The top 10 states with the longest life expectancy, and what that means for your life insurance coverage
People in the United States are generally living longer - and that means if you're shopping for a life insurance policy, it may be a good idea to plan for a longer coverage duration, Everly Life reports.
This is especially true if you live in one of the top 10 states ranked by longest life expectancy. While the average lifespan of an American currently sits at 79 years (men at 76.5 years; women at 81.4 years), the populations of these states tend to live longer than the national average for a variety of reasons, including better access to healthcare, stronger public policies, and greater emphasis on physical activity.
And with all that longevity may come the need for a life insurance policy that can keep up.
The Top 10 States with the Longest Life Expectancy
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the following states ranked the highest for longest life expectancy in the United States:
1.Hawai‘i: 80 years (77.1 years for men; 83 years for women)
2. Massachusetts: 79.8 years (77.4 years for men; 82.2 years for women)
3. New Jersey: 79.6 years (77.1 years for men; 82 years for women)
4. New York: 79.5 years (76.9 years for men; 82.1 years for women)
5. Connecticut: 79.4 years (76.8 years for men; 82.1 years for women)
6.California: 79.3 years (76.7 years for men; 82.1 years for women)
7. Minnesota: 79.3 years (77 years for men; 81.6 years for women)
8. Rhode Island: 79.2 years (76.6 years for men; 81.8 years for women)
9. Utah: 79 years (77.3 years for men; 80.9 years for women)
10. New Hampshire: 78.7 years (76.5 years for men; 81 years for women)
CDC state-based life expectancy data is from 2022, the year for which this specific data set is last available.
So why do these states have longer-than-average life expectancies? Research shows a combination of the following factors tends to have a positive influence on a state's lifespan.
Public policy: Policies that focus on better access to early childhood education, affordable housing, employment protection laws, and income support tend to have a notable impact on life expectancy.
Access to quality healthcare: Research shows that easier access to healthcare systems - such as hospitals and clinics - as well as quality healthcare coverage through insurance and Medicaid can positively contribute to a state's average longevity.
Encouragement of active lifestyles: Living in regions where there is more opportunity for physical activity - for example, urban neighborhoods, walkable communities, and recreational areas like state parks and beaches - can significantly influence lifespan.
It's not just these states experiencing an overall boom in life expectancy; a recent report from the National Center for Health Statistics shows that lifespans in the United States are increasing, hitting an all-time high of 79 years in 2024 since tracking began in 1900. This growth can be attributed to recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as a steep drop in drug overdoses across the nation.
What That Means for Your Life Insurance Coverage
Given that people are living longer than previous generations, how should we think differently about how we approach buying life insurance coverage?
Understand the key differences between policy options
Term life insurance usually offers more affordable pricing, but coverage ends after a certain period. Permanent life insurance can be pricier but may offer more security for individuals concerned about outlasting their coverage.
Plus, with life expectancy continuing to grow, it may be a good idea to find a policy with a longer coverage period. That way, your policy won't retire before you decide to.
Find a policy with flexible features
The needs driving your life insurance purchase now might look different in 10, 20, or even 30 years. Focus on finding a policy with features that can adapt as your life changes; for example, you can get a policy that builds cash value for retirement or one that allows you to lower your death benefit when you're older so you're not overpaying for coverage.
Living longer is something to celebrate, but with increasing lifespans comes the need to keep them protected with life insurance coverage that keeps up.
This story was produced by Everly Life and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
Copyright 2026 Stacker Media, LLC
This story was originally published April 30, 2026 at 9:00 AM.