After living in a van for two weeks, I realized how much cheaper it was than living in Denver.

• I lived and traveled in a camper for two weeks.
• I wanted to explore America, but I also wanted to see if I could do van life full time.
• This trip highlighted how affordable life can be. But that's only if I make an effort.

This was the third Icee gas station in the first week of traveling in the van. I knew if I wanted to pursue van life full-time, I would have to break the habit.

Not just for your blood sugar levels, but for your wallet too.

$4 Icee may not seem like a lot, but it adds up to a lot. I quickly realized that these small expenses, like eating out, gas station snacks, and souvenirs, can make van life more expensive.

At the same time, we found that the vanlife movement could be a more affordable way to live.

Like most cities, Denver is not a cheap place to live.

Last October, I left my Denver apartment for a two-week van trip exploring the American Southwest in my rented Ram ProMaster. My route took him through six states, several national parks, and stops in small towns along the way.

I've long admired the option of getting into a car and exploring nature, so while I wanted to see new parts of the country, I also wanted to try that lifestyle.

My desire to ditch my belongings and live in a van has grown stronger over the past few years as I've seen the cost of living skyrocket.

The average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Denver was $1,681 in March, according to Apartments.com. Although that number is slightly lower than last year, Axios reports that Denver had the second-highest year-over-year inflation rate in the country last summer.

Denver isn't the only city feeling this increase. The cost of living is high in major U.S. cities, and cheap rent is becoming increasingly difficult to find.

Many nomads I interviewed cited high rents as the reason they considered living on the streets in the first place.

Brittany NewsonFor example, she said she lives in San Francisco and spends $1,300 to rent a room in a house with four other people. She told BI that she remembers thinking, “There has to be a better way for her.” In 2019, she moved into a refurbished school bus.

I have felt that tension firsthand. My rent is a little lower than average, but I spend more on groceries, I pay more for my apartment than my financial advisor recommends, and I think twice before eating out these days.

So finding a lifestyle like van life that includes adventure and potential savings sounds too good to be true.

Living in a van reduces some costs but adds others

During my two-week road trip, I spent less on certain things than I normally would. I also spent more money on other categories.

I added 3,000 miles to the van's odometer and gas became one of my most expensive spending categories. I spent $660 at gas stations in two weeks. If I adopted a full-time lifestyle, I would travel more slowly and spend less. But it's still likely to cost you more than the $75 you're expected to pay each month for gas in Denver.

Several nomads said their new rent for living on the streets was the cost of gas. zach nelsonFor example, he told BI that he got a solid deal from his old boss on the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter he currently lives in. Now, gas money is one of his few expenses.

“Aside from car maintenance and insurance, the only thing you really pay for is gas and food,” he says.

When it comes to food, I spent about as much on groceries as I do living in Denver. We did our travel shopping at Costco and Trader Joe's and spent less than $150 and had enough food left over. Eating out was about the same.

In terms of accommodations, this felt like the cheapest part of the trip. We splurged for one night at an RV resort and it cost us about $60. We also spent $25 to sleep at Joshua Tree National Park and paid similar fees for nearby campgrounds. But most nights I found free public land or free parking outside of Walmart or Cracker Barrel. In total, we spent less than $170 on the campsite.

The biggest expense will probably be the cost of the van itself. For this trip, we received media fees for the van rental from Native Campervans. However, if you were to do this full time, you would probably buy your own car.

If you're willing to go through the trouble, you can buy used buses, vans, and cars for a few thousand dollars. On the other hand, the price of a new Mercedes Sprinter van starts at $71,000 before modifications.

Realistically, the price would be somewhere in between for me. According to TrueCar, if you want to buy a Ram ProMaster in Denver, you'll likely spend about $27,000 on a used model. According to Bankrate, if I plan to live in my van for about three years and get a guaranteed interest rate, I'll be paying about $900 a month. Hopefully I can sell it later and get some of it back.

Even after factoring in the van loan, campsite, and gas costs, that's still less than the $1,500 rent. However, the difference is only a few hundred dollars.

From the nomads I spoke to, it really depends on the individual how much they want to spend. Some families have saved tens of thousands of dollars by purchasing and renovating a school bus instead of a house. Other van dwellers have shared how their emergency funds have been depleted due to unexpected maintenance issues.

I experienced that living in a van can be cheaper than my current lifestyle

Van life has hidden costs. You often have to pay for showers, clean water, and emptying the van's gray water tank. Your vehicle may have maintenance issues, and your car insurance could end up being more expensive than what you're currently paying.

But van life can also save you money. You no longer have to worry about electricity, gas, or water bills. Cancel your expensive climbing gym membership and focus on the outdoors. Since you won't have anywhere to store your clothes, you'll also spend less on them.

Moreover, day-to-day activities are also cheaper. We saved money by substituting Sunday brunch for a Sunday hike and a night of stargazing at the movie theater.

I'm not saying van life is necessarily like that. It's cheaper than living in the city, but I'm sure it will if you work.

For now, I'm waiting for car loan rates to plummet and looking for an affordable used van before I make the leap.