ElderCarePeek

South Dakota vs West Virginia: Senior Care Cost Comparison (2026)

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

South Dakota

$8,304/mo

Nursing home (private room)

Senior population: 17.2%

West Virginia

$10,068/mo

Nursing home (private room)

Senior population: 20.5%

Which State is More Affordable for Senior Care?

South Dakota has lower nursing home costs by $1,764/month ($21,168/year). Over 5 years, that's a difference of $105,840.

Detailed Cost Comparison

Care TypeSouth DakotaWest VirginiaDifference
Nursing Home (Private)$8,304/mo$10,068/mo$1,764
Nursing Home (Semi-Private)$7,452/mo$9,050/mo$1,598
Assisted Living$4,000/mo$4,250/mo$250
Home Health Aide$26.00/hr$22.00/hr+$4.00
Adult Day Care$1,517/mo$1,517/mo$0
Homemaker Services$24.00/hr$20.00/hr+$4.00

Annual Cost Comparison

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

West Virginia Annual Costs

Nursing Home (Private)$120,816/yr
Assisted Living$51,000/yr
Home Health Aide (8hr/day)$46,464/yr
Adult Day Care$18,204/yr

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Frequently Asked Questions

Which state has cheaper nursing homes: South Dakota or West Virginia?
South Dakota has lower nursing home costs. South Dakota averages $8,304/month while West Virginia averages $10,068/month, a difference of $1,764/month.
How do assisted living costs compare between South Dakota and West Virginia?
Assisted living in South Dakota costs $4,000/month compared to $4,250/month in West Virginia.
What about home health aide costs?
Home health aides charge $26.00/hour in South Dakota and $22.00/hour in West Virginia.
Which state has better Medicaid coverage for senior care?
Both states offer Medicaid coverage for nursing home care. South Dakota: South Dakota Medicaid covers nursing facilities. HOPE waiver for community-based alternatives.... West Virginia: West Virginia Medicaid covers nursing home care. Aged and Disabled waiver for community services....

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