Van life vs rent.

Van life vs renting cost calculator compares mobile living to traditional rental. 30k van over 5 years (6k/year) + 400/month van costs (4,800/year) = 10,800/year vs 1,200/month rent (14,400/year) = 3,600/year savings. Van life delivers significant financial savings + lifestyle freedom for those committed to nomadic living.

Example: 30k van conversion. 5-year lifespan = 6,000/year amortised. Monthly van costs 400 (insurance 100, fuel 150, parking 50, maintenance 50, utilities 50) = 4,800/year. Total 10,800/year. Vs 1,200/month rent (14,400/year). Annual savings 3,600. Plus freedom to travel, no location commitment.

Van life realities: (1) Initial conversion cost 20-80k (DIY 10-30k, professional 40-80k). (2) Ongoing costs underestimated (parking, water, propane, internet). (3) Maintenance higher than expected (vans break down, especially used). (4) Quality of life: cramped space, weather exposure, limited storage. (5) Social: harder to maintain relationships when constantly moving. (6) Work: need remote job or location flexibility. Best for: digital nomads, single individuals/couples, adventure-seekers, financial constraints. Worst for: families with school kids, location-tied jobs, those needing space/storage. Most van lifers return to traditional housing within 2-3 years.

Run it with sensible defaults

Using van purchase + conversion of 30,000, van lifespan of 5 years, monthly van costs of 400, monthly rent avoided of 1,200, the calculation works out to 3,600.00. Nudge the inputs toward your own situation and the output recalculates instantly. The defaults are meant as a starting point, not a recommendation.

The levers in this calculation

The inputs — Van Purchase + Conversion, Van Lifespan (years), Monthly Van Costs, and Monthly Rent Avoided — do not pull with equal force. Two inputs usually tip the answer one way or the other. Identify which ones matter most by flipping each value past a round threshold and watching whether the winning option changes.

How the math works

Annual savings = annual rent avoided - (amortised van + monthly van costs × 12). The working is transparent — you can verify every step yourself in the formula section below. No black box, no opaque "proprietary model".

Why see the number at all

Small recurring spending is invisible by design — every individual transaction is forgettable. Compounded over years, the total often surprises. Seeing the figure doesn't mean you typically need to cut the spending; it just makes the trade-off conscious.

What this doesn't capture

The tool prices the money; it can't weigh the enjoyment. A coffee habit, gym membership, or streaming bundle might cost what the math says but deliver value that's harder to quantify. Use the number to make the trade-off visible — the decision is yours.