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The 50 Cities in America Where People Live the Longest

Because your surroundings play a big part in your longevity.

city representing health and life expectancy

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

Pembroke Pines, happiest citiesShutterstock

Population: 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

St. Petersburg, Florida, drunkest citiesESB Professional / Shutterstock

Population: 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

Fort Collins, drunkest citiesShutterstock

Population: 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

fremont fittest cities

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

Des Moines, happiest cities

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

Miramar, palm trees, sunrise, longest-living cities, longest commutes, commute

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

chandler fittest citiesShutterstock

Population: 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

irvine fittest citiesShutterstock

Population: 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

Colorado Springs, happiest cities

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

Louisville, Kentucky Derby, drunkest citiesShutterstock

Population: 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

Norfolk, longest-living cities, wharf, boatsShutterstock

Population: 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

Sunnyvale, longest-living cities, Yahoo

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

Speaking of Yahoo!, don't miss this story about the time the company tried to buy Facebook.

38 | Cape Coral, FL

Cape Coral, happiest cities.Shutterstock

Population: 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

Worcester, happiest cities, fattest citiesShutterstock

Population: 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

minneapolis fittest citiesShutterstock

Population: 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

Bellevue, longest-living cities, best singles scenes

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

Huntsville, happiest cities, fattest citiesShutterstock

Population: 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

fattest cities

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

Nashville, happiest cities, fattest citiesShutterstock

Population: 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

Denton, old bridge, sunset, longest-living citiesShutterstock

Population: 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

Hampton, beach, sunset, pier, longest-living cities

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

boston fittest cities

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

gilbert arizona fittest citiesShutterstock

Population: 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

Grand Rapids, happiest cities, fattest cities

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

Providence, drunkest cities

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

Feeling more stressed than normal? Take charge of your biggest worries and sort out the 5 biggest male stressors.

24 | Madison, WI

madison fittest citiesShutterstock

Population: 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

Newport News, longest-living cities, arch

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

Clarksville, drunkest citiesShutterstock

Population: 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

Knoxville, fattest cities, drunkest cities, longest-living cities, best singles scenes, flip a house, sleepless cities

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

scottsdale arizonaShutterstock

Population: 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

fattest cities

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

Naperville, longest-living cities, statue, worst singles scenes, longest commutes, commute

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

Add years to your life by making note of and avoiding the The 40 Unhealthiest Foods if You're Over 40.

17 | McKinney, TX

McKinney, suburban homes, longest-living cities, worst singles scenesShutterstock

Population: 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

Greensboro, happiest cities, fattest cities

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

Sioux Falls, happiest citiesShutterstock

Population: 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

Fayetteville, drunkest cities

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

fattest citiesShutterstock

Population: 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

Lexington, drunkest cities

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

Charlotte, happiest cities

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

virginia beach fittest cities

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

Chesapeake, happiest citiesShutterstock

Population: 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

Plano, happiest cities

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

Olathe, longest-living cities, worst singles scenes

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

Durham, happiest cities

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

Frisco, circus, longest-living cities, worst singles scenesShutterstock

Population: 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

raleigh fittest cities

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

Alexandria, pier, longest-living cities, longest commutes, commute

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

overland park happiest citiesShutterstock

Population: 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

Cary, longest-living cities, fountain

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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