ElderCarePeek

Minnesota vs South Dakota: Senior Care Cost Comparison (2026)

Side-by-side comparison of nursing home, assisted living, and home care costs.

Minnesota

$10,830/mo

Nursing home (private room)

Senior population: 16.3%

South Dakota

$8,304/mo

Nursing home (private room)

Senior population: 17.2%

Which State is More Affordable for Senior Care?

South Dakota has lower nursing home costs by $2,526/month ($30,312/year). Over 5 years, that's a difference of $151,560.

Detailed Cost Comparison

Care TypeMinnesotaSouth DakotaDifference
Nursing Home (Private)$10,830/mo$8,304/mo+$2,526
Nursing Home (Semi-Private)$9,963/mo$7,452/mo+$2,511
Assisted Living$4,750/mo$4,000/mo+$750
Home Health Aide$29.00/hr$26.00/hr+$3.00
Adult Day Care$1,900/mo$1,517/mo+$383
Homemaker Services$27.00/hr$24.00/hr+$3.00

Annual Cost Comparison

Minnesota Annual Costs

Nursing Home (Private)$129,960/yr
Assisted Living$57,000/yr
Home Health Aide (8hr/day)$61,248/yr
Adult Day Care$22,800/yr

South Dakota Annual Costs

Nursing Home (Private)$99,648/yr
Assisted Living$48,000/yr
Home Health Aide (8hr/day)$54,912/yr
Adult Day Care$18,204/yr

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Frequently Asked Questions

Which state has cheaper nursing homes: Minnesota or South Dakota?
South Dakota has lower nursing home costs. Minnesota averages $10,830/month while South Dakota averages $8,304/month, a difference of $2,526/month.
How do assisted living costs compare between Minnesota and South Dakota?
Assisted living in Minnesota costs $4,750/month compared to $4,000/month in South Dakota.
What about home health aide costs?
Home health aides charge $29.00/hour in Minnesota and $26.00/hour in South Dakota.
Which state has better Medicaid coverage for senior care?
Both states offer Medicaid coverage for nursing home care. Minnesota: Minnesota Medicaid covers nursing facility care. Elderly waiver for community-based alternatives.... South Dakota: South Dakota Medicaid covers nursing facilities. HOPE waiver for community-based alternatives....

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Data verified March 2026 · Source: Genworth Cost of Care Survey