Tiny House vs RV Living: Cost and Lifestyle Comparison

published on 29 October 2024

Looking to downsize but torn between a tiny house and RV? Here's what you need to know:

Quick Answer: Choose an RV if you want mobility and lower upfront costs ($30k-60k). Pick a tiny house if you prefer staying put and can handle higher initial investment ($50k-150k).

Feature RV Living Tiny House Living
Cost $30k-60k $50k-150k
Size 200-400 sq ft 100-400 sq ft
Mobility Drive anywhere Need special towing
Setup Time 30 mins Several hours
Lifespan ~10 years 20-30 years
Monthly Costs $500-1000 $300-600
Best For Frequent travelers Semi-permanent living

Key Differences:

  • RVs are built for travel, tiny houses for staying put
  • RVs lose 30-45% value in 5 years; tiny houses can maintain value
  • RVs offer quick setup; tiny houses need more planning
  • RVs have fixed layouts; tiny houses are customizable

Monthly Costs Breakdown:

  • Parking: $400-800
  • Utilities: $100-170
  • Insurance: $50-150
  • Maintenance: $100-300

73% of Americans might consider downsizing, with tiny homes being 87% cheaper than regular houses. Both options mean less stuff and lower bills - your choice depends on whether you want to roam or set roots.

What Are Tiny Houses and RVs?

Tiny houses and RVs offer compact living, but they're quite different. Let's break it down:

Tiny Houses: Home in Miniature

Tiny houses are exactly what they sound like: small homes. They pack all the essentials into 100-400 square feet. Built like regular houses, just smaller.

Feature Tiny House Details
Size 100-400 sq ft
Build Standard home materials
Foundation Fixed or wheeled
Code Follows IRC Appendix Q (2018)
Purpose Long-term living

Tiny houses boomed after the 2009 housing crisis. They use clever tricks to maximize space:

  • Hidden storage
  • Sleeping lofts
  • Multi-use furniture
  • Compact doors and stairs

RVs: Homes on Wheels

RVs come in various shapes and sizes:

RV Type Length Sleeps Best Use
Class A 25-45 ft 4-8 Luxury travel
Class B 16-24 ft 2-4 Easy driving
Class C 20-32 ft 4-8 Family trips
Travel Trailer 12-35 ft 2-8 Towing flexibility
Fifth Wheel 25-40 ft 4-8 Extended stays
Truck Camper 8-11 ft 2-4 Pickup owners

Each type has its perks:

  • Class A: Most home-like
  • Class B: City-friendly
  • Class C: Comfort meets drivability
  • Travel Trailers: Versatile, need towing
  • Fifth Wheels: Spacious, require pickup
  • Truck Campers: Ultra-mobile

The big difference? Tiny houses are for settling down. RVs are for hitting the road. Park Model RVs sit in the middle - technically RVs, but with up to 400 square feet for longer stays.

Starting Costs

Upfront Expenses

Tiny houses and RVs have different price tags:

Type Price Range Common Models & Costs
Tiny Houses $30,000 - $60,000 - Tumbleweed Cypress: $102,959
- Tumbleweed Elm: $98,959
- Tumbleweed Farallon: $91,000
RVs $5,000 - $300,000 - Used Models: $5,000 - $30,000
- New Class B: $80,000 - $140,000
- New Class A: $150,000 - $300,000

Tiny houses cost per square foot:

Square Footage Total Cost
200 sq ft $30,000
400 sq ft $65,000
600 sq ft $100,000

Beyond the Base Price

You'll need to budget for more than just the unit:

Tiny House Setup:

  • Foundation: $6,000 - $9,000 ($5.50 - $8 per sq ft)
  • Trailer: $4,500 - $9,000
  • Building permits: $200 - $2,000
  • Property survey: $100 - $600
  • Delivery: $1,179 (Colorado) to $6,579 (East Coast)

RV Setup:

  • Hookup equipment: $200 - $500
  • Basic supplies: $500 - $1,000
  • Insurance setup: $500 - $1,000

Financing options (on $60,000):

Option Interest Rate Monthly Payment Total Interest
RV Loan 4.0% $443.81 $19,886
Personal Loan 10.9% $1,027 $26,270
HELOC 5.02% $322 $55,953

Land costs vary wildly:

  • Alabama: $2,000 per acre
  • New Jersey/New York: $13,000+ per acre

Tiny houses need building permits and often can't get standard mortgages. RVs have simpler financing but higher interest rates.

