With a pleasant climate and the beautiful Black Hills surrounding it, the city of Rapid City, SD, has much to appeal to active seniors. Of the 76,184 people who live in the community, 18.3% are aged 65 and older, which means there are around 14,000 older adults in the city. The city also has a lower-than-average cost of living, which adds to its benefits for older adults.
Seniors who need a little extra help with daily living tasks but don’t need extensive medical or nursing care may choose assisted living communities. The cost of these facilities is another perk of living in Rapid City. According to the 2021 Genworth Cost of Care Survey, the average assisted living monthly cost is $3,914 a month. In fact, it’s the most affordable senior care option in the city and much more affordable than the national average.
This guide provides information about local assisted living costs and options for Rapid City residents. It also provides a list of programs that help local seniors and an overview of the different ways to pay for assisted living care.
Directory of Assisted Living Facilities in Rapid City, SD
My friend is at The Victorian Assisted Living. One of the things that helped us decide is simply the location, the view that it has, the backyard, and when you look out the window of her room, you see
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My friend is at The Victorian Assisted Living. One of the things that helped us decide is simply the location, the view that it has, the backyard, and when you look out the window of her room, you see trees and something besides sidewalks and parking lots. The view is nice. The building has lots of sunlight. Those are two of the reasons we chose that. The services are appropriate for what she needs and the staff has been pleasant, helpful, and friendly. We’ve been very pleased. It is not pet friendly and they don’t do regular transportation though.
The staff is friendly and accommodating. The dining room is comfortable. They have little tables for four and it’s an attractive room and it looks like it’s convenient to the kitchen and the rooms. The layout of the place is nice. It is a fairly new building, so it’s clean and looks well kept. The big windows, the sunlight, and the view were a big part of that. They have kind of a backyard area with grass and there’s also kind of a concrete patio that’s part of that, then they do flowers in the spring out there. They offer things and I have been in there and heard people laughing like they were having a lot of fun.
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My friend is at The Victorian Assisted Living. One of the things that helped us decide is simply the location, the view that it has, the backyard, and when you look out the window of her room, you see
… (read more)
My friend is at The Victorian Assisted Living. One of the things that helped us decide is simply the location, the view that it has, the backyard, and when you look out the window of her room, you see trees and something besides sidewalks and parking lots. The view is nice. The building has lots of sunlight. Those are two of the reasons we chose that. The services are appropriate for what she needs and the staff has been pleasant, helpful, and friendly. We’ve been very pleased. It is not pet friendly and they don’t do regular transportation though.
The staff is friendly and accommodating. The dining room is comfortable. They have little tables for four and it’s an attractive room and it looks like it’s convenient to the kitchen and the rooms. The layout of the place is nice. It is a fairly new building, so it’s clean and looks well kept. The big windows, the sunlight, and the view were a big part of that. They have kind of a backyard area with grass and there’s also kind of a concrete patio that’s part of that, then they do flowers in the spring out there. They offer things and I have been in there and heard people laughing like they were having a lot of fun.
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I went to Fairmont Grand Senior Living. I did not care for it. It just wasn’t the right place for my mom. The staff was very nice. I believe they have activities and some amenities. The studio apartme
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I went to Fairmont Grand Senior Living. I did not care for it. It just wasn’t the right place for my mom. The staff was very nice. I believe they have activities and some amenities. The studio apartments didn’t have their own shower, so there was a big bathroom area with shower and tub. It just wasn’t going to work for my mom to have to go down the hall and shower. Some of the rooms have individual showers, but not all of them. It looks very tired, even though they had just done carpet and paint. It’s just an older facility.
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I went to Fairmont Grand Senior Living. I did not care for it. It just wasn’t the right place for my mom. The staff was very nice. I believe they have activities and some amenities. The studio apartme
… (read more)
I went to Fairmont Grand Senior Living. I did not care for it. It just wasn’t the right place for my mom. The staff was very nice. I believe they have activities and some amenities. The studio apartments didn’t have their own shower, so there was a big bathroom area with shower and tub. It just wasn’t going to work for my mom to have to go down the hall and shower. Some of the rooms have individual showers, but not all of them. It looks very tired, even though they had just done carpet and paint. It’s just an older facility.
