Life Expectancy
North Carolina residents live 2.5 years longer on average
North Carolina has a life expectancy of 75.7 yrs vs 73.2 yrs in Alabama, a meaningful gap for relocation planning.
Life Expectancy Comparison
Health
Alabama vs North Carolina: Life Expectancy
North Carolina 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
North Carolina
#35 · 75.7 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
#35
North Carolina
75.7 yrs
North Carolina
Alabama ranks 47th and North Carolina ranks 35th nationally for life expectancy.
Health Context
Key factors that shape the life-expectancy gap between these two states.
Health
Poverty
North Carolina has a lower poverty rate
Poverty and health outcomes are closely linked. North Carolina's lower poverty rate (12.8%) versus Alabama (15.6%) is part of the longevity story.
View detailed comparisonIncome
North Carolina has higher household income
Higher median income correlates with better healthcare access. North Carolina leads at $63,947 vs $54,943 in Alabama.
View detailed comparisonAffordability
Alabama has a lower cost of living
Lower living costs mean more disposable income for healthcare. Alabama's cost-of-living index is 88.6 vs 96.4 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
North Carolina
Health
Life expectancy
75.7 yrs
Economy
Median household income
$63,947
Poverty rate
12.8%
Cost of living index
96.4
What Stands Out
- North Carolina has the higher life expectancy at 75.7 years.
- North Carolina has the lower poverty rate.
- North Carolina has the higher median household income.
Related Pages
What This Means
Alabama vs North Carolina: Life Expectancy in context
North Carolina has a life expectancy of 75.7 yrs, compared with 73.2 yrs in Alabama. Life expectancy at birth in years (CDC 2021).
Alabama
73.2 yrs
North Carolina
75.7 yrs
People Also Ask
Alabama vs North Carolina Life Expectancy — Common Questions
Q What is Alabama's life expectancy?
Alabama's life expectancy is 73.2 yrs.
Q What is North Carolina's life expectancy?
North Carolina's life expectancy is 75.7 yrs.
Q Which state has a higher life expectancy — Alabama or North Carolina?
North Carolina has a higher life expectancy than Alabama.
More Comparisons: Alabama vs North Carolina
Grouped tabs keep the deep-dive links tighter and easier to scan.
Explore Each State
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.