If you're considering full-time RVing, you are probably wondering what to expect financially. How much does it cost to live in an RV? Is it more or less than living in a traditional house? It can be tough to estimate exactly how much money you'll need to make the leap, but we're here to help.
In this post, we'll break down the common expenses associated with full-time RVing and give you an idea of what to expect. Keep in mind that everyone's budget will be different, so use this information as a general guide and tailor it to fit your needs. Ready to get started? Let's go!
Guest Post by TheAdventureDetour
Is Full-Time RVing A Cheap Lifestyle?
RVing is often thought of as a cheaper alternative to traditional living arrangements, but is it really? RVing does have some definite advantages when it comes to cost. For one thing, you don't have to pay for rent or a mortgage. You also usually don't have to pay for utilities, and can often save on gas by RV camping in one location for an extended period of time.
RVing can also be a great way to travel without having to pay for hotels or other accommodations. However, RV maintenance and repairs can be expensive, and you need to purchase special RV insurance for full-time RVing. RV living can be cheaper than traditional living arrangements, but it's not necessarily a cheap lifestyle.
Travel Factors that Affect Full-Time RVing Costs
RV costs vary widely depending on how you like to travel. For example, an RVer that primarily dry camps for free on federal land only travels within one state, and enjoys free outdoor nature activities, will have a much cheaper RV cost of living than an RVer that stays in private RV campgrounds, travels long distances across the country, and enjoys paid activities or excursions.
We have seen monthly full-time RVer budgets anywhere from $1,800 per month to over $5,200. It really depends on how an RVer chooses to travel. Our full-time RVing family of three averages a monthly cost of $4,300. Each month is very different though depending on our pace and distance of travel, staying at membership campgrounds versus private campgrounds, repairs needed, medical needs, and cost of activities in each location.
Typical Monthly RV Living Expense Items
The best way to get an idea of what the full-time RV living lifestyle will cost you per month is to break down the common expense items into fixed expenses and variable expenses. Fixed items are the same each month, while variable expenses change depending on your travels. Variable items are also an easier place to cut costs in your budget when needed.
Some of these items may already be part of your regular expenses living in a house, but others are specific to RV living. I will also give you an idea of what we spend on each expense category per month, but your specific situation may be very different depending on how you choose to travel in your RV. This post is just to provide a general idea about full-time RVing costs.
Common Fixed Monthly RV Living Expenses
Loans and Debt
This includes mortgages, vehicle payments, RV payments, credit cards, child support, or any other monthly payments you may have. Many RVers find it helpful to reduce this category as much as possible before starting full-time RVing. (We own our RV and truck. Loans $0)
RV and Vehicle Insurance
I can't stress enough how important it is to have a full-time RV insurance policy to have the protection you need for RV living. Also, consider the RV contents coverage on the policy since so much of what you own may be with you in the RV. (We have a full-time RV policy with Progressive with added coverage for personal contents and extra emergency hotel coverage. RV Insurance $101 Truck Insurance $146).
RV and Vehicle Registration
You will have a registration fee that is often yearly but varies by the state you choose as your domicile. (Our truck and RV are $170 per year.)
Roadside Assistance
This is a very helpful service to have as a full-time RVer since you are spending so much time on the road. Some RVers have separate roadside plans. (Ours is included in our RV and truck insurance above.)
Health Insurance
Some RVers are able to keep the same health insurance they had living in their home. While others must get new plans that work well across the country. This expense varies widely. (We use Liberty Healthshare which is $300 per month.)
Cell Phones/Internet/TV
Staying connected on the road is important to most RVers. So is the internet for entertainment, work, or school. This category may also include streaming services or RV satellite television. (We have two Verizon phones that we also use as hotspots for $186 per month.)
Monthly Medications or Supplements
Many people and pets take monthly medications or supplements. This is another expense that varies widely. (We have special medical needs that require supplement costs of around $350 or more per month.)
Mail Service
Many full-time RVers sign up with mail services to establish domicile and accept mail or packages. There is usually an annual or monthly fee for this service. (We use Escapees which is $91 a year and postage varies per month.)