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Arrowhead Lodge Senior Living is an assisted living facility on East Minnesota Street in Rapid City, South Dakota, just a few miles from Rapid City Medical Center South. Visitors describe the staff as
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Arrowhead Lodge Senior Living is an assisted living facility on East Minnesota Street in Rapid City, South Dakota, just a few miles from Rapid City Medical Center South. Visitors describe the staff as friendly and praise the dining area, which has four-seat tables for a restaurant-style experience. There are regularly scheduled activities at this community, such as yoga classes, puzzles and coffee hours. The facility also provides supervised outings to Walmart. Arrowhead Lodge Senior Living has one- and two-bedroom apartments from which to choose.
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Arrowhead Lodge Senior Living is an assisted living facility on East Minnesota Street in Rapid City, South Dakota, just a few miles from Rapid City Medical Center South. Visitors describe the staff as
… (read more)
Arrowhead Lodge Senior Living is an assisted living facility on East Minnesota Street in Rapid City, South Dakota, just a few miles from Rapid City Medical Center South. Visitors describe the staff as friendly and praise the dining area, which has four-seat tables for a restaurant-style experience. There are regularly scheduled activities at this community, such as yoga classes, puzzles and coffee hours. The facility also provides supervised outings to Walmart. Arrowhead Lodge Senior Living has one- and two-bedroom apartments from which to choose.
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When we walked in Edgewood, it instantly had that homey and welcoming feeling. It was a lot better than the other ones we have checked out. The residents seemed happy and people would talk to each oth
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When we walked in Edgewood, it instantly had that homey and welcoming feeling. It was a lot better than the other ones we have checked out. The residents seemed happy and people would talk to each other. They showed us different menus and if the residents didn’t want anything on the menu, they had something on the side that they could choose. They had a grill area where if you didn’t like what they were having that day, you could have chicken nuggets or a hotdog there, which was a great option. They had a chef there, so I feel like their food is going to be good. Even just looking through their menus, my parents looked very pleased with what they’re going to be having. I would describe the staff as family, that’s how they treated us.
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When we walked in Edgewood, it instantly had that homey and welcoming feeling. It was a lot better than the other ones we have checked out. The residents seemed happy and people would talk to each oth
… (read more)
When we walked in Edgewood, it instantly had that homey and welcoming feeling. It was a lot better than the other ones we have checked out. The residents seemed happy and people would talk to each other. They showed us different menus and if the residents didn’t want anything on the menu, they had something on the side that they could choose. They had a grill area where if you didn’t like what they were having that day, you could have chicken nuggets or a hotdog there, which was a great option. They had a chef there, so I feel like their food is going to be good. Even just looking through their menus, my parents looked very pleased with what they’re going to be having. I would describe the staff as family, that’s how they treated us.
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My mother moved into The Village at Skyline Pines last Thursday. We chose it for a variety of reasons. We ended up knowing a lot of the care providers, and they knew my mom. They welcomed her, and she
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My mother moved into The Village at Skyline Pines last Thursday. We chose it for a variety of reasons. We ended up knowing a lot of the care providers, and they knew my mom. They welcomed her, and she has been so busy since she got there. She’s just loving it.
The atmosphere is very happy and very comfortable. The food is excellent. I have not tried the food, but my mom says it’s really, really good, very fresh, and very tasty. I know that they played bingo last week on Thursday. This Friday they have a Mother’s Day tea, and they’re all wearing fancy hats.
It’s very clean, and I’m very pleased. The hallways are very clean. The rooms are very clean. The dining room is spotless. It’s just so interesting to see her spend an hour to an hour and a half at mealtime talking with people and laughing. That’s exactly what we wanted for her. The staff is very friendly, very helpful, and very kind.
It’s a good value. It’s expensive, but the atmosphere, the food, and the nursing care is all worth it.
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My mother moved into The Village at Skyline Pines last Thursday. We chose it for a variety of reasons. We ended up knowing a lot of the care providers, and they knew my mom. They welcomed her, and she
… (read more)
My mother moved into The Village at Skyline Pines last Thursday. We chose it for a variety of reasons. We ended up knowing a lot of the care providers, and they knew my mom. They welcomed her, and she has been so busy since she got there. She’s just loving it.
The atmosphere is very happy and very comfortable. The food is excellent. I have not tried the food, but my mom says it’s really, really good, very fresh, and very tasty. I know that they played bingo last week on Thursday. This Friday they have a Mother’s Day tea, and they’re all wearing fancy hats.
It’s very clean, and I’m very pleased. The hallways are very clean. The rooms are very clean. The dining room is spotless. It’s just so interesting to see her spend an hour to an hour and a half at mealtime talking with people and laughing. That’s exactly what we wanted for her. The staff is very friendly, very helpful, and very kind.
