Life Expectancy
Nebraska residents live 0.7 years longer on average
Nebraska has a life expectancy of 78.8 yrs vs 78.1 yrs in Iowa, a meaningful gap for relocation planning.
Life Expectancy Comparison
Health
Iowa vs Nebraska: Life Expectancy
Nebraska has a higher life expectancy than Iowa.
National Rankings
Where They Rank Nationally
See where both states fall among all 50 states for life expectancy.
Iowa
#21 · 78.1 yrs
Nebraska
#15 · 78.8 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
#21
Iowa
78.1 yrs
Iowa
#15
Nebraska
78.8 yrs
Nebraska
Iowa ranks 21st and Nebraska ranks 15th nationally for life expectancy.
Health Context
Key factors that shape the life-expectancy gap between these two states.
Health
Poverty
Nebraska has a lower poverty rate
Poverty and health outcomes are closely linked. Nebraska's lower poverty rate (10.5%) versus Iowa (11.3%) is part of the longevity story.
View detailed comparisonIncome
Nebraska has higher household income
Higher median income correlates with better healthcare access. Nebraska leads at $71,772 vs $70,571 in Iowa.
View detailed comparisonAffordability
Iowa has a lower cost of living
Lower living costs mean more disposable income for healthcare. Iowa's cost-of-living index is 91.0 vs 91.7 in the other state.
View detailed comparisonHealth Snapshot
Iowa
Health
Life expectancy
78.1 yrs
Economy
Median household income
$70,571
Poverty rate
11.3%
Cost of living index
91.0
Nebraska
Health
Life expectancy
78.8 yrs
Economy
Median household income
$71,772
Poverty rate
10.5%
Cost of living index
91.7
What Stands Out
- Nebraska has the higher life expectancy at 78.8 years.
- Nebraska has the lower poverty rate.
- Nebraska has the higher median household income.
Related Pages
What This Means
Iowa vs Nebraska: Life Expectancy in context
Nebraska has a life expectancy of 78.8 yrs, compared with 78.1 yrs in Iowa. Life expectancy at birth in years (CDC 2021).
Iowa
78.1 yrs
Nebraska
78.8 yrs
People Also Ask
Iowa vs Nebraska Life Expectancy — Common Questions
Q What is Iowa's life expectancy?
Iowa's life expectancy is 78.1 yrs.
Q What is Nebraska's life expectancy?
Nebraska's life expectancy is 78.8 yrs.
Q Which state has a higher life expectancy — Iowa or Nebraska?
Nebraska has a higher life expectancy than Iowa.
More Comparisons: Iowa vs Nebraska
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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.