Life Expectancy
Arkansas residents live 0.2 years longer on average
Arkansas has a life expectancy of 73.4 yrs vs 73.2 yrs in Alabama, a meaningful gap for relocation planning.
Life Expectancy Comparison
Health
Alabama vs Arkansas: Life Expectancy
Arkansas has a higher life expectancy than Alabama.
National Rankings
Where They Rank Nationally
See where both states fall among all 50 states for life expectancy.
Alabama
#47 · 73.2 yrs
Arkansas
#46 · 73.4 yrs
Lowest
Highest
Top 10 States — Life Expectancy
#1
Hawaii
81.6 yrs
Hawaii
#2
Connecticut
80.7 yrs
Connecticut
#3
Utah
80.4 yrs
Utah
#4
Minnesota
80.1 yrs
Minnesota
#5
Massachusetts
80.0 yrs
Massachusetts
#6
Vermont
80.0 yrs
Vermont
#7
Washington
79.8 yrs
Washington
#8
Colorado
79.7 yrs
Colorado
#9
New Hampshire
79.5 yrs
New Hampshire
#10
New York
79.4 yrs
New York
Selected states
#47
Alabama
73.2 yrs
Alabama
#46
Arkansas
73.4 yrs
Arkansas
Alabama ranks 47th and Arkansas ranks 46th nationally for life expectancy.
Health Context
Key factors that shape the life-expectancy gap between these two states.
Health
Poverty
Alabama has a lower poverty rate
Poverty and health outcomes are closely linked. Alabama's lower poverty rate (15.6%) versus Arkansas (15.7%) is part of the longevity story.
View detailed comparisonIncome
Alabama has higher household income
Higher median income correlates with better healthcare access. Alabama leads at $54,943 vs $52,123 in Arkansas.
View detailed comparisonAffordability
Arkansas has a lower cost of living
Lower living costs mean more disposable income for healthcare. Arkansas's cost-of-living index is 87.6 vs 88.6 in the other state.
View detailed comparisonHealth Snapshot
Alabama
Health
Life expectancy
73.2 yrs
Economy
Median household income
$54,943
Poverty rate
15.6%
Cost of living index
88.6
Arkansas
Health
Life expectancy
73.4 yrs
Economy
Median household income
$52,123
Poverty rate
15.7%
Cost of living index
87.6
What Stands Out
- Arkansas has the higher life expectancy at 73.4 years.
- Alabama has the lower poverty rate.
- Alabama has the higher median household income.
Related Pages
What This Means
Alabama vs Arkansas: Life Expectancy in context
Arkansas has a life expectancy of 73.4 yrs, compared with 73.2 yrs in Alabama. Life expectancy at birth in years (CDC 2021).
Alabama
73.2 yrs
Arkansas
73.4 yrs
People Also Ask
Alabama vs Arkansas Life Expectancy — Common Questions
Q What is Alabama's life expectancy?
Alabama's life expectancy is 73.2 yrs.
Q What is Arkansas's life expectancy?
Arkansas's life expectancy is 73.4 yrs.
Q Which state has a higher life expectancy — Alabama or Arkansas?
Arkansas has a higher life expectancy than Alabama.
More Comparisons: Alabama vs Arkansas
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Sources: Core demographic data comes from the 2020 U.S. Census, with land area from U.S. Census Bureau TIGER files. Income, housing, affordability, and tax fields are maintained in our comparison dataset; purchasing-power figures use BEA Regional Price Parities. Minimum wage data comes from the U.S. Department of Labor, gas prices from AAA, and electricity rates from the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Political control and election fields use 2024 presidential results together with National Conference of State Legislatures data. Gun-law labels use the Giffords scorecard, alcohol system data comes from NABCA, and marijuana status uses NCSL's state cannabis laws tracker.