It’s a good value. It’s expensive, but the atmosphere, the food, and the nursing care is all worth it.
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Westhills South Assisted Living Facility is located on Anamaria Drive in Rapid City, South Dakota, just a short drive from Black Hills Surgical Hospital and Rapid City Medical Center South. Visitors t
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Westhills South Assisted Living Facility is located on Anamaria Drive in Rapid City, South Dakota, just a short drive from Black Hills Surgical Hospital and Rapid City Medical Center South. Visitors to the facility commend the staff, noting that they are highly trained and qualified. Also receiving praise is the food, which is created in conjunction with the advice of a nutritionist. The amenities get high marks from guests and include internet service, media facilities and a library where residents can read and relax.
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Westhills South Assisted Living Facility is located on Anamaria Drive in Rapid City, South Dakota, just a short drive from Black Hills Surgical Hospital and Rapid City Medical Center South. Visitors t
… (read more)
Westhills South Assisted Living Facility is located on Anamaria Drive in Rapid City, South Dakota, just a short drive from Black Hills Surgical Hospital and Rapid City Medical Center South. Visitors to the facility commend the staff, noting that they are highly trained and qualified. Also receiving praise is the food, which is created in conjunction with the advice of a nutritionist. The amenities get high marks from guests and include internet service, media facilities and a library where residents can read and relax.
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Located in Rapid City, South Dakota, Morningstar Assisted Living provides its residents with a tranquil neighborhood setting and homelike decor. The Regional Health Rapid City Hospital, Rapid City Med
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Located in Rapid City, South Dakota, Morningstar Assisted Living provides its residents with a tranquil neighborhood setting and homelike decor. The Regional Health Rapid City Hospital, Rapid City Medical Center and Robbinsdale Park are all within a short distance. Visitors enjoy the friendly, upbeat community that makes residents feel welcome and at home. Residents and their family members also appreciate the facility’s clean and comfortable rooms, which include a spacious common area with a fireplace and an on-site salon. Reviewers mention that the grounds of the facility are well-maintained.
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Located in Rapid City, South Dakota, Morningstar Assisted Living provides its residents with a tranquil neighborhood setting and homelike decor. The Regional Health Rapid City Hospital, Rapid City Med
… (read more)
Located in Rapid City, South Dakota, Morningstar Assisted Living provides its residents with a tranquil neighborhood setting and homelike decor. The Regional Health Rapid City Hospital, Rapid City Medical Center and Robbinsdale Park are all within a short distance. Visitors enjoy the friendly, upbeat community that makes residents feel welcome and at home. Residents and their family members also appreciate the facility’s clean and comfortable rooms, which include a spacious common area with a fireplace and an on-site salon. Reviewers mention that the grounds of the facility are well-maintained.
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Earning a Caring Star means this community is among the best Senior Living commuities in America.
COVID-19 Rules for Assisted Living in Rapid City
Since most COVID-19 rules for Assisted Living Communities and other Senior Living Facilities are set at the state level, you can view the specific rules for your state on our Guide to Assisted Living in South Dakota. Keep in mind that every community has specific policies that they put in place to protect their residents, so you should contact your local community for more information. Additionally, you can contact your local Area Agency on Aging to learn more – find contact information here.
What to Consider About Assisted Living in Rapid City
The South Dakota Department of Health, Office of Health Facilities Licensure & Certification, is responsible for licensing assisted living facilities in the state. The office assists in updating state rules for senior care facilities to ensure older adults receive quality care. It also handles complaints about facilities that aren’t meeting the regulations set forth in the certification documentation.
Benefits and Drawbacks of Assisted Living in Rapid City
On a 100-point scale measuring cost of living, Rapid City scores 92.9. Though this is higher than South Dakota as a whole, it’s just below average compared to the United States. Transportation costs, in particular, are low compared to the rest of the country.
Seniors retiring in Rapid City enjoy a pleasant climate year-round. On a 10-point scale indicating how comfortable the weather is, the community scores an extremely high 9.1. Temperatures rarely get above 80, and extremely cold temperatures are uncommon as well. The city has all four seasons, but it rarely experiences high humidity in the summer.
South Dakota has no state income tax, which means retirement income, including Social Security, is tax-free. The state also boasts low sales tax rates. These combine to make it an affordable place for many seniors to retire.
