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What is the true monthly cost of living in an RV? After living in an RV full-time since 2016, I’ve learned that the answer varies greatly based on the type of RV lifestyle you choose. If you plan to boondock full-time and cook all of your meals, you can live very cheaply in an RV. On the other hand, if you stay at upscale resorts and dine out often, RV living could cost more than a stationary lifestyle.
Below, I outline all of the potential costs associated with RV living so you can calculate your required budget. To make the process even easier, I have created an RV Living Cost Calculator so you can easily add up your annual full-time RV budget.
Contents
Rent and Vehicle Costs
When calculating the monthly cost of living in an RV, the largest expenses you will incur as a full-time RVer are your vehicles and places to park them.
Campground Rent
Personally, the fee for campsites is currently our largest expense in our monthly cost of living in an RV. It is also the most variable expense among RVers. Many RVers pursuing cheaper expenses, boondock for free, while others pay up to $2000 a month to stay at resorts in great locations.
Most private RV parks charge at least $40 per night, while state parks and COE campgrounds offer more affordable RV site. We personally budget an average of $1000 per month for rent. The actual amount we pay in rent varies by month, but typically ranges from $500 to $1500.
If you are going to boondock, there will not be any rent, but you should consider the other expenses that may be required. These could include dump station fees ($5-$20 per dump), a composting toilet (around $1000) and generators or solar panels ($1000 or more). I also include fees for RV memberships, like Thousand Trails, into our rent budget.
RV and Truck Maintenance and Repairs
Again, this expense varies greatly depending on the age and type of your RV. We personally budget $250 per month ($3000 per year) for regular service and unexpected repairs. When not used, our monthly repair budget is put into our savings account.
When calculating the monthly cost of RV living, include an annual inspection and an absolute minimum of $2000 for unexpected repairs. I recommend budgeting more in the first year or two, and then this line item can be reduced once you have built savings.
You also need to budget for lodging costs. When your home on wheels is in the shop for repairs, you will need somewhere to sleep. We try to schedule non-urgent repairs for times when we can stay with friends or family.
Still, we typically stay in a hotel 1 to 2 nights each year when unexpected repairs are required. We also try to limit our repair expenses by always trying to complete repairs ourselves before taking it to a shop.
Whether you buy a new or used RV, an extended warranty can help offset repair costs. We purchased an extended RV warranty from Wholesale Warranties because of their superior customer service.
RV and Tow Vehicle Payments
If you financed your RV and/or tow vehicle, you will need to include these payments in your monthly RV living budget. Ideally, you would put as large of a down payment as possible to lower your monthly cost of living in an RV.
We sold our house and the majority of our possessions, which allowed us pay off our RV loan quickly.
RV and Tow Vehicle Insurance
I highly recommend shopping around before choosing an insurance plan, as the company who offered you the best price for homeowners or renters insurance does not necessarily have the best plan for you new coverage needs.
We are domiciled in Florida and we are currently insured through Progressive. Progressive had the best rates for us and offered full-time RV insurance for our travel trailer. Vehicle insurance in Florida is significantly more expensive than in our previous home state of North Carolina. Consider insurance costs and taxes before moving your residence for RV life.
Your tow vehicle insurance may cover your fifth wheel or travel trailer while driving, so make sure you confirm coverage and don’t pay extra for collision insurance on a trailer.
RV and Tow Vehicle Registration and Taxes
Full-time RVers should also consider annual taxes and registration fees for their vehicles. The amount for these fees will vary by state and the types of vehicles you own.
Fuel
Diesel for our tow truck currently costs us between $500 to $1000 per month. The cost varies greatly depending on where we are in the country and how much we are traveling. When setting a fuel budget, over-estimate costs as there is always a chance prices will rise. Use our RV Fuel Cost Calculator to help accurately determine your monthly fuel costs.
Monthly Cost of RV Living
In addition to the major expenses that contribute to the monthly cost of living in an RV, there are also several small items to account for.
