The Healthiest Places to Live

By: amondalek

Published: Sep 18, 2016

7. Cheyenne, Wyo.: Wyoming residents in the High Plains may live in increased altitudes but their diabetes rates are among the lowest anywhere.

Cheyenne, Wyoming

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Getting healthy doesn't necessarily mean you have to spend a fortune on an expensive gym. It could be as simple as living in a healthier town.

And what makes a town "healthy"? Low rates of heart disease, diabetes, asthma, obesity, and other common ailments, of course. But to come up with the Money list, we looked at the number of doctors and hospitals within a 30-mile radius of a community, along with the percentage of the population covered by health insurance. We also considered the most basic factors: the number of residents who report that they feel healthy. There's something to be said for the phrase: "healthy mind, healthy body."

Living in a healthy town—and living a healthy lifestyle, for that matter—are certainly desirable qualities. But what difference does that make to Money? In fact, study after study shows that health and wealth are directly correlated. Your physical health can dramatically impact your financial well-being, in ways varying from increasing your salary to decreasing your long-term medical costs. So when you're looking through this list of healthy places, don't just think about how where you live could impact your vital statistics. Think about how a healthier life can make you wealthier, too.

1 of 10 Witold Skrypczak—Getty Images

10. St Augustine, Fla.: Floridians, including those in the coastal town of St. Augustine, die less frequently from heart disease compared to other cities and states.

2 of 10 David Sanger—Alamy

9. San Rafael, Calif.: Whether it's thanks to hiking or beach dwelling or whatever Golden State residents do to stay active, adult obesity levels are lower than most other places in the U.S.

3 of 10 Scott Markewitz—Getty Image

8. Provo, Utah: Recess must be beloved in Utah schools. The Beehive State, and the 115,866-person town of Provo within, has the lowest rate of childhood obesity in the country.

4 of 10 Cheyenne, Wyoming

7. Cheyenne, Wyo.: Wyoming residents in the High Plains may live in increased altitudes but their diabetes rates are among the lowest anywhere.

5 of 10 Eric James —Alamy

6. Nashua, N.H.: According to the Centers for Disease Control, the percentage of Nashua residents who report that they are in "good or excellent' health is the highest of any city studied.

6 of 10 Marcus Baker—Alamy

5. Quincy, Mass.: The Old Colony state, including its Quincy residents, have the fewest diabetes-related deaths nationwide. Pretty sweet, huh?

7 of 10 Woodbury, Minnesota

4. Woodbury, Minn.: Minnesotans must be eating their Cheerios, because this state's residents have the lowest rate of heart disease nationally.

8 of 10 Denis Tangney Jr—Getty Images

3. Greenwich, Conn: Good news for these East Coast residents—the state ranks highly based on the number of hospitals with more than 500 beds within 15 miles, meaning you're never too far from a doctor in case of emergency.

9 of 10 Greg Ward—Getty Images/Dorling Kindersley

2. Koolaupoko, Hawaii: Cancer deaths in Hawaiian towns like Koolaupoko are among the lowest in the country.

10 of 10 Courtesy of Highlands Ranch

1. Highlands Ranch, Colo.: With the lowest adult obesity rate in the country, Colorado residents are the healthiest in the country. Highlands Ranch also has a relatively low rate of childhood obesity.