06/09/2026
Why are so many Americans moving to parts of the country that have dramatically lower average lifespans? It seems counterintuitive, but the answer is often economics, affordability, verses lifestyle tradeoffs.
States across the Southeast, Texas, and parts of the Midwest continue seeing population growth because housing is dramatically more affordable, taxes are often lower, and many employers have relocated jobs there. For families priced out of places like California, parts of Colorado, or the Northeast, owning a home in these markets can be far more attainable.
But life expectancy is influenced by more than geography. Broader trends like healthcare access, obesity rates, smoking, poverty levels, education, and rural hospital shortages are often higher is lower cost markets.
The real takeaway? People move based on economic survival first, even with possible negative outcomes for health and lifespan.
Would you make this choice?