Living in an RV full time can cost less than you think. It can also cost more, if you forget a few things. This guide walks through each cost, one at a time. We use the real numbers from Itasca Creek RV Park, on FM 67 just off I-35W in Itasca, TX. For everything else, we tell you what to plan for, so you can fill in your own numbers.
The short answer
- Monthly sites start at $549 a month, plus metered electricity.
- Water, sewer and your own internet line come with the site.
- Monthly stays need a non-refundable $150 deposit.
- Propane is for sale on site.
- Your other costs are groceries, fuel, a phone plan, insurance and upkeep.
Site rent
Site rent is the biggest line in most RV budgets. At Itasca Creek, the price depends on the site type. Here are the monthly starting rates for each one.
| Site type | Monthly, from |
|---|---|
| Fenced Back-In RV Sites | $569 |
| Premium Fenced Back-In RV Sites | $669 |
| Fenced Back-In Covered RV Sites | $799 |
| Premium Fenced Back-In Covered RV Sites | $825 |
| Privately Fenced Back-In RV Sites | $749 |
| Pull-Thru RV Sites | $549 |
| Pull-Thru Super RV Sites | $599 |
Every monthly rate is a starting price, plus metered electricity.
What the rent includes
When you compare parks, look at what the rent covers. A low price that leaves out the things you need is not a good deal. At Itasca Creek, every site includes:
- Full hookups: electric, water and sewer (30-amp and 50-amp at every site)
- A dedicated internet connection
- A concrete pad
- A concrete patio
- A picnic table
- Parking for two vehicles
You also get the pool, the laundry room, private showers, the dog park and the creekside trail. Most site types add a fenced yard.
Electricity
At Itasca Creek, electricity is metered at your site. It is billed on top of your monthly rate. Your bill depends on a few things:
- The season. Texas summers are hot, and air conditioning uses the most power.
- Your rig. A bigger RV with more air conditioners uses more.
- Your habits. Cooking, heating water and running a space heater all add up.
- Shade. A covered site has a steel canopy overhead that keeps you cool in the summer.
Ask any park how it bills for power before you sign up. Then plan a little extra for summer.
Propane
Many RVs use propane to cook, heat water and warm the rig in winter. How much you need depends on your rig and the weather. Itasca Creek has a propane refill station on site, so you don't have to haul tanks to town.
Internet
If you work from your RV, internet is not optional. At Itasca Creek, every site has its own internet line at no extra charge. The office gives you a modem and cables when you arrive. The equipment belongs to the park, and a $75 fee is charged if it is damaged or not returned. You may still want a phone plan with data for when you are on the road.
Groceries, errands and fuel
Your grocery bill depends on your household and how often you eat out. Gas stations and dollar stores are easy to reach from the park. Hillsboro is a short drive south for bigger shopping trips and its historic downtown. Fort Worth and Waco are each about 45 miles away.
Fuel is the cost that changes the most. Moving the RV often costs a lot. A monthly stay lets you park the RV once and use your car for errands and day trips.
One-time and move-in costs
- Deposit: All monthly reservations require a non-refundable $150 deposit.
- Moving out: When an extended stay ends, give at least 15 days' notice and the deposit is refunded or applied to your final charges.
- New guest special: save up to $50 off your first 6 months. New guest reservations only. Call for details.
Costs people forget
- Extra adults: site fees cover two adults. Each extra adult on a long stay is $50 a month.
- Late fees: a late fee of $15 a day applies after 12 PM on the due date. Pay on time and you never see it.
- RV insurance: easy to leave out of the math.
- Repairs and upkeep: tires, roof care, the air conditioner. Set some money aside each month.
- Mail: a mail forwarding service, if you need one.
- Storage: a storage unit for things that don't fit in the RV.
A worked monthly budget
Here is an example for two adults on our lowest-priced monthly site. Lines marked Park rate are our real numbers. Lines marked Your estimate are for you to fill in, because they depend on you.
| Line | Amount and source |
|---|---|
| Site rent (lowest monthly rate) | $549 Park rate |
| Extra adults | None: two adults are included Park rate |
| Water and sewer | Included Park rate |
| Internet line and modem | Included Park rate |
| Electricity | Metered: depends on your use Your estimate |
| Propane | Depends on how much you use Your estimate |
| Groceries and household | Your own budget Your estimate |
| Fuel for your car | Depends on your drives Your estimate |
| Phone plan | Your plan Your estimate |
| RV insurance and upkeep | Set some aside Your estimate |
| Park charges for the month | $549 Park rate |
Add your own estimates to the park charges to get your full monthly cost. In your first month, add the $150 deposit too.
Three adults instead of two? Add $50 for the extra adult. The park charges for the month come to $599, before electricity.
The bottom line
Add up your own numbers for each line. Then compare the whole bill, not just the rent. A monthly site at Itasca Creek comes with your hookups, your own internet line, a picnic table and parking for two vehicles. Most sites add a fenced yard. Read more about monthly RV living at Itasca Creek.