Why living near the ocean may add years to your life – while urban riverside areas do the opposite
By isabelle // 2025-08-26
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  • Living near the coast could add a year or more to your life expectancy.
  • Urban residents near inland lakes and rivers may die sooner than average.
  • Coastal areas offer milder climates, better air quality, and more recreation opportunities.
  • Urban inland water areas suffer from pollution, poverty, and fewer safe spaces for activity.
  • Environmental factors like location may play a key role in America’s declining life expectancy.
If you’ve ever dreamed of retiring by the beach, science just gave you another reason to make it happen. A groundbreaking study from Ohio State University reveals that living within 30 miles of the ocean or a gulf could add a full year or more to your life expectancy, while urban dwellers near inland lakes and rivers may actually die sooner than average. The findings, published in Environmental Research, analyzed data from more than 66,000 U.S. census tracts, comparing life expectancy based on proximity to water. The results were striking: coastal residents lived longer, while those in urban areas near large inland water bodies saw shorter lifespans—around 78 years, below the national average of 79. So, what’s the secret? Is it the salty air, the sound of waves, or something deeper?

The coastal advantage

Lead researcher Jianyong "Jamie" Wu, an assistant professor of environmental health sciences, said the study was the first to systematically examine how different types of "blue spaces" (ocean, gulf, lake, river) affect longevity. "We thought it was possible that any type of 'blue space' would offer some beneficial effects," Wu said. "We were surprised to find such a significant and clear difference between those who live near coastal waters and those who live near inland waters." The data suggests coastal living provides milder temperatures, better air quality, more recreation opportunities, and higher incomes, all of which are factors linked to longer, healthier lives. Meanwhile, urban inland water areas suffered from pollution, poverty, flooding risks, and fewer safe spaces for physical activity, which likely contributed to shorter lifespans. Postdoctoral researcher Yanni Cao added, "Pollution, poverty, lack of safe opportunities to be physically active, and an increased risk of flooding are likely drivers of these differences."

Not all waterfronts are equal

Interestingly, the study found that rural residents near inland waters still saw some lifespan benefits—just not as strong as coastal living. But in cities, those advantages disappeared. Previous research has linked "blue spaces" to lower obesity rates, better heart health, and higher physical activity levels. However, this study is the first to show that only coastal proximity consistently extends life, while urban inland water areas may actually shorten it. Cao noted that the U.S. has seen a sharper decline in life expectancy compared to other wealthy nations in recent years. "It’s likely that various social determinants of health, including complex environmental factors, that contribute to health inequities are playing a key role in the differences we saw," she said.

Could this help explain America’s declining life expectancy?

The U.S. has been lagging behind other developed nations in life expectancy, and this study suggests environmental factors, like where people live, may be a missing piece of the puzzle. If coastal living boosts longevity while urban inland areas drag it down, could policy changes such as improving air quality, reducing pollution, and creating safer green spaces help close the gap? Wu and his team didn’t explore cause-and-effect directly, but the correlation is strong. For those who can afford it, moving near the ocean might be one of the best investments for a longer, healthier life. But for the millions stuck in polluted urban areas near rivers and lakes, the study serves as a warning: not all waterfronts are created equal. If you’re landlocked, don’t despair. Rural inland water areas still offer some benefits. But if you’re in a city, the message is clear: clean air, safe recreation, and economic stability matter just as much as proximity to water. Sources for this article include: ScienceDaily.com CPH.OSU.edu ScienceAlert.com
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