Cancer Rates By State

Cancer Rate
Cancer Rate
1.MaineMaine6.54%
2.KentuckyKentucky6.5%
3.MichiganMichigan6.49%
4.North DakotaNorth Dakota6.46%
5.Rhode IslandRhode Island6.45%
6.New HampshireNew Hampshire6.45%
7.West VirginiaWest Virginia6.44%
8.South DakotaSouth Dakota6.43%
9.MissouriMissouri6.42%
10.MontanaMontana6.42%
11.TennesseeTennessee6.41%
12.OhioOhio6.41%
13.WisconsinWisconsin6.4%
14.IndianaIndiana6.4%
15.VermontVermont6.39%
16.PennsylvaniaPennsylvania6.37%
17.IllinoisIllinois6.36%
18.NebraskaNebraska6.36%
19.WashingtonWashington6.35%
20.OregonOregon6.34%
21.OklahomaOklahoma6.34%
22.IowaIowa6.32%
23.MinnesotaMinnesota6.32%
24.New YorkNew York6.31%
25.MassachusettsMassachusetts6.31%
26.WyomingWyoming6.31%
27.MarylandMaryland6.31%
28.ConnecticutConnecticut6.3%
29.KansasKansas6.29%
30.ArkansasArkansas6.29%
31.DelawareDelaware6.29%
32.UtahUtah6.27%
33.North CarolinaNorth Carolina6.24%
34.IdahoIdaho6.24%
35.VirginiaVirginia6.24%
36.AlabamaAlabama6.23%
37.FloridaFlorida6.17%
38.AlaskaAlaska6.17%
39.ColoradoColorado6.15%
40.South CarolinaSouth Carolina6.13%
41.LouisianaLouisiana6.12%
42.NevadaNevada6.09%
43.GeorgiaGeorgia6.07%
44.MississippiMississippi6.03%
45.ArizonaArizona5.94%
46.New JerseyNew Jersey5.86%
47.CaliforniaCalifornia5.83%
48.TexasTexas5.79%
49.New MexicoNew Mexico5.54%
50.HawaiiHawaii5.35%

Cancer Rates Across the U.S.

Cancer continues to profoundly impact the health landscape of the United States, claiming the second place as a cause of death nationally, superseded only by heart disease. With a deeply distressing statistic of one in every four deaths in the U.S. resulting from cancer, understanding regional disparities and prevalence rates becomes a critical element in combating this deadly disease. Given its predominantly lifestyle-oriented risk factors such as smoking, alcohol consumption and obesity, cancer rates paint a diverse picture across various states. Based on the latest data, variation is seen in state-level cancer rates, with Hawaii recording the lowest incidence at 5.35%, while Maine shows the highest at 6.54%. Notable findings from the data reveal:

  • Predominantly coastal states such as Hawaii (5.35%), California (5.83%), and New Jersey (5.86%) recorded relatively low cancer rates. This trend potentially points towards healthier lifestyle choices or state-level public health interventions.
  • Several southern states, including Mississippi (6.03%), Georgia (6.07%), and Louisiana (6.12%), have moderate cancer rates.
  • Notably, states with the highest cancer rates fall in the northern region of the country, such as Maine (6.54%), Michigan (6.49%), and North Dakota (6.46%). This pattern prompts a deeper investigation into possible reasons such as environmental risk factors, tobacco use, and state-specific demographics, among other factors.

Highest Cancer Rates by State

Based on the available data, the states with the highest cancer rates are predominantly located in the northern part of the U.S., with the addition of Kentucky from the south showing a higher rate. Maine is leading the chart with the highest cancer rate of 6.54%. The second highest cancer rate is seen in Kentucky with a rate of 6.5%. Although located in the south, Kentucky's rate is consistent with the high rates found in other northern states, indicating the possibility of lifestyle, economic or environmental risk factors contributing to the high rates. In third place, Michigan shows a rate of 6.49%. North Dakota falls in fourth place with a cancer rate of 6.46%, followed closely by Rhode Island and New Hampshire, both having an identical rate of 6.45%. West Virginia and South Dakota also display high incidences of cancer, at 6.44% and 6.43% respectively. Completing the top 10 list of states with highest cancer rates, Missouri and Montana both stand at a cancer rate of 6.42%.

States with highest cancer rates:

  1. Maine - 6.54%
  2. Kentucky - 6.5%
  3. Michigan - 6.49%
  4. North Dakota - 6.46%
  5. Rhode Island - 6.45%
  6. New Hampshire - 6.45%
  7. West Virginia - 6.44%
  8. South Dakota - 6.43%
  9. Missouri - 6.42%
  10. Montana - 6.42%

Lowest Cancer Rates by State

Hawaii presents the lowest cancer rate with 5.35%. This Pacific state occupies the 50th position in this ranking. Following closely is New Mexico with a low cancer rate of 5.54%. Middle-ranking states like Texas, with a rate of 5.79%, California with a rate of 5.83%, and New Jersey at 5.86%. Their above-average performance could be attributed to investments in comprehensive healthcare programs, progressive public health policies, and strong education campaigns that promote healthier lifestyles and early detection practices. Towards the end of the list, we see states like Arizona (5.94%), Mississippi (6.03%), Georgia (6.07%), and Louisiana (6.12%) hovering slightly above the average cancer rate in the United States. States with Lowest Cancer Rates:

  1. Hawaii - 5.35%
  2. New Mexico - 5.54%
  3. Texas - 5.79%
  4. California - 5.83%
  5. New Jersey - 5.86%
  6. Arizona - 5.94%
  7. Mississippi - 6.03%
  8. Georgia - 6.07%
  9. Nevada - 6.09%
  10. Louisiana - 6.12%