Monthly Costs

Parking Fees

Parking costs vary:

Location Monthly Cost Includes
RV Resort (Lake View) $640 Pool, hot tub, fire pits, Wi-Fi
Basic RV Park $500 Standard hookups
Private Land $430/year Property taxes

Bills and Repairs

Utility and maintenance costs:

Expense Tiny House RV
Electricity $40-60 $40 (with AC)
Water/Sewage $20-40 In park fees
Internet $50-70 Often included
Maintenance $100-200 $200-300

A standard house costs about $600/month for utilities, including Wi-Fi, cable TV, water, power, and maintenance. An RV dweller paid just $40 for electricity with 24/7 AC at their resort.

Insurance

Coverage costs:

Type Monthly Cost Covers
RV $50-100 Vehicle and living space
Tiny House (Foundation) $100-150 Like standard home insurance
Tiny House (Wheels) $75-125 Often RV insurance

Save Money:

  • Park long-term
  • Use solar panels
  • Do regular maintenance
  • Bundle insurance
  • Check if RV park includes utilities

Both options can be cheaper than standard housing, but costs depend on location and lifestyle. Off-grid setups might cost more upfront but can cut monthly bills.

Daily Life

Moving Around

Aspect RV Tiny House
Travel Frequency Daily/weekly moves 1-2 moves per year
Setup Time 15-30 minutes Hours + pro help
Driving Requirements Standard license Commercial transport
Road Access Most highways/campgrounds Limited by size/weight

RVs are built for the road. You can pack up and go in under an hour. Tiny houses? Not so much. They need planning and pro movers.

Space and Storage

Feature RV Tiny House
Size Range 16-45 feet 100-400 sq ft + loft
Storage Options Built-in compartments Custom cabinets, closets
Layout Fixed design Custom floor plans
Weather Protection Basic insulation Full home insulation

RVs come as-is. Tiny houses? You can design them from scratch. Want a full closet? Go for it.

Meeting People

Setting RV Life Tiny House Life
Community Type Short-term neighbors Long-term residents
Social Spots Campgrounds, RV resorts Tiny home villages
Events Travel meetups Community gatherings
Parking Options Parks, RV parks Private land, communities

Take Shilo RV Village. It's a mix of both worlds:

  • 40+ spots for RVs and tiny homes
  • Monthly community events
  • Shared amenities
  • Mix of residents

The big difference? RVs are all about moving. Tiny houses? They're about staying put.

Your daily life boils down to this:

  • RV Life: New place every day? No problem.
  • Tiny House: Set up once, stay a while.
  • Both: Places like Shilo welcome both styles.

Choose based on how often you want to move and who you want as neighbors. RVs for the wanderers, tiny houses for the settlers.

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Making It Your Own

Tiny House Changes

Change Type Options Cost Range
Layout Custom floor plans, lofts, hidden storage $6,000 - $100,000
Materials Reclaimed barn wood, marble counters $500 - $5,000
Features Full kitchen, outdoor shower $1,000 - $10,000
Utilities Off-grid systems, solar panels $2,000 - $15,000

Tiny houses are all about control. Want a king bed with storage? You got it. Full-size stove? No sweat. Your choices drive the cost:

  • Basic cabin kit: $6,000 - $8,000
  • 200 sq ft custom: $30,000
  • 400 sq ft custom: $65,000
  • 600 sq ft custom: $100,000

RV Changes

Update Type Quick Fixes Time Cost
Walls Peel-stick wallpaper, paint 1-2 days $50-200
Counters Contact paper, epoxy 1 day $11-100
Storage Shelves, cabinet organizers 2-4 hours $20-150
Lighting LED fixtures, new bulbs 1-2 hours $30-200

Real RV owners are getting creative:

"It's so colorful now. I walk in and it feels like home", says Heather McLarry. She spent under $1,000 on her 2015 camper, using $11 contact paper for countertops and scoring cheap furniture on Facebook Marketplace.

