If you want to live a long and happy life, you probably know that you need a healthy diet and regular exercise. (If you're really in the know, you know that you should adopt high-intensity exercise, specifically.) But you may be overlooking another important influence on your longevity: your surroundings.
According to the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, "where you live has a big impact on your health." Everything from air pollution to noise levels to public parks plays a role in your wellbeing. If your neighborhood is walkable, for instance, you'll be all but guaranteed to slash your risk of obesity and type-II diabetes.
It all got us thinking: what are the communities across America where people are living the longest? Well, we crunched the numbers—factoring in per capita life expectancy, percentages of heart disease and diabetes, and the percentage of the population that regularly gets checkups and seeks out preventative care—to create our proprietary "longevity score." And for more advice on where to settle down to live long and prosper, here are The 100 Happiest Cities in America.
50 | Pembroke Pines, FL
ShutterstockPopulation: 168,587
Coronary Heart Disease (%): 6.3
Diabetes (%): 10.7
Annual Checkup (%): 75.6
Preventive Services: 27.85
Life Expectancy: 80.2
Longevity Score: 83.33
Living longer can be as simple as taking good care of your body—an easy first step is incorporating these 7 Best Foods for Your Heart (and Your Lifespan) into your diet.
49 | St. Petersburg, FL
ESB Professional / ShutterstockPopulation: 260,999
Coronary Heart Disease (%): 7.3
Diabetes (%): 10.9
Annual Checkup (%): 72.8
Preventive Services: 33.2
Life Expectancy: 78.85
Longevity Score: 83.33
For more ideas on how to take care of your ticker, here are the 10 best ways to lower your blood pressure.
48 | Fort Collins, CO
ShutterstockPopulation: 164,207
Coronary Heart Disease (%): 3.6
Diabetes (%): 4.8
Annual Checkup (%): 59.9
Preventive Services: 33.7
Life Expectancy: 81.7
Longevity Score: 83.45
If the stress of work is getting to you, try this best way to chill out when you want to totally lose it.
47 | Fremont, CA
Population: 233,136
Coronary Heart Disease (%): 3.9
Diabetes (%): 8
Annual Checkup (%): 66.2
Preventive Services: 31.45
Life Expectancy: 81.35
Longevity Score: 83.55
On the go or pressed for time? Still not an excuse to skip a workout—here's The Best Quickie Workout You Can Do in Your Bathroom.
46 | Des Moines, IA
Population: 215,472
Coronary Heart Disease (%): 5.6
Diabetes (%): 9.3
Annual Checkup (%): 68.5
Preventive Services: 35
Life Expectancy: 78.9
Longevity Score: 83.75
Maximize your meals with The 13 Healthiest Food Combos for People Over 40.
45 | Miramar, FL
Population: 138,449
Coronary Heart Disease (%): 4.4
Diabetes (%): 10.1
Annual Checkup (%): 75.3
Preventive Services: 26.55
Life Expectancy: 80.2
Longevity Score: 83.78
While you're kicking back in the Florida sun, be sure you're wearing one of the 25 best swimsuits for men.
44 | Chandler, AZ
ShutterstockPopulation: 247,477
Coronary Heart Disease (%): 4.2
Diabetes (%): 7.1
Annual Checkup (%): 64.6
Preventive Services: 34.3
Life Expectancy: 80.05
Longevity Score: 83.83
For more ways to stay in shape and live forever, try The 10 Best Cardio Workouts for Men Over 40.
43 | Irvine, CA
ShutterstockPopulation: 266,122
Coronary Heart Disease (%): 3.4
Diabetes (%): 6.3
Annual Checkup (%): 65.4
Preventive Services: 30.4
Life Expectancy: 82.2
Longevity Score: 84.15
To protect yourself from the bright California rays, be sure you're wearing one of the 10 most stylish hats for men.
42 | Colorado Springs, CO
Population: 465,101
Coronary Heart Disease (%): 4.7
Diabetes (%): 7
Annual Checkup (%): 64.7
Preventive Services: 35.55
Life Expectancy: 79.8
Longevity Score: 84.18
Colorado's known for great skiing, sure, but here are the 5 best luxury ski trips in the world you wouldn't want to miss.
