-finance company WalletHub, which compared the US states across affordability, economy, education and health, quality of life, and safety. It was also named the third happiest state in the country.

Life expectancy: 79.0 years

New York, which WalletHub ranked the ninth-best state to live in, also has a life expectancy of 79 years. Just 4.8% of residents are without healthcare coverage. Adults in the state also reported some of the lowest levels of depressive disorders, at 17.8%.

Life expectancy: 79.2 years

The “Constitution State,” which was ranked the seventh happiest in the country, has the third-longest life expectancy in the US at 79.2 years. According to the Census, 94.3% of residents have health insurance.

Life expectancy: 79.6 years

Massachusetts has the second-longest life expectancy in the country. Only 2.6% of the population lacks healthcare coverage, and in 2022, the American Lung Association reported that 10.4% of adults in the state smoke cigarettes compared to 11.6% of adults nationally.

WalletHub ranked Massachusetts the best state to live in, reporting that it has the best healthcare system in the country. The state has “the lowest share of adults in fair or poor health,” according to the report.

Life expectancy: 79.9 years

Hawaii has the longest life expectancy in the country. WalletHub named it the happiest state in the US thanks, in part, to its No. 1 ranking for its residents’ emotional and physical well-being.

In the state, 96.8% of residents have health insurance.

Life expectancy: 72.3 years

Kentucky has the fifth-shortest life expectancy in the US. More than a quarter of adults in the “Bluegrass State” reported being diagnosed with a depressive disorder and 17.4% of adults reported smoking cigarettes.

Life expectancy: 72.2 years

The “Pelican State” has the fourth-shortest life expectancy in the country, at 72.2 years. According to WalletHub, residents in the state report one of the lowest adequate sleep rates and some of the longest work hours. The American Lung Association also reported that 16.7% of adults in the state smoked cigarettes in 2022.

Life expectancy: 72.0 years

Alabama has the third-shortest life expectancy. According to the Census, 8.5% of people do not have health insurance. Meanwhile, 15.6% of adults reported smoking cigarettes in 2022. WalletHub also reported that Alabama has one of the lowest sports participation rates and one of the lowest adequate sleep rates.

Life expectancy: 71.0 years

West Virginia has the second-shortest life expectancy. Twenty-one percent of adults reported smoking cigarettes in 2022, the highest percentage in the country. The “Mountain State” also has one of the highest rates of adults with depressive disorders, at 26.9%.

Life expectancy: 70.9 years

Mississippi has the shortest life expectancy in the US, at 70.9 years.

WalletHub, which ranked Mississippi the sixth-worst state to live in, reported nearly one in five of the state’s residents lives in poverty. Mississippi also has high infant mortality rates, with Black infants disproportionately affected. Additionally, it has the lowest sports participation rate in the country and high rates of obesity. Employees also often work longer hours than the national average.

Among its residents, 10.3% are without health insurance, while 20.5% of adults reported being diagnosed with depressive disorders, and 17.4% reported smoking cigarettes.