When considering where to spend your retirement years, numerous factors come into play that can significantly impact your quality of life. Our comprehensive analysis examines five key criteria that determine a community’s retirement-friendliness: overall retirement score, walkability, urban sophistication (cultural amenities), vibrancy, and transit accessibility. The Overall Retirement Score has many criteria baked into it, providing a holistic view of each location’s suitability for retirees.
Every score presented in this ranking is based on extensive real-world data collection and surveys from residents who experience these communities daily. This is not subjective opinion but data-driven analysis of South Dakota’s worst towns for retirees.
Here’s the list.
19. McLaughlin – Wakpala
Here are the key scores for this town:
- Overall Retirement Score: 52.94
- Walkability: 7.03
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 10.10
- Vibrant Score: 5.13
- Transit-Friendly: 0.00
About McLaughlin – Wakpala
McLaughlin – Wakpala has the 19th lowest retirement score in South Dakota at 52.94. The area struggles significantly with walkability and urban amenities, scoring just 7.03 and 10.10 respectively. The vibrant score of 5.13 indicates minimal social and entertainment options, while the complete absence of public transportation options is reflected in the transit-friendly score of 0. The median home price information is not available in our dataset.
18. South Shore
Here are the key scores for this town:
- Overall Retirement Score: 51.33
- Walkability: 12.93
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 55.52
- Vibrant Score: 4.15
- Transit-Friendly: 0.00
About South Shore
South Shore ranks as the 18th worst retirement town with a score of 51.33. While it offers a moderate level of urban sophistication at 55.52, the town scores poorly on walkability (12.93) and has an extremely low vibrant score of 4.15. There is no public transportation available, as indicated by the transit-friendly score of 0. The median home price for South Shore is not available in our data.
17. Belle Fourche
Here are the key scores for this town:
- Overall Retirement Score: 50.48
- Walkability: 28.98
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 29.68
- Vibrant Score: 35.05
- Transit-Friendly: 1.25
About Belle Fourche
Belle Fourche has a retirement score of 50.48, placing it 17th on our list. The town has limited walkability (28.98) and modest urban amenities (29.68). Its vibrant score of 35.05 is higher than many towns on this list but still indicates limited social and entertainment options. Public transportation is virtually non-existent with a score of just 1.25. The median home price for Belle Fourche is not available in our data.
16. Vermillion
Here are the key scores for this town:
- Overall Retirement Score: 49.71
- Walkability: 51.26
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 36.52
- Vibrant Score: 62.25
- Transit-Friendly: 26.40
About Vermillion
Vermillion ranks 16th with a retirement score of 49.71. As a university town, it offers better walkability (51.26) and vibrancy (62.25) than many other communities on this list. It also has the highest transit-friendly score (26.40) of any town in our top 19 and moderate urban sophistication (36.52). The median home price for Vermillion is not available in our dataset.
15. Florence – Henry
Here are the key scores for this town:
- Overall Retirement Score: 49.42
- Walkability: 17.07
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 49.75
- Vibrant Score: 0.48
- Transit-Friendly: 0.00
About Florence – Henry
Florence – Henry ranks 15th with a retirement score of 49.42. The area offers moderate urban sophistication (49.75) but has poor walkability (17.07) and an extremely low vibrant score (0.48), indicating almost no social or entertainment options. There is no public transportation available. The median home price information is not available in our dataset.
14. Pine Ridge
Here are the key scores for this town:
- Overall Retirement Score: 48.89
- Walkability: 3.30
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 3.63
- Vibrant Score: 8.68
- Transit-Friendly: 0.00
About Pine Ridge
Pine Ridge ranks 14th with a retirement score of 48.89. Located on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, this community faces significant challenges with extremely poor walkability (3.30), very limited urban amenities (3.63), and few social or entertainment options (8.68). There is no public transportation available. The median home price information is not available in our dataset.
13. Rapid City
Here are the key scores for this town:
- Overall Retirement Score: 48.68
- Walkability: 48.35
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 42.00
- Vibrant Score: 56.39
- Transit-Friendly: 11.34
About Rapid City
Rapid City ranks 13th with a retirement score of 48.68. As one of South Dakota’s largest cities, it offers moderate walkability (48.35), decent urban amenities (42.00), and above-average vibrancy (56.39). Public transportation options are limited (11.34) but better than many other locations on this list. The median home price information is not available in our dataset.
12. Oglala – Porcupine
Here are the key scores for this town:
- Overall Retirement Score: 48.54
- Walkability: 5.76
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 1.29
- Vibrant Score: 10.18
- Transit-Friendly: 13.93
About Oglala – Porcupine
Oglala – Porcupine ranks 12th with a retirement score of 48.54. Located within the Pine Ridge Reservation, this area has extremely poor walkability (5.76) and almost no urban amenities (1.29). Social and entertainment options are very limited (10.18), though it does offer some transportation services (13.93). The median home price data is not available in our dataset.
11. Rosebud – St. Francis
Here are the key scores for this town:
- Overall Retirement Score: 48.38
- Walkability: 2.47
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 1.45
- Vibrant Score: 12.13
- Transit-Friendly: 0.00
About Rosebud – St. Francis
Rosebud – St. Francis ranks 11th with a retirement score of 48.38. Located on the Rosebud Indian Reservation, these communities have extremely poor walkability (2.47) and almost no urban amenities (1.45). The vibrant score (12.13) indicates very limited social and entertainment options, and there is no public transportation available. The median home price information is not available in our dataset.