By Region

Alabama

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Alabama

Metric

Value

Rank

Cancer Rate

6.23%

#36

Alaska

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Alaska

Metric

Value

Rank

Cancer Rate

6.17%

#38

Arizona

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Arizona

Metric

Value

Rank

Cancer Rate

5.94%

#45

Arkansas

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Arkansas

Metric

Value

Rank

Cancer Rate

6.29%

#30

California

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California

Metric

Value

Rank

Cancer Rate

5.83%

#47

Colorado

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Colorado

Metric

Value

Rank

Cancer Rate

6.15%

#39

Connecticut

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Connecticut

Metric

Value

Rank

Cancer Rate

6.3%

#28

Delaware

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Delaware

Metric

Value

Rank

Cancer Rate

6.29%

#31

Florida

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Florida

Metric

Value

Rank

Cancer Rate

6.17%

#37

Georgia

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Georgia

Metric

Value

Rank

Cancer Rate

6.07%

#43

Hawaii

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Hawaii

Metric

Value

Rank

Cancer Rate

5.35%

#50

Idaho

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Idaho

Metric

Value

Rank

Cancer Rate

6.24%

#34

Illinois

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Illinois

Metric

Value

Rank

Cancer Rate

6.36%

#17

Indiana

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Indiana

Metric

Value

Rank

Cancer Rate

6.4%

#14

Iowa

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Iowa

Metric

Value

Rank

Cancer Rate

6.32%

#22

Kansas

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Kansas

Metric

Value

Rank

Cancer Rate

6.29%

#29

Kentucky

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Kentucky

Metric

Value

Rank

Cancer Rate

6.5%

#2

Louisiana

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Louisiana

Metric

Value

Rank

Cancer Rate

6.12%

#41

Maine

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Maine

Metric

Value

Rank

Cancer Rate

6.54%

#1

Maryland

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Maryland

Metric

Value

Rank

Cancer Rate

6.31%

#27

Massachusetts

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Massachusetts

Metric

Value

Rank

Cancer Rate

6.31%

#25

Michigan

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Michigan

Metric

Value

Rank

Cancer Rate

6.49%

#3

Minnesota

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Minnesota

Metric

Value

Rank

Cancer Rate

6.32%

#23

Mississippi

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Mississippi

Metric

Value

Rank

Cancer Rate

6.03%

#44

Missouri

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Missouri

Metric

Value

Rank

Cancer Rate

6.42%

#9

Montana

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Montana

Metric

Value

Rank

Cancer Rate

6.42%

#10

Nebraska

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Nebraska

Metric

Value

Rank

Cancer Rate

6.36%

#18

Nevada

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Nevada

Metric

Value

Rank

Cancer Rate

6.09%

#42

New Hampshire

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New Hampshire

Metric

Value

Rank

Cancer Rate

6.45%

#6

New Jersey

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New Jersey

Metric

Value

Rank

Cancer Rate

5.86%

#46

New Mexico

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New Mexico

Metric

Value

Rank

Cancer Rate

5.54%

#49

New York

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New York

Metric

Value

Rank

Cancer Rate

6.31%

#24

North Carolina

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North Carolina

Metric

Value

Rank

Cancer Rate

6.24%

#33

North Dakota

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North Dakota

Metric

Value

Rank

Cancer Rate

6.46%

#4

Ohio

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Ohio

Metric

Value

Rank

Cancer Rate

6.41%

#12

Oklahoma

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Oklahoma

Metric

Value

Rank

Cancer Rate

6.34%

#21

Oregon

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Oregon

Metric

Value

Rank

Cancer Rate

6.34%

#20

Pennsylvania

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Pennsylvania

Metric

Value

Rank

Cancer Rate

6.37%

#16

Rhode Island

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Rhode Island

Metric

Value

Rank

Cancer Rate

6.45%

#5

South Carolina

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South Carolina

Metric

Value

Rank

Cancer Rate

6.13%

#40

South Dakota

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South Dakota

Metric

Value

Rank

Cancer Rate

6.43%

#8

Tennessee

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Tennessee

Metric

Value

Rank

Cancer Rate

6.41%

#11

Texas

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Texas

Metric

Value

Rank

Cancer Rate

5.79%

#48

Utah

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Utah

Metric

Value

Rank

Cancer Rate

6.27%

#32

Vermont

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Vermont

Metric

Value

Rank

Cancer Rate

6.39%

#15

Virginia

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Virginia

Metric

Value

Rank

Cancer Rate

6.24%

#35

Washington

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Washington

Metric

Value

Rank

Cancer Rate

6.35%

#19

West Virginia

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West Virginia

Metric

Value

Rank

Cancer Rate

6.44%

#7

Wisconsin

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Wisconsin

Metric

Value

Rank

Cancer Rate

6.4%

#13

Wyoming

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Wyoming

Metric

Value

Rank

Cancer Rate

6.31%

#26

Table

Region ↕Cancer Rate ↕
Alabama iconAlabama6.23%
Alaska iconAlaska6.17%
Arizona iconArizona5.94%
Arkansas iconArkansas6.29%
California iconCalifornia5.83%
Colorado iconColorado6.15%
Connecticut iconConnecticut6.3%
Delaware iconDelaware6.29%
Florida iconFlorida6.17%
Georgia iconGeorgia6.07%
Hawaii iconHawaii5.35%
Idaho iconIdaho6.24%
Illinois iconIllinois6.36%
Indiana iconIndiana6.4%
Iowa iconIowa6.32%
Kansas iconKansas6.29%
Kentucky iconKentucky6.5%
Louisiana iconLouisiana6.12%
Maine iconMaine6.54%
Maryland iconMaryland6.31%
Massachusetts iconMassachusetts6.31%
Michigan iconMichigan6.49%
Minnesota iconMinnesota6.32%
Mississippi iconMississippi6.03%
Missouri iconMissouri6.42%
Montana iconMontana6.42%
Nebraska iconNebraska6.36%
Nevada iconNevada6.09%
New Hampshire iconNew Hampshire6.45%
New Jersey iconNew Jersey5.86%
New Mexico iconNew Mexico5.54%
New York iconNew York6.31%
North Carolina iconNorth Carolina6.24%
North Dakota iconNorth Dakota6.46%
Ohio iconOhio6.41%
Oklahoma iconOklahoma6.34%
Oregon iconOregon6.34%
Pennsylvania iconPennsylvania6.37%
Rhode Island iconRhode Island6.45%
South Carolina iconSouth Carolina6.13%
South Dakota iconSouth Dakota6.43%
Tennessee iconTennessee6.41%
Texas iconTexas5.79%
Utah iconUtah6.27%
Vermont iconVermont6.39%
Virginia iconVirginia6.24%
Washington iconWashington6.35%
West Virginia iconWest Virginia6.44%
Wisconsin iconWisconsin6.4%
Wyoming iconWyoming6.31%
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