Is Full-Time RV Life Actually Cheaper Than a House?

The honest truth from a full-time family who’s been living it for four years.

When people find out we live in an RV full-time, one of the first questions we get is:

“So… is it cheaper than living in a house?”

And the truth?
Not at first.

There’s this idea floating around that RV life is this ultra-affordable, minimalist dream — and while some parts of that are true, there’s a lot more to the story.

The Upfront Costs Are No Joke

First, there’s the truck. Then the RV. And then the RV products you didn’t even know you needed — surge protectors, sewer hoses, water filters, solar panels, leveling blocks, air flow systems, and so on.

Plus, most new RVers (ourselves included) fall into vacation mode during that first year. You’re so excited, you start booking back-to-back destinations, sightseeing daily, eating out often, and treating every day like you’re on holiday.

That excitement adds up — quickly.

Travel Faster, Spend More

The faster you move, the more expensive RV life becomes. Between:

Fuel costs
Nightly campground rates
Activity fees
Take-out dinners because you’re too tired to cook

…it starts to feel less like saving and more like spending differently.

And unlike a house, every time you move your RV, you’re basically subjecting it to a mini-earthquake. Things break. Maintenance happens — and usually when you’re least expecting it.

Campground Fees vs. Utilities

Sure, you’re not paying property taxes or utility bills like electric, water, or trash. But unless you’re fully boondocking (off-grid camping), you’re still paying for a place to stay.

Campgrounds: $30–$100+/night
State Parks: $25–$50/night
Monthly stays: $600–$1,200/month
Thousand Trails membership: A big upfront cost, but can reduce long-term campground fees if used wisely.

So instead of utility bills and HOA fees, you’re just swapping in new expenses — and they can add up if you don’t plan ahead.

Groceries, Insurance & Other Costs

Groceries cost about the same as in a house — but you’re limited on space. You can’t stock up at Costco the same way, which means more frequent stops and smaller portions.

RV insurance can be pricey too (especially full-time policies), and you still need health insurance or a health share program. On the upside? No property tax, fewer home maintenance costs, and no yard to mow.

When It Can Be Cheaper

Here’s when RV life starts to tip the scale toward being more affordable:

✅ When your truck or RV is paid off
✅ When you slow down your travel pace
✅ When you opt for monthly stays instead of nightly
✅ When you utilize discount programs or memberships
✅ When you stop eating out and start cooking more meals
✅ When you get past the trial-and-error phase of gear and gadgets

Eventually, those big startup costs fade, your travel rhythm evens out, and you figure out what actually brings you joy on the road — and what’s just feeding your FOMO.

So… Is It Cheaper?

It’s not always cheaper.
But it can be — if you do it intentionally.

For our family, RV life was never just about saving money. It was about buying freedom with the way we spend our time — not just our dollars. And in that way, it’s been worth every penny.