Van life with children can save money — or cost more than a house, depending on how you do it. Here is the real family budget breakdown for UK van life.
Verdict
Van life saves a family of four roughly £1,000/month compared to a mortgaged house. The lifestyle is simpler and you spend more time together. But it is not "free living" — you still need a reliable income of £1,500-2,500/month for a family on the road.
The Myth of Cheap Van Life
Social media makes van life look free. It is not. A family of four in a campervan in the UK typically spends:
| Category | Monthly Cost |
|---|---|
| Fuel | £200-400 |
| Campsites/Parking | £300-600 |
| Food | £500-700 |
| Insurance | £80-120 |
| Maintenance | £50-150 |
| Mobile/SIM | £30-50 |
| Laundry | £30-60 |
| Activities | £100-300 |
| Eating out | £100-200 |
| Total | £1,390-2,580 |
| This is broadly comparable to a family home (mortgage £800-1,500, bills £300-500, food £600-800). You do not save as much as you think. |
Where You Save
- No rent/mortgage: £800-1,500/month saved
- No council tax: £150-250/month saved
- No energy bills: £150-300/month saved (but diesel for heating costs)
- No TV licence: £13/month saved
- No water bill: £40/month saved Total savings vs a house: £1,150-2,100/month
Where You Spend More
- Fuel: £300/month (vs £100 for a house car)
- Campsites: £400/month (vs £0 garden)
- Laundry: £40/month (vs £0 home washing machine)
- Eating out: £150/month (vs £50 when you have a kitchen)
- Activities: £200/month (you do more as a family on the road) Total extra vs house: £490-740/month
The Real Monthly Difference
| House (4-bed, mortgage) | Van (family of 4) | |
|---|---|---|
| Housing | £1,500 | £400 |
| Food | £700 | £600 |
| Transport | £300 | £300 |
| Leisure | £200 | £300 |
| Total | £2,700 | £1,600 |
| Van life saves a family with a mortgage roughly £1,100/month. This is significant but not life-changing unless you redirect the savings. |
Budget Tips for Families
- CAMC membership: £55/year. Discounted campsites (£10-20/night vs £25-40).
- Cook every meal: Eating out costs a family of four £40-60. A van-cooked meal costs £8-12.
- Free activities: Parkrun, forest walks, beach days, museum free entry days.
- Fuel efficiency: Drive at 55mph, not 70mph. Saves 20% on fuel.
- Wash at campsites: Use campsite laundry (£3-5/load) instead of launderettes (£7-10).
- Buy fuel at supermarkets: Tesco and Asda fuel is usually 3-5p/litre cheaper than motorway services.
Income
Many van families work remotely (one parent working, one homeschooling). Typical remote income: £2,000-4,000/month. Combined with savings from not having a house, this is enough for a comfortable van life.
