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South Dakota Assisted Living by the Numbers
Patriot Angels partners in South Dakota are concentrated in Rapid City, Watertown and Huron, with 10 cities in total.
How Much Assisted Living Costs in South Dakota
The South Dakota median for assisted living is $4,900 a month ($58,800 a year), according to the CareScout (Genworth) 2025 Cost of Care Survey. That is 21% below the national median of $6,200. At the maximum benefit of up to $3,845 a month, a qualifying South Dakota family would have roughly $1,055 a month left to pay from income or savings.
| Setting | South Dakota median per month | U.S. median per month | Covered by up to $3,845 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assisted living | $4,900 | $6,200 | 78% |
| In-home care (non-medical) | $8,437 | $6,673 | 46% |
| Nursing home, semi-private room | $9,444 | $9,581 | 41% |
| Nursing home, private room | $10,190 | $10,798 | 38% |
Statewide medians for South Dakota from the CareScout (Genworth) Cost of Care Survey 2025. Prices at individual communities depend on apartment size and care level.
Related Patriot Angels guides
GuideHow Much Will VA Aid & Attendance Pay Toward Assisted Living?Read guide →GuideHow to Pay for Assisted LivingComing soonCheck South Dakota Aid & Attendance Eligibility
At the South Dakota median of $4,900 a month, up to $3,845 in Aid & Attendance would pay about 78% of the cost for a qualifying veteran or surviving spouse. Tell us about your South Dakota veteran and we will help you see what is possible.
Prefer to talk it through? Call (844) 757-3047
53,890 South Dakota Veterans, and Many Families Who Don’t Know About This Benefit
South Dakota is home to 53,890 veterans, 26,960 of them 65 or older, according to the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (2020–2024). Surviving spouses of South Dakota wartime veterans can qualify as well, which many families only learn after a parent has moved into care.
Veteran-Approved Assisted Living Across South Dakota
Patriot Angels works with 11 South Dakota assisted living partners. These cities have the most:
| City | Partner communities | Also offer memory care |
|---|---|---|
| Rapid City | 2 | 0 |
| Watertown | 1 | 0 |
| Huron | 1 | 1 |
| Brookings | 1 | 1 |
| Milbank | 1 | 1 |
| Fort Pierre | 1 | 1 |
| Madison | 1 | 0 |
| Spearfish | 1 | 1 |
Among South Dakota partners, the most common operators are HME Care/Peaceful Pines (7), Sinceri Senior Living (3), Good Samaritan Society (1).
Featured South Dakota Partners
How South Dakota Licenses Assisted Living
South Dakota Department of Health, Office of Licensure and Certification (SD DOH) licenses assisted living centers in South Dakota. License categories in South Dakota:
- Assisted Living Center
- Secured units for dementia
What it means for your family: South Dakota assisted living centers with secured dementia units must meet added requirements. Because 5 of 11 South Dakota partners run memory care too, ask early whether a community can keep your loved one as needs change.
Before you sign with a South Dakota community, check its record in the SD DOH Assisted Living Centers page (survey reports).
South Dakota Programs That Help Pay for Assisted Living
HOPE Waiver
The HOPE Waiver can cover assisted living services for eligible members.
Aid & Attendance in South Dakota
The benefit is paid to the South Dakota veteran or surviving spouse, not the community, so it can go toward any assisted living bill. It is not federally taxable.
The family home
Many South Dakota families rent out or sell the house. VA counts sale proceeds as assets, so plan the timing.
Long-term care insurance
Older policies often pay a daily amount for assisted living in South Dakota. Check the elimination period before move-in.
Find Assisted Living in Your South Dakota City
10 South Dakota cities have an assisted living page. Counts show partner communities.
Neighboring states: North Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska, Wyoming, Montana.
Veteran Families We’ve Helped
Families in South Dakota and across the country rate Patriot Angels 4.9 on Google (465 reviews). BBB A+ accredited. See all reviews
South Dakota Assisted Living Questions, Answered
How much is assisted living in South Dakota?
The South Dakota statewide median is $4,900 a month, or $58,800 a year (CareScout 2025). Each community sets prices by apartment and level of care.
Can Aid & Attendance pay for assisted living in South Dakota?
Yes. A qualifying wartime veteran or surviving spouse can receive up to $3,845 a month and use it toward a South Dakota assisted living bill, about 78% of the state median.
Who licenses assisted living in South Dakota?
South Dakota Department of Health, Office of Licensure and Certification.
Does South Dakota Medicaid cover assisted living?
HOPE Waiver: The HOPE Waiver can cover assisted living services for eligible members.
How many Patriot Angels partners are in South Dakota?
11 assisted living partners in 10 cities, and 5 of them also offer memory care.
New to Assisted Living? Start Here
The national guide explains how assisted living works anywhere. Use it for the basics, then come back for South Dakota numbers and partners.
Related Patriot Angels guides
GuideDoes Aid & Attendance Pay for Assisted Living?Read guide →
GuideVA Benefits for Widows: Assisted Living & Home CareRead guide →
GuideSenior Living Tour ChecklistComing soonOther Care Options in South Dakota
Independent living in South Dakota
For South Dakota veterans who don’t need daily care yet. 9 of these partners offer it too.
Memory care in South Dakota
Secure dementia care in South Dakota, offered by 5 of our partners here.
In-home care in South Dakota
Help at home in South Dakota; the state median is $8,437 a month.