41 | Louisville, KY
ShutterstockPopulation: 616,261
Coronary Heart Disease (%): 7.9
Diabetes (%): 11.9
Annual Checkup (%): 73.7
Preventive Services: 37.55
Life Expectancy: 76.95
Longevity Score: 84.20
Remarkably, Louisville is also one of The 50 Fattest Cities in America.
40 | Norfolk, VA
ShutterstockPopulation: 245,115
Coronary Heart Disease (%): 5
Diabetes (%): 9.5
Annual Checkup (%): 74.7
Preventive Services: 32.75
Life Expectancy: 75.5
Longevity Score: 84.23
If you're hitting up the Norfolk yacht clubs, be sure you're dressed to impress by wearing the 10 waterfront essentials from Brooks Brothers.
39 | Sunnyvale, CA
Population: 152,771
Coronary Heart Disease (%): 3.9
Diabetes (%): 7.3
Annual Checkup (%): 65.3
Preventive Services: 31.3
Life Expectancy: 83.1
Longevity Score: 84.25
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38 | Cape Coral, FL
ShutterstockPopulation: 179,804
Coronary Heart Disease (%): 7.6
Diabetes (%): 10.3
Annual Checkup (%): 72.7
Preventive Services: 33.1
Life Expectancy: 81
Longevity Score: 84.45
37 | Worcester, MA
ShutterstockPopulation: 184,508
Coronary Heart Disease (%): 6
Diabetes (%): 10.1
Annual Checkup (%): 76.8
Preventive Services: 28.65
Life Expectancy: 79.65
Longevity Score: 84.50
To keep your heart going forever, be sure to try the single greatest HIIT routine for your heart.
36 | Minneapolis, MN
ShutterstockPopulation: 413,651
Coronary Heart Disease (%): 4.1
Diabetes (%): 6.9
Annual Checkup (%): 64.6
Preventive Services: 34.5
Life Expectancy: 80.9
Longevity Score: 84.50
For a lunch to impress clients or your boss, try Manny's, downtown—straight from The Best Power Lunch Restaurants in Every U.S. State.
35 | Bellevue, WA
Population: 141,400
Coronary Heart Disease (%): 4.4
Diabetes (%): 6.8
Annual Checkup (%): 62.2
Preventive Services: 36.75
Life Expectancy: 81.3
Longevity Score: 84.53
34 | Huntsville, AL
ShutterstockPopulation: 193,079
Coronary Heart Disease (%): 7
Diabetes (%): 11
Annual Checkup (%): 71.2
Preventive Services: 38.05
Life Expectancy: 78
Longevity Score: 84.63
While you're in Alabama, don't forget to pick up some barbecue—we suggest referring to our list of The Greatest BBQ Joints in Every U.S. State.
33 | Baton Rouge, LA
Population: 227,715
Coronary Heart Disease (%): 7
Diabetes (%): 11.4
Annual Checkup (%): 76
Preventive Services: 35.4
Life Expectancy: 76.25
Longevity Score: 84.63
If you're traveling a bunch, be sure to learn the single best way to get your hotel room comped.
32 | Nashville, TN
ShutterstockPopulation: 660,388
Coronary Heart Disease (%): 6.2
Diabetes (%): 10.4
Annual Checkup (%): 73.8
Preventive Services: 35.35
Life Expectancy: 76.8
Longevity Score: 84.68
Nashville is home to L.A. Jackson, one of The 20 Greatest Hotel Bars in America Right Now.
31 | Denton, TX
ShutterstockPopulation: 133,808
Coronary Heart Disease (%): 4.1
Diabetes (%): 7.3
Annual Checkup (%): 66.5
Preventive Services: 33.75
Life Expectancy: 80.7
Longevity Score: 84.78
To stay young forever, be sure to slate these 25 magical anti-aging foods into your diet.
30 | Hampton, VA
Population: 135,410
Coronary Heart Disease (%): 6.1
Diabetes (%): 11.8
Annual Checkup (%): 77
Preventive Services: 33.75
Life Expectancy: 76.8
Longevity Score: 84.83
29 | Boston, MA
Population: 673,184
Coronary Heart Disease (%): 4.7
Diabetes (%): 8.6
Annual Checkup (%): 73.3
Preventive Services: 30
Life Expectancy: 79.8
Longevity Score: 84.90
Good news: Boston is the #1 Fittest City in America.
