Studies have shown that a higher salary generally leads to a longer life. However, according to a new study out of Georgetown University, California, when it comes to smoking, you can’t buy health.
In fact, the researchers noted that not smoking is twice as good for your health as earning a high salary.
Comparing the numbers and lifespans of people across socioeconomic levels, scientists found that having $300,000 increases your likelihood of living from 65 to 85 years old by 19%.
However, not smoking boosts that percentage to 37%.
A study of 6,300 people found wealth — and the access to better lifestyles and health care that comes with it — is a “better predictor of mortality than occupation, income or childhood socioeconomic status,” according to study author Dr. Dana Glei.
“[W]e found no significant differences across groups with $50,000 to $299,999 in wealth,” she noted.
“However, those with $300,000 to $499,999 had 41% lower mortality rates than those with only $200,000 to $299,999.”
Incidentally, having more than $500,000 in the bank didn’t help your odds of having a long lifespan, unlike very wealthy 104-year-old Mr. Burns from The Simpsons.
That said, not smoking led to a longer life even if you don’t have a lot of dough in the bank. “Health care practitioners cannot modify their patient’s wealth, but they should continue to discourage smoking,” the study concluded. “Wealth may be associated with longevity, but just don’t smoke.”