Quick RV updates that pack a punch:

  • Paint cabinets (McLarry went sage green in the kitchen, black in the bedroom)
  • Stick-on tile backsplash
  • New cabinet knobs
  • Updated light fixtures
  • Contact paper on counters

Just remember: RVs have their limits. You can't move walls or change the structure. But small tweaks can make a BIG impact.

Rules and Access

Local Laws

Location Type Tiny House Rules RV Rules
Private Land Building permits, foundation requirements Temporary stays only in most areas
RV Parks Must meet RVIA standards Welcome with proper certification
City Lots ADU zoning needed Often not allowed
Rural Areas Less strict rules Allowed with time limits

Tiny houses and RVs have different rules:

Tiny Houses:

  • Need permits
  • Must follow local codes
  • Often need a permanent foundation
  • Have minimum size rules
  • Pay property taxes

RVs:

  • Can't stay long (14-30 days)
  • Must move around
  • Need vehicle registration
  • Require insurance
  • Can't set up permanently

Where You Can Go

Option Stay Length Monthly Cost Hookups
BLM Land 14 days max Free None
RV Parks No limit* $400-800 Full
Private Land Varies $200-500 DIY
State Parks 14 days max $25-45/day Basic

*Some parks have seasonal limits

RV spots:

  • Truck stops (overnight)
  • Walmart lots (check policy)
  • National parks (reserve)
  • Casino lots (often free with gaming)

Tiny house options:

  • RV parks that accept them
  • Your own land (check zoning)
  • Tiny house communities
  • Mobile home parks

The Escapees RV Club has parks across the U.S. with various stay options. Both RVs and tiny houses usually pay $400-800 monthly for full hookups.

"The International Residential Code (IRC) is the standard for homes on a foundation, while the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards apply to Recreational Vehicles (RVs), which are often restricted to RV parks."

Before picking a spot, check:

  • Local zoning laws
  • Stay limits
  • Utility access
  • Parking fees
  • Insurance needs

Future Worth

Value Over Time

Type Initial Cost 5-Year Value Loss Resale Market
RV $30,000-60,000 30-45% Large, established
Mobile Tiny House $30,000-50,000 20-30% Limited, growing
Foundation Tiny House $50,000-150,000 0-15%* Location dependent

*When built on owned land

Mobile tiny houses and RVs? They lose value fast, like cars. Buy a tiny house on wheels, and its price starts dropping immediately. And selling? It's tougher than with RVs - the market's smaller.

But tiny houses on foundations? Different story. Own the land and build it right, and your house might keep its value. It could even go up in price, just like regular homes.

How Long They Last

Feature Stationary Tiny House Mobile Tiny House RV
Expected Lifespan 20-30 years 10-15 years 10 years
Main Wear Points Roof, siding Frame, wheels Engine, seals
Maintenance Needs Every 2-3 years Yearly Every 6 months
Build Materials Wood, SIP panels Light materials Fiberglass, aluminum

Why do stationary tiny houses last longer? Simple:

  • They don't move
  • They're built stronger
  • They're insulated better
  • They get regular TLC

RVs and mobile tiny houses? They take a beating from:

  • Road vibrations
  • Weather exposure
  • Weight shifts
  • Constant moving

Want your tiny home to last? Here's what to do:

  • Check seals and joints
  • Fix water damage ASAP
  • Keep wheels and frame solid
  • Update paint and coating
  • Clean gutters and vents

Remember: lifespan depends on quality and care. A well-built stationary tiny house? It could last 20-30 years with basic upkeep. RVs? They often need major repairs or replacement around 10 years.