Camping Memberships and Subscriptions
Many people have memberships or subscriptions with monthly costs or annual costs. RV camping memberships can often be broken into monthly payments. (We own a Thousand Trails membership but pay the annual dues monthly of $77.)
Common Variable Monthly RV Living Expenses
Gas
The gas required for the RVs, vehicles, and generators varies quite a bit by how often and far RVers travel. Prices also vary across the country. This is a category where large savings can be found by traveling slowly or within one state or location. (We are currently staying within Florida and spend around $350 per month.)
Tolls
Some states have toll highways and driving your RV on toll roads can add up quickly. (We have spent $0-$40 per month on tolls.)
Maintenance and Repairs
Keeping up with RV maintenance really helps to prevent large future RV repairs. Doing a little bit of maintenance each month is helpful. This category also includes the hardware store or any tools needed. (We budget $200 a month in this category.)
Propane
Propane is used in RV living for cooking, running the refrigerator when not on electric hookups, and for heat. Some full-time RVers really go through propane while others that stay in warm climates hardly use any. (We use propane rarely but in the months we have to fill it, the cost is about $35.)
Camping Accommodations
This category can vary from free to a couple of thousand dollars a month. It really depends on where you like to stay and for how long. Boondocking and membership campgrounds can be the cheapest option. While private campgrounds or RV resorts can be the most expensive. (We mostly camp in membership campgrounds and state parks for an average of $350 per month.)
Water Filling and Tank Dumping
If you are boondocking or dry camping, you will sometimes have to pay to fill fresh tanks and dump your black and gray tanks. (Filling fresh tanks can average $0-$10 and dumping can average $25.)
Entertainment and Activities
This category could be very cheap or extremely expensive depending on how many paid activities you enjoy during your travels. (We do some paid activities but also enjoy many free and cheap outdoor experiences. Our activities average about $100 a month.)
Eating Out
Many people tend to eat out much more when traveling and this could be a large expense. (We have food allergies and don't eat out much, spending only about $100 a month.)
Groceries
Food prices are very different in certain areas of the country. If you are used to buying food at discount chains like Costco, Aldi's, Trader Joe's, or Sams Club, these may not be available in certain areas as you travel. Allowing a little extra room in your grocery bill is helpful as you travel. (We are organic and gluten-free which makes our groceries ridiculously high. We average $1,300 a month on groceries.)
Laundry
Some RVs have their own washer and dryer on board which either eliminates this category or keeps it low. Even if you have your own machines as we do, it's helpful to use public washers to wash bulky items like bedding or when camping with no hookups. Laundry prices vary but we have found the average load is around $5. (When we don't have hookups, we spend about $40 a month.)
Mail or Postage
Some campgrounds receive packages for you for free but others charge per package or piece of mail. This category also includes postage used for a mail service to send mail or packages to your location. (Our average for mail is about $25.)
Medical Needs
Appointments and non-maintenance prescriptions fall into this category for both people and pets. Dental and medical appointments not covered by insurance or that have a copay create this monthly expense. (We have some zero months but average about $100 for medical).
Personal Items
Personal items like clothing, shoes, toiletries, or anything else that doesn't fit into another category can be in this expense category. (We often spend about $300 a month on personal items.)
School or Business Expenses
If you homeschool or have your own business on the road, then you will often have some extra expenses. (We do both. We average about $50 a month in homeschool books/supplies and $150 in business expenses.)
Hopefully, this article has given you a better idea of what to expect if you take the plunge into this unique lifestyle. The cost of RV living varies widely depending on your travel style and preferences, but there are some general expenses that all full-timers have in common. By understanding these fixed and variable costs, you can start to create a budget that works for your specific needs.
La Mesa has the RV selection to fit your travel needs, including the perfect rigs for full-time RVing. Bring your RV wishlist and find your RV today!
Scott, his wife Van, and their 12-year-old daughter Sissy have traveled full-time in their RV for 7 years. They have worked and homeschooled on the road through 42 states so far. They blog about RVing tips, travel destinations, and the full-time RV lifestyle on their blog, TheAdventureDetour. They are also RV content creators @theadventuredetour on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook. They love connecting with RVers so be sure to reach out to them and say hi!