RapidRide has a fixed-route transportation system that makes it easier for older adults to get around town. It also has a Dial-A-Ride door-to-door transit service that provides accessible vehicles for older adults who may not be able to make it to the RapidRide stops or who need assistance to get into or out of the vehicles.
Crime rates are a bit higher in Rapid City than in other parts of the state or nation. Seniors who reside in assisted living facilities can feel secure because of security and safety protocols in these facilities, including cameras, locking doors and monitoring.
Paying for Assisted Living in Rapid City
Assisted living costs in Rapid City will vary depending on the types of services offered and where a community is located within the city. The average cost based on 2021 data is $3,914 a month.
The Cost of Assisted Living in Nearby Cities
Though Rapid City’s average cost for assisted living is lower than the average in the nation of $4,500, it has one of the higher averages in the geographic area. Compared to $3,914 a month in Rapid City, seniors in the state pay even less at $3,350. In Sioux Falls on the opposite end of the state, averages drop even more to $2,910 a month. In Bismark, North Dakota, the average is $3,710 a month. To the south in Grand Island, Nebraska, the average is $2,906 a month.
$3914
Rapid City
$3350
South Dakota
$4500
United States
$2910
Sioux Falls
$3710
Bismark, ND
$2906
Grand Island, NE
The Cost of Other Types of Senior Care
In Rapid City, seniors can expect to pay around $3,914 a month for assisted living. In-home care and home health care, which adds medical care to the basic homemaking tasks of in-home care, are over $2,000 a month higher. Both types of care cost $6,101 on average. Nursing home care is even more at $7,604 for a semiprivate room. Even adult day health care is higher than assisted living, averaging $4,333.
$6101
In-Home Care
$6101
Home Health Care
$4333
Adult Day Health Care
$3914
Assisted Living Facility
$7604
Nursing Home (semiprivate room)
Financial Assistance for Assisted Living in Rapid City
There are limited resources when it comes to financial assistance for assisted living care in the state of South Dakota; however, the South Dakota Medicaid Home and Community-Based Options and Person Centered Excellence Waiver does provide assistance to eligible seniors for care within an assisted living facility. This is not an entitlement program which means that there is a cap to the number of people who may be helped. Eligible seniors may spend time on a wait list before they receive financial assistance.
While many families use their own funds or personal assets to pay for assisted living, there are plenty of additional options to cover these costs. Some additional ways to finance assisted living costs include:
Rapid City has a number of resources available for seniors to help them enjoy their retirement years. These supports are available for little to no cost, using local, state and federal resources to assist older adults within the community.
The Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program assists residents of assisted living communities with advocating for and protecting their rights. The ombudsman also ensures that all facilities follow the state rules and regulations regarding senior care, and the program helps lawmakers pass laws that provide adequate protection to residents of these types of facilities.
The Pennington County Veterans Service Office helps Rapid City veterans access the programs they qualify to receive, including disability claims, survivors' benefits and health care coverage. Some area veterans also qualify to receive pensions. Appointments are available for veterans to learn about these services and get help applying for them.
RapidRide is Rapid City’s fixed-route public transportation system. It offers a senior discount program that provides rides for just 75 cents, half the normal adult fare. Seniors who need to get around town and can't use the transportation service available through their assisted living community can take advantage of this service.
Dakota at Home is the Aging and Disability Resource Center that serves the entire state of South Dakota. Rather than operating individual offices, this ADRC offers a free telephone counseling service for information, referrals and assistance. Dakota at Home also oversees the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program.
The Minneluzahan Senior Citizens Center offers a social setting for seniors in Rapid City. Residents of assisted living communities can visit the community center for activities and classes. It also operates a thrift store.
Assisted Living Laws and Regulations in Rapid City
Rapid City Assisted Living Communities must adhere to the comprehensive set of state laws and regulations that all Assisted Living Facilities in South Dakota are required to follow. Visit our Assisted Living in South Dakota page for more information about these laws.
Both my parents and my aunt lived at Morningstar for several years. This is an amazing place!! The staff is very loving, patient and genuinely care for all their residents. They provide excellent f...
Read more
Review of The Village at Skyline Pines
My mother moved into The Village at Skyline Pines last Thursday. We chose it for a variety of reasons. We ended up knowing a lot of the care providers, and they knew my mom. They welcomed her, and ...
Read more
Review of Fairmont Grand Senior Living
I went to Fairmont Grand Senior Living. I did not care for it. It just wasn't the right place for my mom. The staff was very nice. I believe they have activities and some amenities. The studio apar...
Read more
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_[Inde...
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