Van Life

Is Van Life Cheaper?

By Chelsea Gonzales

January 24, 2023

More and more people are choosing van life. Many are asking: Is van life cheaper than renting or owning a house or apartment?

The answer, of course, is that it totally depends. As with a more traditional lifestyle, the cost of day-to-day living is really up to you, for the most part.

Van Payments The most obvious expense of van living is the van's cost and camping fees.

Costs to Consider

Insurance Most van lifers with converted vans stick to traditional auto insurance. But it only covers the van itself, not the build.

Costs to Consider

If you want coverage on the build, or if you go with a class B RV, you will have to invest in RV insurance.

Costs to Consider

Fuel Fuel is another cost to consider. If you plan to stay in one area this cost will likely be relatively low.

Costs to Consider

Internet There are various ways to stay connected on the road, but each has an associated cost that must be factored in.

Costs to Consider

Food Restaurants are a great way to experience a new place, but when you’re living out of a van, it can be all too tempting to eat out often.

Costs to Consider

Hygiene Most vans don’t have space for a full-fledged shower, meaning you’ll need to find a place to clean up regularly.

Costs to Consider

Fortunately, there are places to do this. Gyms, truck stops, public pools, and campgrounds all have showers that van lifers can pay to use.

Costs to Consider

Repairs and Maintenance Things can and will break on your van. Additionally, there are certain maintenance tasks that you will need to keep up with.

Costs to Consider

Sightseeing Lastly, you must keep the cost of sightseeing in mind when planning your van life budget.

Costs to Consider

Well, it totally can be, but it can also be a surprisingly expensive. That said, van life is usually cheaper overall than renting a place.

Is Vanlife Cheaper?

Get an in-depth look with the extended article version on Vanlifers