Which One Is Right for You?

Your Way of Life

Lifestyle Factor RV Better If You... Tiny House Better If You...
Travel Move weekly/monthly Stay 6+ months per spot
Work Remote/seasonal jobs Fixed location work
Space Needs 200-400 sq ft enough Want 300-400 sq ft
Parking Use campgrounds Have land/rent spot
DIY Skills Basic maintenance Like building/fixing
Climate Follow good weather Stay in one climate

RVs are great if you:

  • Need frequent moves for work
  • Can't get enough of new places
  • Don't mind campground living
  • Want a ready-to-go home
  • Enjoy meeting fellow travelers

Tiny houses shine if you:

  • Dream of building your own place
  • Plan to put down roots
  • Need better weather protection
  • Want a small garden
  • Crave more storage

Your Money Plan

Cost Factor RV Tiny House
Starting Price $30k-60k used $50k-150k new
Monthly Parking $500-1000 $300-600
Insurance $100-200/month $50-100/month
Fuel/Moving $200-500/move $1000-2000/move
Repairs Every 6 months Every 2-3 years
5-Year Value Loss 30-45% 0-30%

Short-term (1-2 years)? RVs win:

  • Quick start
  • Less upfront cash
  • Easy to sell
  • More loan options

Long-term (3+ years)? Tiny houses shine:

  • Lower costs over time
  • Built to last
  • Less upkeep
  • Potential value boost with land

But it's not just about the numbers. Think about:

  • How often you'll hit the road
  • Where you'll park
  • Your fix-it skills
  • Future selling plans

Conclusion

Choosing between a tiny house and an RV boils down to your lifestyle, budget, and long-term goals.

Factor RV Living Tiny House Living
Mobility Weekly/monthly moves Semi-permanent spots
Build Lightweight, shorter lifespan House-grade, durable
Cost $30,000-60,000 used $50,000-150,000 new
Monthly Expenses Higher parking fees Lower lot rent
Moving Drive anywhere Permits, special towing
Space 200-400 sq ft, built-in storage 300-400 sq ft plus lofts

Choose an RV if you:

  • Want immediate travel
  • Enjoy campground socializing
  • Need quick setup
  • Have a smaller budget
  • Plan 1-2 years of travel

Pick a tiny house if you:

  • Prefer staying put longer
  • Need better weather protection
  • Like customization
  • Can handle higher upfront costs
  • Plan 3+ years of tiny living

"The choice between tiny house vs. RV living will depend on individual needs, preferences, and lifestyle choices." - Wind River Built

20% of leisure travelers have worked remotely from an RV in the past 2 years, showing both options suit modern living.

There's no wrong choice. It's about what fits YOUR life. Freedom to move or a solid home base? Quick start or long-term value? Ready-made or custom-built? Your perfect match depends on your needs and plans.

FAQs

RV vs Tiny Home: Which is Better?

It depends on what you're after:

Factor RV Tiny House
Travel Frequent moves Stationary
Cost Under $30k $50k+
Lifestyle Campground Private home
Build Quick setup House-grade

"Want a mobile lifestyle? Go RV. Dream of a downsized, custom home? Tiny house is your answer!" - Rover Tiny Homes

RV Living vs House: Cost Comparison

RVs are cheaper because:

  • Lower heating/cooling costs
  • Less maintenance
  • Fewer items to buy
  • Smaller utility bills

Why Choose a Tiny House Over an RV?

Build a tiny house if you want:

  • Custom layout and design
  • Better materials
  • Improved weather protection
  • Unique features
  • Long-term value

Cost: Tiny Home vs RV

Here's the breakdown:

Option Price Best For
Used RV Under $30k Budget buyers
New RV $30k-60k Mid-range
Tiny House $50k-150k Long-term investment

"RVs offer some customization, but tiny homes let you change the overall look and layout." - Rover Tiny Homes

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