Life Expectancy
Virginia residents live 4.5 years longer on average
Virginia has a life expectancy of 77.9 yrs vs 73.4 yrs in Arkansas, a meaningful gap for relocation planning.
Life Expectancy Comparison
Health
Arkansas vs Virginia: Life Expectancy
Virginia 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
Virginia
#23 · 77.9 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
#46
Arkansas
73.4 yrs
Arkansas
#23
Virginia
77.9 yrs
Virginia
Arkansas ranks 46th and Virginia ranks 23rd nationally for life expectancy.
Health Context
Key factors that shape the life-expectancy gap between these two states.
Health
Poverty
Virginia has a lower poverty rate
Poverty and health outcomes are closely linked. Virginia's lower poverty rate (10.2%) versus Arkansas (15.7%) is part of the longevity story.
View detailed comparisonIncome
Virginia has higher household income
Higher median income correlates with better healthcare access. Virginia leads at $87,249 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 103.7 in the other state.
View detailed comparisonHealth Snapshot
Arkansas
Health
Life expectancy
73.4 yrs
Economy
Median household income
$52,123
Poverty rate
15.7%
Cost of living index
87.6
Virginia
Health
Life expectancy
77.9 yrs
Economy
Median household income
$87,249
Poverty rate
10.2%
Cost of living index
103.7
What Stands Out
- Virginia has the higher life expectancy at 77.9 years.
- Virginia has the lower poverty rate.
- Virginia has the higher median household income.
Related Pages
What This Means
Arkansas vs Virginia: Life Expectancy in context
Virginia has a life expectancy of 77.9 yrs, compared with 73.4 yrs in Arkansas. Life expectancy at birth in years (CDC 2021).
Arkansas
73.4 yrs
Virginia
77.9 yrs
People Also Ask
Arkansas vs Virginia Life Expectancy — Common Questions
Q What is Arkansas's life expectancy?
Arkansas's life expectancy is 73.4 yrs.
Q What is Virginia's life expectancy?
Virginia's life expectancy is 77.9 yrs.
Q Which state has a higher life expectancy — Arkansas or Virginia?
Virginia has a higher life expectancy than Arkansas.
More Comparisons: Arkansas vs Virginia
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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.