28 | Gilbert, AZ
ShutterstockPopulation: 237,133
Coronary Heart Disease (%): 3.7
Diabetes (%): 6.1
Annual Checkup (%): 64.2
Preventive Services: 35.65
Life Expectancy: 80.05
Longevity Score: 85.05
27 | Grand Rapids, MI
Population: 196,445
Coronary Heart Disease (%): 6.2
Diabetes (%): 9.9
Annual Checkup (%): 70.3
Preventive Services: 36.3
Life Expectancy: 79.7
Longevity Score: 85.10
Make sure your heart is set to keep pumping for decades to come: Read up on the 10 Surefire Signs Your Heart is Super Strong.
26 | Tallahassee, FL
Population: 190,894
Coronary Heart Disease (%): 4.1
Diabetes (%): 7.1
Annual Checkup (%): 68.7
Preventive Services: 33.9
Life Expectancy: 79.25
Longevity Score: 85.33
25 | Providence, RI
Population: 179,219
Coronary Heart Disease (%): 5.1
Diabetes (%): 10.1
Annual Checkup (%): 78.1
Preventive Services: 29
Life Expectancy: 79.15
Longevity Score: 85.53
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24 | Madison, WI
ShutterstockPopulation: 252,551
Coronary Heart Disease (%): 3.8
Diabetes (%): 6.3
Annual Checkup (%): 65.7
Preventive Services: 34.4
Life Expectancy: 81.05
Longevity Score: 85.53
23 | Newport News, VA
Population: 181,825
Coronary Heart Disease (%): 5.5
Diabetes (%): 10.1
Annual Checkup (%): 75
Preventive Services: 33.65
Life Expectancy: 78.15
Longevity Score: 85.60
Also in Virginia is Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis's personal paradise, Merrywood, one of the 5 Historic American Estates You Can Buy Right Now.
22 | Clarksville, TN
ShutterstockPopulation: 150,287
Coronary Heart Disease (%): 5.2
Diabetes (%): 9.1
Annual Checkup (%): 73.4
Preventive Services: 36.15
Life Expectancy: 76.6
Longevity Score: 85.93
21 | Knoxville, TN
Population: 186,239
Coronary Heart Disease (%): 6.7
Diabetes (%): 10.3
Annual Checkup (%): 73.9
Preventive Services: 38.3
Life Expectancy: 76.8
Longevity Score: 86.00
20 | Scottsdale, AZ
ShutterstockPopulation: 246,645
Coronary Heart Disease (%): 6.2
Diabetes (%): 8.1
Annual Checkup (%): 69.3
Preventive Services: 36.95
Life Expectancy: 80.05
Longevity Score: 86.00
As well as having some of the longest-living citizens, Scottsdale was home to one of the 20 craziest Hollywood meltdowns of all time.
19 | Charleston, SC
Population: 134,385
Coronary Heart Disease (%): 5.1
Diabetes (%): 8.9
Annual Checkup (%): 67.8
Preventive Services: 39.9
Life Expectancy: 78.35
Longevity Score: 86.03
18 | Naperville, IL
Population: 147,122
Coronary Heart Disease (%): 4.3
Diabetes (%): 6.9
Annual Checkup (%): 67.4
Preventive Services: 35.1
Life Expectancy: 81.8
Longevity Score: 86.55
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17 | McKinney, TX
ShutterstockPopulation: 172,298
Coronary Heart Disease (%): 4
Diabetes (%): 7.5
Annual Checkup (%): 69.3
Preventive Services: 34.75
Life Expectancy: 81.95
Longevity Score: 87.25
16 | Greensboro, NC
Population: 287,027
Coronary Heart Disease (%): 5.9
Diabetes (%): 10.1
Annual Checkup (%): 74.8
Preventive Services: 37.4
Life Expectancy: 78.35
Longevity Score: 87.28
Try these 5 luxury exercise classes every fit person needs to try to infuse excitement into to your workouts.
15 | Sioux Falls, SD
ShutterstockPopulation: 174,360
Coronary Heart Disease (%): 5.7
Diabetes (%): 7.3
Annual Checkup (%): 69.4
Preventive Services: 38.7
Life Expectancy: 79.65
Longevity Score: 87.38
14 | Fayetteville, NC
Population: 204,759
Coronary Heart Disease (%): 5.7
Diabetes (%): 10.4
Annual Checkup (%): 76.9
Preventive Services: 38.1
Life Expectancy: 76.2
Longevity Score: 87.55
Exercise is one of the most effective stress-relievers, of course, but if you need something different, try one of The 10 Best Non-Exercise Stress Busters.
