The Real Cost of Full-Time RV Living: Tim Eagle's 2024 vs. 2025 Comparison
- Tim Eagle
- Dec 30, 2025
- 3 min read
This topic never gets old, and is continuously searched for: Is it cheaper living in an RV than living in a house, apartment or mobile home? I have some answers for all of you from my full time RV life. Today I'm discussing:
Let me begin by saying living in an RV can be cheaper, but that is all in your mindset and how you live the life. Do you prefer living minimally? If yes, then you're on the right path. Do you have little to no debt? If yes, another sign you can live full time on the road. Can you live with less, work for seven months and save most of your wages just in case you don't get a paying job in the winter? If yes, welcome to my world because that's essentially what I do, from year to year for the past four years.
Now for the information everyone is waiting for... Living full time on the road is not without fixes, expensive travel costs, or camping costs. Below I list everything, minus my internet/streaming services, vehicle insurance and grocery costs, that is required to live full time in an RV.
RV, Car and Tow Dolly Repairs 2024 vs 2025
$4613 (I don't have data for 2024, but if I were to take a guess, it was at least half of 2025)
Camping Costs
$582 (2024) $604 (2025)
Propane Costs
$125 (2024) $212 (2025)
Fuel for the Mothership
$1536 (2024) $1672 (2025)
Grand Total is: $5800 (2024, approximate) $7601 (2025)
Repair saw an increase from 2024 because the motorhome needed a transmission/air/oil cooler installed and custom made, as well as we purchased new tires for both the car and tow dolly. Our camping costs were slightly higher because we camped at a few more places versus boondocking at rest stops (remember for the year that I usually workamp, which includes my site and I earn a paycheck, this cuts down on camping expenses by A LOT, and allows me to save $$$.) I read that a full time RV'er, who has more money than brains, spent a total of over $20k in camping, that's unwarranted if you have any type of critical thinking skills (if you are spending that kind of cash on camping, keep your house and go weekend camping, you'll thank me later). Propane was higher versus 2024 because we stopped using an electric heater, due to safety concerns, and primarily used our motorhome furnace more frequently while in Michigan which increased our propane usage. Remember, propane lasts a long time, especially with our one hundred pound tank, approximately 25 gallons, but a furnace burns through the fuel quicker. An expense that has everyone interested is the fuel/unleaded gasoline costs, they were higher this year because we drove and explored a bit more with the Mothership.
We still pay for groceries, car insurance, and internet/streaming services, but for the most part the main expenses exclusively for RV life shouldn't differentiate from what I've listed. Yes, some will spend more or less, but this is our spending for the year!
That's the breakdown. The RV life can be little cheaper, but you must commit to living a cheaper existence to make it work. I save money by workamping and getting my camping paid for. I shop Aldi saving a ton of money even though I have a few less options. I donate plasma for my fuel needs, so every dollar I earn donating plasma goes towards fueling our trips across the states. There are payoffs for living this life: health, happiness, and exploration are just a few. And as always if you have any questions, please leave a comment below. I hope everyone is doing well. Here's to another good year of travel, exploration and goals in 2026. I'll see everyone next year! Thanks for reading!
Tim Eagle
Tim Eagle is an author of the novellas Stolen Seed, Life Ship, and the Vasectomus Collection. He lives full time, on the road, with his wife, Maria and cat Walter White. He grew up in Michigan and is inspired by the dysfunction of America. His books are available on Amazon, godless and this site timeaglefiction.comÂ
