Tiny House vs. RV? Each Has Small Square Footage but Different Benefits
Tiny House Vs. RV Highlights:
- RVs come move-in ready in a convenient and mobile package
- Customizability of tiny homes means you can have the home of your dreams
- RVs allow frequent location changes, meaning new scenery and new neighbors
- Tiny homes are more private, sturdy, and outdoor customizable
When choosing between tiny house living vs. RV living, knowing your priorities are key. You’re likely considering many things, including cost, durability, building permits, financing options, insurance, mobility, and lifespan of the home. Read on to determine which option best fits your lifestyle.
How Does Living In an RV Differ From Tiny House Living
Tiny Home Living Basics
Tiny homes can be built on a foundation like a traditional house or on a trailer for hauling purposes. Generally, tiny homes are meant to stay in place or only move very infrequently. Though you can purchase prefabricated versions, many people opt to go the custom route, ensuring the layout works for their specific needs. Tiny homes have the feel of a regular home in terms of permanence and structure but are scaled down. Within the custom aspect, the choice of materials and design are unlimited and can be weatherproofed and insulated to be quite efficient and sustainable. Tiny homes are still a new phenomenon, and the legal documentation hasn’t fully caught up regarding getting building permits, loans, and insurance.
RV Living Basics
RVs, or recreational vehicles, are living options designed to be mobile. They are typically less insulated due to being streamlined and built lightweight for mobility. With numerous designs to choose from, it’s easy to find an RV with a layout that works for you.
Buying a used camper and renovating it can be a relatively inexpensive way to create your ideal RV lifestyle. Accredited RVs make for simple legal paperwork—you don’t have to deal with building permits, while financing and insurance are much easier than for tiny homes.
Tiny House Vs RV Cost
The cost of an RV or a tiny home can vary considerably depending on your lifestyle requirements and chosen amenities. Tiny homes can be built anywhere from $10,000 to $150,000, depending on the materials, size, and design. When you’re looking to sell, it can be complicated to appraise a tiny home, especially if it was a custom build.
RVs are more inexpensive, especially if you buy one used. You can browse RV lots and see the cost upfront. Acquiring a loan for an RV is typically simpler than financing to build a tiny home. While RVs depreciate in value once they’re driven off the lot, their value is easier to appraise.
If you’re planning to live in a tiny home or RV part-time, consider mitigating the cost by renting out your RV when it’s not in use, or listing your tiny home on Airbnb. Depending on the location and availability, these options can recoup some of the costs.
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Tiny House Living Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Ability for creative liberties and to customize your space to your small-space lifestyle
- Choice of materials and amenities means you can focus on sustainability
- You can build vertically on the same footprint
- Outdoor property can be an extension of your living space
Cons:
- Moving a tiny house requires a double-axle trailer and a vehicle that can handle towing the weight
- More costly to move – in terms of fuel, cleaning, dimension restrictions, and potential damage to materials
RV Living Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Don’t have to deal with building codes because the manufacturer manages those details
- Easier to insure and register for movement than a tiny home, even if the tiny home is built on a trailer
- You can change your backyard scenery any time
- Established resale market
- Power, water, and septic are self-contained
- If you’d like to live in a community of like-minded RVers, many already exist!
Cons:
- Lightweight material is not always the best-insulated and can be less durable, meaning less efficient energy usage and more sound coming in.
- Severe weather is a larger cause for concern.
If you need to take your RV to a mechanic, your home may also be out of commission.
Deciding Which is Best For You
Deciding between RV living and tiny home living depends on what your priorities are and what you’re willing to give up.
If you own land where you plan to live for quite a while, a tiny home will be best. You can customize your internal living space to your exact specifications. Choosing materials and layout means you can balance priorities between lifestyle, cost, and sustainability.
Do you want a large skylight right above your bed so you can stargaze from the comfort of your home? You can! Do you want to grow your own food and utilize solar power while having the comforts of proper plumbing? Not a problem!
If you’d rather prioritize novelty, travel, and movement, an RV lifestyle is likely the better choice. You can follow the best weather, you can change the view from your dining area, or you can drive right into outdoor recreation spaces. You may give up some privacy now and then, but you know that your RV was designed to move comfortably without damage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you use a tiny house like an RV?
Tiny homes are typically less durable and considerably heavier than an RV. Some RV parks have restrictions that may disqualify tiny homes. If you’re planning to move your tiny house, consider height and width restrictions, along with the weight vs. durability of building materials.
Is it realistic to live in an RV?
Many people live in RVs full-time, whether they’re permanently parked in an RV park, on their own private property, or regularly moving to new locations. The RV lifestyle requires downsizing while allowing additional mobility.
How long do tiny homes last?
The general consensus is that tiny homes last 30-50 years. The variability depends on materials used, decisions on foundation, and maintenance. Though less sturdy than a typical permanent home, it can be your lifelong home.
