What Are the Healthiest States in America 2026? All 50 Ranked

The 10 healthiest states

Where you live affects how long you live. The gap in life expectancy between the healthiest and least healthy states is 7.2 years — not months, years. We scored all 50 states on life expectancy (CDC state life tables), adult obesity (CDC BRFSS), and the share of residents without health insurance (Census Bureau).

Massachusetts ranks #1 with a health score of 88.6/100 and a life expectancy of 79.8 years. Hawaii (88.6) and New York (79.7) follow. The national average life expectancy is 76.9 years.

Income is not part of the health score, but it tracks it. Among the top 10 healthiest states, the average median income is $94,235, 16% above the 50-state average of $80,903.

#1: Massachusetts

Massachusetts is the healthiest state in America with a health score of 88.6/100 and a life expectancy of 79.8 years (50-state average: 76.9). 27% of adults have obesity (average 34%) and 2.8% of residents are uninsured (average 7.6%). The median household income is $104,828.

Massachusetts ranks #13 overall (70.0/100). Safety also ranks well (76.4), and the two tend to reinforce each other — safe communities have less stress, better mental health, and more access to outdoor activity. The cost of living index is 105.8.

#2: Hawaii

Hawaii scores 88.6/100 for health with a life expectancy of 80 years. 27% of adults have obesity and 3.5% of residents are uninsured. Median income: $100,745. Unemployment: 2.4%.

Hawaii ranks #17 overall (64.8/100). Safety also ranks well (75.7), and the two tend to reinforce each other — safe communities have less stress, better mental health, and more access to outdoor activity. The cost of living index is 110.

#3: New York

New York scores 79.7/100 for health with a life expectancy of 79.5 years. 29.5% of adults have obesity and 5% of residents are uninsured. Median income: $85,820. Unemployment: 4.3%.

New York ranks #29 overall (54.9/100). Safety also ranks well (63.0), and the two tend to reinforce each other — safe communities have less stress, better mental health, and more access to outdoor activity. The cost of living index is 107.9.

#4: New Jersey

New Jersey scores 78.1/100 for health with a life expectancy of 79.6 years. 27.7% of adults have obesity and 7.7% of residents are uninsured. Median income: $104,294. Unemployment: 5.2%.

New Jersey ranks #28 overall (55.0/100). Safety also ranks well (81.8), and the two tend to reinforce each other — safe communities have less stress, better mental health, and more access to outdoor activity. The cost of living index is 108.8.

#5: California

At #5, California posts a health score of 77.6/100 with 79.3-year life expectancy. Adult obesity: 29.1%. Uninsured: 5.9%. Median income: $100,149.

California ranks #47 overall (40.2/100). Safety (54.7) leaves room for improvement, but the health infrastructure is strong enough to compensate. The cost of living index is 110.7.

#6: Rhode Island

At #6, Rhode Island posts a health score of 76.5/100 with 79.2-year life expectancy. Adult obesity: 31.1%. Uninsured: 4.6%. Median income: $83,504.

Rhode Island ranks #19 overall (62.0/100). Safety also ranks well (90.8), and the two tend to reinforce each other — safe communities have less stress, better mental health, and more access to outdoor activity. The cost of living index is 102.3.

#7: Colorado

At #7, Colorado posts a health score of 75.4/100 with 78.5-year life expectancy. Adult obesity: 25%. Uninsured: 7.9%. Median income: $97,113.

Colorado ranks #18 overall (64.7/100). Safety (50.4) leaves room for improvement, but the health infrastructure is strong enough to compensate. The cost of living index is 103.1.

#8: Vermont

At #8, Vermont posts a health score of 75.1/100 with 78.3-year life expectancy. Adult obesity: 29%. Uninsured: 4.2%. Median income: $82,730.

Vermont ranks #8 overall (74.0/100). Safety also ranks well (77.7), and the two tend to reinforce each other — safe communities have less stress, better mental health, and more access to outdoor activity. The cost of living index is 98.

#9: Minnesota

At #9, Minnesota posts a health score of 74.5/100 with 79.3-year life expectancy. Adult obesity: 32.3%. Uninsured: 5.1%. Median income: $87,117.

Minnesota ranks #12 overall (70.4/100). Safety also ranks well (77.1), and the two tend to reinforce each other — safe communities have less stress, better mental health, and more access to outdoor activity. The cost of living index is 98.6.

#10: Connecticut

At #10, Connecticut posts a health score of 74.3/100 with 79.4-year life expectancy. Adult obesity: 32%. Uninsured: 5.8%. Median income: $96,049.

Connecticut ranks #16 overall (66.9/100). Safety also ranks well (90.1), and the two tend to reinforce each other — safe communities have less stress, better mental health, and more access to outdoor activity. The cost of living index is 103.6.

What drives health outcomes

The top 10 average 29.0% adult obesity and 5.3% uninsured. The bottom five average 39.0% and 9.2%. The top 10 also graduate 85.6% of high school students on time, against 85.6% across all states.

Environmental factors matter too. Air quality, access to parks and recreation, and climate all influence health outcomes. Among the top 10, the average air quality index is 37 and public land covers an average of 16.1% of state area.

The least healthy states

Mississippi (18.1), West Virginia (21.3), Oklahoma (26.7), Arkansas (28.0), Tennessee (28.7) round out the bottom five for health. Mississippi has a life expectancy of 72.6 years — 7.4 years shorter than Hawaii's 80 years.

The median income among the bottom 5 is $64,035, and the average unemployment rate is 3.8%. Their adults are more likely to have obesity (39.0% on average) than the typical state's (34%).