Living longer isn’t just a matter of chance or lucky genes. It hinges on where you live, the air you breathe, the food you eat, and the healthcare you access. In the U.S., life expectancy varies widely across metro areas. This year’s top list, ranked from lowest to highest, offers insight into how location can impact longevity.
Phoenix–Mesa–Chandler, AZ – 80.7 years
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This metro benefits from sunny weather. A growing number of health clinics and hospitals further adds to its credibility. This Arizona tri-city is turning its desert heat into an advantage by combining outdoor-friendly weather with a rising focus on clean air and community walkability.
Portland–Vancouver–Hillsboro, OR–WA – 80.7 years
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What boosts longevity in Portland is how the city makes healthy living feel ingrained. The green spaces are submerged into the urban layout, and there’s a strong public health presence, so residents can rack up steps and mental clarity without even realizing it. Throw in a low smoking rate, and you’ve got yourself a slow-aging potion disguised as a metro area.
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJ–PA – 80.7 years
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Here, the subway doubles as a cardio machine, and every errand is a brisk walk away. Sure, the city never sleeps, but maybe that’s because it’s too busy staying active. Plus, it is also packed with world-class hospitals and social diversity that keeps people mentally and emotionally connected.
Sacramento–Roseville–Folsom, CA – 81.2 years
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Northern California’s capital region gains from climate-smart regulations, clean-air policies, and abundant outdoor recreational options. The higher average incomes and widespread healthcare availability help the residents benefit from proactive wellness-focused living.
North Port–Sarasota–Bradenton, FL – 81.4 years
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Imagine retiring to a place where the beach is never far, the hospitals are close, and the sidewalks are friendly to walkers and wheelchairs alike. This Gulf Coast trio is popular with retirees because the view is designed with aging gracefully in mind, from recreational centers to senior health networks.
Miami–Fort Lauderdale–Pompano Beach, FL – 81.6 years
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This metro is characterized by high daylight exposure, walkable downtowns, and concentrated healthcare hubs. Its cultural emphasis on fresh food and social interaction fortifies habits linked to improved lifespan. And let’s not forget the amazing healthcare access, which makes aging feel a little more like living.
Denver–Aurora–Lakewood, CO – 81.8 years
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If you’ve ever wondered what high-altitude living and hiking on weekdays does for your health, Denver has the answer. The region’s love affair with the outdoors is matched by low smoking rates and a strong healthcare backbone. Call it the mountain effect, or maybe just a place that encourages you to breathe deep and move often.
San Diego–Chula Vista–Carlsbad, CA – 81.8 years
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San Diego is a well-oiled machine for healthy living. Mild weather means the outdoors is always open, and locals take full advantage, whether they’re surfing or strolling through farmers’ markets. Preventive care and an educated population round out the region’s longevity perks.
Bridgeport–Stamford–Norwalk, CT – 82.1 years
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Wealth doesn’t guarantee health, but it certainly helps. This slice of Connecticut is located near elite hospitals and academic medical centers, which gives residents access to top-tier care. It’s also a place where health-conscious lifestyles and public health investments go hand in hand, all tucked into leafy suburbs.
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CA – 82.1 years
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The culture in L.A. leans toward health, from yoga on the beach to plant-based everything. Even with its urban sprawl, the city offers walkable pockets, diverse food options, and healthcare you can actually reach when you need it. The climate-aligned fitness habits reinforce longer lifespans
Oxnard–Thousand Oaks–Ventura, CA – 82.3 years
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This Southern California enclave, located between mountains and coastline, delivers big on health. Clean air, access to nature, and a steady use of preventive medicine help residents stay ahead of aging. It’s the kind of place where people garden for fun and schedule their annual checkups like clockwork.
Cape Coral–Fort Myers, FL – 82.4 years
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This sunny city offers affordable living, abundant healthcare access, and well-designed spaces for aging communities. Staying healthy here is like swimming with the current instead of against it.
Urban Honolulu, HI – 82.4 years
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What do you get when you mix island air, year-round outdoor living, and universal health coverage? Honolulu is where people live longer without trying to. Thanks to Hawaii’s unique healthcare model and an ingrained culture of active living, residents here age slowly, steadily, and are surrounded by beauty.
San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara, CA – 83.3 years
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The heart of Silicon Valley may be fast-paced in innovation, but when it comes to health, it’s methodical and meticulous. High education levels, low obesity, and a data-driven approach to wellness mean locals focus on fitness, and they act on what the data says.
San Francisco–Oakland–Berkeley, CA – 83.8 years
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The Bay Area is topping the charts in terms of lifespan. This trifecta of cities offers some of the most amazing neighborhoods, an ingrained culture of sustainability, and some of the lowest smoking rates in the country. Then you add in progressive public health investments, and you’ve got a region that’s thriving for the long haul.
