Though the U.S. is failing to keep up with many other first-world countries when it comes to life expectancy averages, life expectancy in the U.S. is forecasted to increase, according to the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) at the University of Washington. In 2022, life expectancy was 78.3 years and is projected to reach 79.9 years in 2035.
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There’s a lot we can do on an individual basis to live longer, but, at the same time, there’s a plethora of external factors that contribute to just how far into our golden years we’ll go. Some cities see people living longer than in others, and this has to do with a constellation of factors including access to healthcare and healthy foods.
A recent analysis by SmartAsset ranked 90 of the largest U.S. cities across 11 happiness metrics, including life expectancy. GOBankingRates then sourced cost of living data from RentCafe, Payscale and AreaVibes, average home values (as of May 12, 2025) from Zillow and livability from AreaVibes to provide further information. According to SmartAsset’s findings, these are the 10 U.S. cities where people live the longest.
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10. Santa Ana, California
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Life expectancy: 81.3
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Cost of living, as compared to the national average: 53% higher
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Average home value: $870,312
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Livability: 51/100
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9. Anaheim, California
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Life expectancy: 81.3
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Cost of living, as compared to the national average: 4% higher
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Average home value: $951,825
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Livability: 69/100
8. Irvine, California
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Life expectancy: 81.3
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Cost of living, as compared to the national average: 98% higher
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Average home value: $1,615,157
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Livability: 76/100
7. Plano, Texas
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Life expectancy: 81.3
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Cost of living, as compared to the national average: 16% higher
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Average home value: $532,725
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Livability: 83/100
6. Honolulu
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Life expectancy: 81.7
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Cost of living, as compared to the national average: 85% higher
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Average home value: $773,258
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Livability: 78/100
5. Oakland, California
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Life expectancy: 82.0
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Cost of living, as compared to the national average: 40% higher
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Average home value: $766,802
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Livability: 71/100
4. Fremont, California
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Life expectancy: 82.0
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Cost of living, as compared to the national average: 71% higher
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Average home value: $1,635,287
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Livability: 83/100
3. San Francisco
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Life expectancy: 82.4
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Cost of living, as compared to the national average: 70% higher
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Average home value: $1,310,207
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Livability: 75/100
2. San Jose, California
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Life expectancy: 83.8
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Cost of living, as compared to the national average: 78% higher
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Average home value: $1,530,735
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Livability: 79/100
1. Arlington, Virginia
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Life expectancy: 83.9
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Cost of living, as compared to the national average: 33% higher
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Average home value: $847,094
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Livability: 86/100
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Sources
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SmartAsset, “Where Americans Are Happiest – 2025 Study“
This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: The 10 US Cities Where Retirees Live the Longest
