Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare health lifestyles of elders according to area of residence. Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 2,545 elders living in urban (n=335), urban-rural composite (n=839) and rural (1,371) areas. Following informed consent, the elders completed a questionnaire. Chi-test, Fisher's exact test, and one-way ANOVA were used to analyze the data. Results: According to residential area, significant differences were found for age, educational status, occupation and household income (p<.01) and for plans to quit smoking (p=.005). Of elders currently smoking, 34.7% in urban-rural com -posite, 26.9% in urban and 16.7% in rural areas planned to quit within the next 6 months. Significant differences were found for alcohol consumption within the last month and frequency (p<.05). Exercise rates were highest in urban elders, but walking over 30 min was higher in urban-rural composite and rural elders (p<.05). Eating habits were least healthy in urban-rural composite (men 10.4%, women 11.3%) and rural elders (men 9.0%, women 15.6%) compared to urban elders (men 1.6%, women 0.0%) (p=.000). Conclusion: Health lifestyle for elders is significantly different according to residential area, indicating a need to develop community -based health care programs to improve elders’ health lifestyle.