10. Tea
Here are the key scores for this town:
- Overall Retirement Score: 47.91
- Walkability: 13.94
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 68.09
- Vibrant Score: 31.49
- Transit-Friendly: 0.00
About Tea
Tea ranks 10th with a retirement score of 47.91. A suburb of Sioux Falls, Tea has poor walkability (13.94) despite relatively good urban amenities (68.09). The vibrant score is moderate (31.49), and there is no public transportation available. The median home price information is not available in our dataset.
9. Caputa
Here are the key scores for this town:
- Overall Retirement Score: 46.20
- Walkability: 5.46
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 49.99
- Vibrant Score: 1.34
- Transit-Friendly: 0.00
About Caputa
Caputa ranks 9th with a retirement score of 46.20. This small community near Rapid City offers decent urban amenities (49.99) but has extremely poor walkability (5.46). The vibrant score is nearly non-existent (1.34), and there is no public transportation available. The median home price information is not available in our dataset.
8. Martin
Here are the key scores for this town:
- Overall Retirement Score: 45.61
- Walkability: 33.77
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 29.39
- Vibrant Score: 25.21
- Transit-Friendly: 0.00
About Martin
Martin ranks 8th with a retirement score of 45.61. This small community offers limited walkability (33.77), modest urban amenities (29.39), and minimal social or entertainment options (25.21). There is no public transportation available. The median home price information is not available in our dataset.
7. Sioux Falls
Here are the key scores for this town:
- Overall Retirement Score: 45.30
- Walkability: 53.62
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 54.28
- Vibrant Score: 65.01
- Transit-Friendly: 18.72
About Sioux Falls
Sioux Falls ranks 7th with a retirement score of 45.30. As South Dakota’s largest city, it offers moderate walkability (53.62), good urban amenities (54.28), and excellent vibrancy (65.01) compared to other locations on this list. Public transportation options are limited (18.72) but better than in most South Dakota communities. The median home price information is not available in our dataset.
6. Watertown
Here are the key scores for this town:
- Overall Retirement Score: 42.88
- Walkability: 56.17
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 32.90
- Vibrant Score: 59.38
- Transit-Friendly: 5.14
About Watertown
Watertown ranks 6th with a retirement score of 42.88. The city offers relatively good walkability (56.17) and decent vibrancy (59.38), but only modest urban amenities (32.90). Public transportation options are very limited (5.14). The median home price information is not available in our dataset.
5. Wagner
Here are the key scores for this town:
- Overall Retirement Score: 40.18
- Walkability: 19.77
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 33.54
- Vibrant Score: 10.85
- Transit-Friendly: 10.78
About Wagner
Wagner ranks 5th with a retirement score of 40.18. This small community offers poor walkability (19.77), limited urban amenities (33.54), and very few social or entertainment options (10.85). Public transportation is minimal (10.78). The median home price information is not available in our dataset.
4. Harrisburg
Here are the key scores for this town:
- Overall Retirement Score: 37.92
- Walkability: 34.95
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 75.75
- Vibrant Score: 27.01
- Transit-Friendly: 0.00
About Harrisburg
Harrisburg ranks 4th with a retirement score of 37.92. A growing suburb of Sioux Falls, Harrisburg surprisingly scores high on urban sophistication (75.75), but has poor walkability (34.95), limited vibrancy (27.01), and no public transportation. The median home price information is not available in our dataset.
3. Kyle
Here are the key scores for this town:
- Overall Retirement Score: 31.78
- Walkability: 3.57
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 0.78
- Vibrant Score: 10.47
- Transit-Friendly: 0.00
About Kyle
Kyle ranks 3rd with a retirement score of 31.78. Located on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, Kyle has extremely poor walkability (3.57) and almost no urban amenities (0.78). Social and entertainment options are very limited (10.47), and there is no public transportation available. The median home price information is not available in our dataset.
2. Box Elder
Here are the key scores for this town:
- Overall Retirement Score: 25.82
- Walkability: 9.90
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 21.16
- Vibrant Score: 33.51
- Transit-Friendly: 0.00
About Box Elder
Box Elder ranks 2nd with a retirement score of 25.82. Located near Rapid City and Ellsworth Air Force Base, the town has very poor walkability (9.90), limited urban amenities (21.16), and modest vibrancy (33.51). There is no public transportation available. The median home price information is not available in our dataset.
1. Lower Brule
Here are the key scores for this town:
- Overall Retirement Score: 17.65
- Walkability: 1.87
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 1.15
- Vibrant Score: 5.50
- Transit-Friendly: 6.83
About Lower Brule
Lower Brule ranks as the #1 worst town for retirement in South Dakota with a score of just 17.65. Located on the Lower Brule Indian Reservation, the community has extremely poor walkability (1.87), almost no urban amenities (1.15), and very few social or entertainment options (5.50). Public transportation is minimal (6.83). The median home price information is not available in our dataset.
Definition of terms:
- Overall Retirement Score: A comprehensive metric (scale 1-100) that combines multiple factors to evaluate a town’s retirement-friendliness, including healthcare access, cost of living, community services, climate, and safety.
- Walkability: Measures how easily residents can navigate a community on foot, reflecting sidewalk quality, distance to essential services, and pedestrian safety. This factor is crucial for seniors who may eventually give up driving.
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): Quantifies the availability of cultural experiences, educational opportunities, dining options, and entertainment venues. These amenities contribute significantly to quality of life and intellectual stimulation during retirement.
- Vibrant Score: Assesses the level of community engagement, social opportunities, and overall energy of a location. Higher scores indicate active communities with numerous opportunities for retirees to form connections and avoid isolation.
- Transit-Friendly: Evaluates public transportation options and accessibility, essential for retirees who don’t drive or prefer not to. Good transit systems provide independence and mobility for seniors.
References:
In addition to our proprietary data, we used the following for the median home price information:
