Life Expectancy
California residents live 5.8 years longer on average
California has a life expectancy of 79.2 yrs vs 73.4 yrs in Arkansas, a meaningful gap for relocation planning.
Health
Arkansas vs California: Life Expectancy
California has a higher life expectancy than Arkansas.
National Rankings
Where They Rank Nationally
See where both states fall among all 50 states for life expectancy.
Arkansas
#46 · 73.4 yrs
California
#12 · 79.2 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
#46
Arkansas
73.4 yrs
Arkansas
#12
California
79.2 yrs
California
Arkansas ranks 46th and California ranks 12th nationally for life expectancy.
Health Context
Life Expectancy in context
Key factors that shape the life-expectancy gap between these two states.
Poverty
California has a lower poverty rate
Poverty and health outcomes are closely linked. California's lower poverty rate (12.0%) versus Arkansas (15.7%) is part of the longevity story.
See full data →Income
California has higher household income
Higher median income correlates with better healthcare access. California leads at $84,097 vs $52,123 in Arkansas.
See full data →Affordability
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 138.5 in the other state.
See full data →Health snapshot
ArkansasHealth
- Life expectancy
- 73.4 yrs
Economy
- Median household income
- $52,123
- Poverty rate
- 15.7%
- Cost of living index
- 87.6
CaliforniaHealth
- Life expectancy
- 79.2 yrs
Economy
- Median household income
- $84,097
- Poverty rate
- 12.0%
- Cost of living index
- 138.5
What stands out
- California has the higher life expectancy at 79.2 years.
- California has the lower poverty rate.
- California has the higher median household income.
Related pages
What this means
Arkansas vs California: Life Expectancy in context
California's life expectancy is 79.2 yrs, compared with 73.4 yrs in Arkansas. Life expectancy at birth in years (CDC 2021).
Arkansas
73.4 yrs
California
79.2 yrs
People also ask
Arkansas vs California Life Expectancy — common questions
QWhat is Arkansas's life expectancy?
Arkansas's life expectancy is 73.4 yrs.
QWhat is California's life expectancy?
California's life expectancy is 79.2 yrs.
QWhich state has a higher life expectancy — Arkansas or California?
California has a higher life expectancy than Arkansas.
More comparisons: Arkansas vs California
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Data source and freshness
Data period
2021
Dataset reviewed
July 23, 2026
Method note
Life expectancy at birth.