Life Expectancy
Alabama residents live 1.3 years longer on average
Alabama has a life expectancy of 73.2 yrs vs 71.9 yrs in Mississippi, a meaningful gap for relocation planning.
Life Expectancy Comparison
Health
Alabama vs Mississippi: Life Expectancy
Alabama has a higher life expectancy than Mississippi.
National Rankings
Where They Rank Nationally
See where both states fall among all 50 states for life expectancy.
Alabama
#47 · 73.2 yrs
Mississippi
#50 · 71.9 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
#50
Mississippi
71.9 yrs
Mississippi
Alabama ranks 47th and Mississippi ranks 50th 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 Mississippi (18.0%) 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 $49,111 in Mississippi.
View detailed comparisonAffordability
Mississippi has a lower cost of living
Lower living costs mean more disposable income for healthcare. Mississippi's cost-of-living index is 85.5 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
Mississippi
Health
Life expectancy
71.9 yrs
Economy
Median household income
$49,111
Poverty rate
18.0%
Cost of living index
85.5
What Stands Out
- Alabama has the higher life expectancy at 73.2 years.
- Alabama has the lower poverty rate.
- Alabama has the higher median household income.
Related Pages
What This Means
Alabama vs Mississippi: Life Expectancy in context
Alabama has a life expectancy of 73.2 yrs, compared with 71.9 yrs in Mississippi. Life expectancy at birth in years (CDC 2021).
Alabama
73.2 yrs
Mississippi
71.9 yrs
People Also Ask
Alabama vs Mississippi Life Expectancy — Common Questions
Q What is Alabama's life expectancy?
Alabama's life expectancy is 73.2 yrs.
Q What is Mississippi's life expectancy?
Mississippi's life expectancy is 71.9 yrs.
Q Which state has a higher life expectancy — Alabama or Mississippi?
Alabama has a higher life expectancy than Mississippi.
More Comparisons: Alabama vs Mississippi
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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.