Best counties to retire to in South Dakota

Written by:
July 31, 2022
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Best counties to retire to in South Dakota

Buyers and sellers of real estate alike—when asked what are the three most essential considerations about a property—will nearly always reply "location, location, location." While this answer is sometimes tongue-in-cheek, it is often quite accurate, and this reply perhaps applies to retirees more than any other demographic. Settling down after a lifetime of working and perhaps raising a family calls for the perfect location: a spot where you can enjoy life with as few concerns as possible.

When seniors aged 65 years or older decide on where they want to live out their golden years, they consider very specific factors, such as the cost of living, government services, health care facilities, weather and overall climate, crime rate, outdoor recreational activities, eating establishments, cultural and entertainment opportunities, and more.

Stacker compiled a list of the best counties to retire in South Dakota using data from Niche. Niche ranks counties based on a variety of factors including cost of living, healthcare, recreation and weather. Read more about Niche's methodology here.

Location is critical as retirees determine where to spend their senior years enjoying favorite activities; however, it's a very unique decision based on a multitude of preferences and needs. Whether it be bustling downtowns or access to parks, affordable home prices or cultural amenities like museums, retirees seeking to settle in a permanent spot are sure to find a private paradise in any of these counties recommended by Niche because, in the end, there is no place like home—no matter the location.

Read on to discover the best counties to retire to in South Dakota.

#19. Davison County

- Niche grades: good for retirees (B), cost of living (B), weather (C), outdoor activities (C-)
- Top places to live: Mitchell (B+), Mount Vernon (B-), Ethan (B-)

#18. Bon Homme County

- Niche grades: good for retirees (B), cost of living (A), weather (not available), outdoor activities (D)
- Top places to live: Avon (B+), Springfield (B+), Scotland (B)

#17. Moody County

- Niche grades: good for retirees (B), cost of living (A-), weather (C+), outdoor activities (C-)
- Top places to live: Flandreau (B+), Fremont Township (B), Riverview Township (B-)

#16. Yankton County

- Niche grades: good for retirees (B), cost of living (A-), weather (C+), outdoor activities (C+)
- Top places to live: Yankton (B+), Walshtown Township (B+), Mission Hill Township (B+)

#15. Brule County

- Niche grades: good for retirees (B), cost of living (A-), weather (C), outdoor activities (C+)
- Top places to live: Chamberlain (B+), Chamberlain Township (B+), Kimball (B+)

#14. Pennington County

- Niche grades: good for retirees (B), cost of living (B-), weather (B-), outdoor activities (A-)
- Top places to live: Colonial Pine Hills (A-), Rapid City (B+), Green Valley (B+)

#13. Day County

- Niche grades: good for retirees (B), cost of living (A-), weather (C), outdoor activities (C+)
- Top places to live: Webster (B), Roslyn (B), Bristol (B)

#12. Lincoln County

- Niche grades: good for retirees (B), cost of living (B), weather (B-), outdoor activities (B-)
- Top places to live: Harrisburg (A-), Tea (B+), Canton (B)

#11. Union County

- Niche grades: good for retirees (B), cost of living (B+), weather (B-), outdoor activities (B-)
- Top places to live: Dakota Dunes (A), North Sioux City (B), Big Sioux Township (A)

#10. Turner County

- Niche grades: good for retirees (B), cost of living (A-), weather (C), outdoor activities (C-)
- Top places to live: Swan Lake Township (B+), Centerville (B+), Marion Township (B+)

#9. Lawrence County

- Niche grades: good for retirees (B+), cost of living (B-), weather (C-), outdoor activities (B-)
- Top places to live: Spearfish (B+), Deadwood (B), Lead (B-)

#8. Custer County

- Niche grades: good for retirees (B+), cost of living (B), weather (A), outdoor activities (A-)
- Top places to live: Hermosa (B+), Custer (B), Pringle (C)

#7. Walworth County

- Niche grades: good for retirees (A-), cost of living (A-), weather (not available), outdoor activities (D+)
- Top places to live: Mobridge (A-), Selby (B+), Java (B)

#6. McCook County

- Niche grades: good for retirees (A-), cost of living (A-), weather (C), outdoor activities (C-)
- Top places to live: Grant Township (A-), Canistota (A-), Montrose (B)

#5. Grant County

- Niche grades: good for retirees (A-), cost of living (A-), weather (C-), outdoor activities (C-)
- Top places to live: Milbank (B), Stockholm (B), Big Stone City (B)

#4. Tripp County

- Niche grades: good for retirees (A-), cost of living (A), weather (C), outdoor activities (C)
- Top places to live: Winner (B), Colome (B+), Lamro Township (B-)

#3. Lake County

- Niche grades: good for retirees (A-), cost of living (A-), weather (C), outdoor activities (C-)
- Top places to live: Madison (A-), Lake View Township (B+), Herman Township (B+)

#2. Fall River County

- Niche grades: good for retirees (A-), cost of living (A-), weather (C), outdoor activities (B+)
- Top places to live: Hot Springs (B), Oelrichs (B), Edgemont (C+)

#1. Hutchinson County

- Niche grades: good for retirees (A), cost of living (A), weather (C), outdoor activities (C)
- Top places to live: Parkston (A), Molan Township (A-), Freeman (A-)

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