Van Life Manual – Part 3: How much does van life cost?

Let’s talk money. It’s one of the biggest questions people have about van life — and for good reason. Can it actually save you money? How much will it cost to get started? And what about income — how do people afford this lifestyle?

In this part of the guide, we’ll break it all down: van life expenses, budgeting tips, and creative ways to make money on the road.

Table of Contents

1. Is this lifestyle really for you?
2. Choosing or building your camper van
3. How much does van life cost, and can it save you money? ← You are here
4. Full-time vs. part-time van living – How to choose?
5. The unglamorous stuff: parking, showers, toilets & more
6. Finding community and staying connected

How much does van life cost?

Van life is flexible — and so are the costs. Your monthly spending could be under $1,000 or well over $3,000 depending on your lifestyle choices, travel style, and setup.

Here’s a rough idea of where your money might go each month:

💡 Quick tip: keep a buffer fund. Unexpected repairs are common, especially if you’re on the road a lot or your van is older.

Upfront costs (the big spend)

Starting van life requires an initial investment. Here’s what that might look like:

• Buying a van: $5,000–$100,000+
  (depends on if you go used, new, or fully custom)
• DIY conversion supplies: $3,000–$20,000
  (solar, electrics, insulation, vibration dampening, plumbing, furniture, tools)
• Pre-converted van: $30,000–$120,000
  (prices have risen, but you’re buying time + expertise)
• Registration, insurance, inspection: varies by state

The key is knowing your priorities. Do you need a fancy van, or just one that gets you moving, and is reliable? Are you okay with minimal amenities if it means getting on the road sooner?

Can van life really save you money?

For a lot of people — yes. But it depends on your lifestyle before van life, and how you choose to live during it.

You might save a lot if:

• You used to pay high rent or mortgage
• You’re good at free camping and cooking meals
• You don’t drive huge distances every week
• You keep your setup simple

Some van lifers save aggressively for a future house deposit – which is totally smart. Others use it as a way to reset financially and break the paycheck-to-paycheck cycle – this is what we did.

That said, if you drive cross-country every month, stay at $50 campsites regularly, and eat out most nights, van life will feel more like a road trip than a money-saver.

So… be honest about your habits, and understand what you want to get out of your van life.

How do people make money while living in a van?

This part looks different for everyone but the good news is, there are lots of ways to earn while you travel. Here are some of the most common ones:

Work remotely

If your current job lets you work from home, you’re golden, just swap “home” for your van. Reliable cell service and a good hotspot setup like Starlink, are essential.

Starlink has changed the game for high-speed internet on the go, and in off-grid areas.

Freelance or contract work

Design, writing, coding, virtual assistance, video editing. If you have a skill, chances are someone will pay you for it online.

Seasonal jobs & part-time work

Think ski resorts, campgrounds, hostels, national parks, or even harvest gigs. This works especially well if you only want to work for part of the year.

Content creation

It’s not for everyone, and it won’t make you rich overnight but some van lifers monetize YouTube, blogs, or Instagram through affiliate links, brand partnerships, or paid subscriptions.

Sell things you don’t need

Before you hit the road, consider offloading anything you no longer use. Think old furniture, clothes, electronics, your car (if your van replaces it). That cash can go directly into your van fund.

Rent out your house

If you own a home, renting it out can create passive income while you travel, just make sure the rent covers your costs.

Startup tip

Some people take out loans for their van or build, but if you can avoid it, or at least reduce how much you borrow, you’ll have more freedom and less financial stress on the road.

Less stress will make your van life so much more enjoyable, and it will allow you to ‘slow down’, so to speak…

If you don’t have savings, think about what you can sell, how to temporarily boost income, or how to start small and upgrade over time.

Coming up next…

In Part 4, we’ll talk about how to choose between full-time and part-time van life, and what each version of the lifestyle actually looks like in practice. Spoiler: there’s no right or wrong way to do it.

👉 Head to Part 4: Full-time vs. part-time van life.