13 | Winston–Salem, NC
ShutterstockPopulation: 242,203
Coronary Heart Disease (%): 6.8
Diabetes (%): 11.6
Annual Checkup (%): 75.4
Preventive Services: 40.35
Life Expectancy: 77.95
Longevity Score: 87.65
12 | Lexington, KY
Population: 318,449
Coronary Heart Disease (%): 6.5
Diabetes (%): 10
Annual Checkup (%): 72
Preventive Services: 41.45
Life Expectancy: 78.35
Longevity Score: 87.65
And for more ways to slow down aging, Stay Younger Every Day with These 25 Longevity Secrets.
11 | Charlotte, NC
Population: 842,051
Coronary Heart Disease (%): 5.1
Diabetes (%): 9.2
Annual Checkup (%): 73.1
Preventive Services: 37.65
Life Expectancy: 79.45
Longevity Score: 87.95
10 | Virginia Beach, VA
Population: 452,602
Coronary Heart Disease (%): 4.9
Diabetes (%): 8.2
Annual Checkup (%): 73.1
Preventive Services: 36.25
Life Expectancy: 79.8
Longevity Score: 88.03
Virginia Beach is also one of the 100 best places to raise a family, making it doubly appealing.
9 | Chesapeake, VA
ShutterstockPopulation: 237,940
Coronary Heart Disease (%): 5.4
Diabetes (%): 9.6
Annual Checkup (%): 76.8
Preventive Services: 36.6
Life Expectancy: 78.4
Longevity Score: 88.40
8 | Plano, TX
Population: 286,057
Coronary Heart Disease (%): 4.2
Diabetes (%): 8
Annual Checkup (%): 70.9
Preventive Services: 36.2
Life Expectancy: 81.95
Longevity Score: 88.43
Mark Zuckerberg recently visited Texas on his "listening tour;" this is one of the 11 Signs Mark Zuckerberg is Definitely Running for President.
7 | Olathe, KS
Population: 135,473
Coronary Heart Disease (%): 4
Diabetes (%): 7.1
Annual Checkup (%): 67.7
Preventive Services: 38.9
Life Expectancy: 81.6
Longevity Score: 88.55
6 | Durham, NC
Population: 263,016
Coronary Heart Disease (%): 5.1
Diabetes (%): 9.2
Annual Checkup (%): 74.8
Preventive Services: 38.25
Life Expectancy: 78.95
Longevity Score: 88.85
5 | Frisco, TX
ShutterstockPopulation: 163,656
Coronary Heart Disease (%): 3.2
Diabetes (%): 6.3
Annual Checkup (%): 69.6
Preventive Services: 37.05
Life Expectancy: 80.7
Longevity Score: 88.93
4 | Raleigh, NC
Population: 458,880
Coronary Heart Disease (%): 4.5
Diabetes (%): 7.7
Annual Checkup (%): 70.6
Preventive Services: 39.4
Life Expectancy: 80.75
Longevity Score: 89.28
If you get hungry while you're globetrotting, you can always visit one of these ultimate vacation getaways for foodies.
3 | Alexandria, VA
Population: 155,810
Coronary Heart Disease (%): 3.9
Diabetes (%): 7.2
Annual Checkup (%): 71
Preventive Services: 37.3
Life Expectancy: 81.6
Longevity Score: 89.40
2 | Overland Park, KS
ShutterstockPopulation: 188,966
Coronary Heart Disease (%): 4.7
Diabetes (%): 7.6
Annual Checkup (%): 70.5
Preventive Services: 40.9
Life Expectancy: 81.6
Longevity Score: 90.35
Prolong your life by thinking about what you put into your body—here's why controlling your calories may be your fountain of youth.
1 | Cary, NC
Population: 162,320
Coronary Heart Disease (%): 4.5
Diabetes (%): 6.7
Annual Checkup (%): 71.8
Preventive Services: 43
Life Expectancy: 80.75
Longevity Score: 92.18
And now, learn the 100 ways to live to 100.
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