Propane
You will need propane for heat and cooking in your RV. The average price to refill both of our 20-pound tanks is typically around $40. We tend to stay in warmer climates, so we only budget for a single refill each month. Budget for multiple refills, if you will be using the heat regularly.
Laundry
We don’t have a washer/dryer in our RV, so we do all of our laundry at RV parks or laundromats. It typically costs $4 to $8 per load and we do about two loads per week for a monthly cost of about $50. If you have kids, you probably want to budget more for laundry or buy an RV with laundry appliances.
Mail and Postage
If you sign-up for a mailing forwarding service, you should expect to spend about $15-$30 per month when you take into account the annual fees and additional postage costs.
RV Supplies
You will need to buy new water filters and black tank treatment every 2 to 3 months, so budget about $20 a month for these expenses. See our list of absolutely essential RV camping supplies for more details.
Storage Units
If you plan to keep furniture and other possessions from your home, you will also need to budget for a storage unit. If you do decide to rent a storage unit, the typical cost is $50-$300 per month depending on the size.
Mobile Internet
If you work from a computer, the easiest ways to connect are mobile hotspots or Starlink satellites. Both options have monthly fees and Starlink requires an upfront equipment purchase.
Experiences
You don’t move into an RV to sit around the campsite, so you will need an exploration budget. Of course, the will vary depending on your hobbies and interests. Personally, we budget about $100 a month for outdoor activities like state park fees and kayak rentals.
We also budget a bit more for eating out than we did in our stationary home as there are cool, new restaurants and bars to try at every destination.
We love live music and we have attended significantly more concerts since moving into the RV, so we devote a good portion of our experiences and entertainment budget to these events.
When setting your budget, think about what your must have experiences are at each destination and budget accordingly. If you spend more on live entertainment one month, cut the restaurant budget back to help stay on track.
Health Insurance
Health insurance is a major expense for most full-time RVers, especially those who are self-employed. Learn about health insurance options for full-time travelers, and research your premium and deductible options before creating an RV living budget.
Standard Monthly Cost of Living in an RV
There are several common expenses including groceries, clothing, pet supplies and personal care that I have not included in the monthly cost of living in an RV. Overall, we have found that these expenses are no different for a nomad than they would be for anyone else.
Look at what you spend now, and budget the same amount unless you have made a real commitment to cut back in certain areas like clothing. If you are planning to reduce everyday costs, test yourself before moving into the RV to ensure you are being realistic.
Expenses to Remove from your Budget
Once you’ve added everything up and calculated the monthly cost of living in an RV, you will quickly realize that full-time RVing isn’t necessarily cheap. The good news is there are also several expenses from your stationary life that you no longer need to pay. These include:
- Utilities: Electricity and water are typically included in your campsite rent.
- Cable: Some RVers do purchase satellite dishes and plans, but you can use your RV’s antenna to get free TV.
- Stuff: When you live in a tiny space, you can’t buy cute stuff from Target every time you go shopping. Plan to reduce your décor, fashion and impulse purchases when living in an RV.
- Mortgage, Property Taxes and Home Insurance: If you owned a home before moving into the RV, you can expect to pay less in taxes, insurance and repairs than typically required for a house.
The monthly cost of living in an RV varies as much as the budgets of people in any community. The important things are to be prepared and be realistic.
Consider how much money you will bring in each month and how much you are willing to cut back on expenditures. Knowing your finances are in order will allow you to relax and enjoy your new lifestyle.
Happy Camping!
Christina Pate is a seasoned full-time RVer who, along with her husband Justin, has journeyed across the US, Canada, and Mexico. Drawing from her extensive travels, RV repairs and RV renovations, she founded Travels with Ted to guide and inspire fellow RV enthusiasts. Christina is also the co-author of The Owner’s Guide to RV Maintenance and the creator of My RV Log Book.
