The cost of living on a houseboat is approximately $2,330 to $2,710 per month or $27,960 to $32,520 per year.
These prices include a loan repayment on a houseboat valued between $150,000 and $200,000.
There are different factors that will affect the cost of living on a houseboat including the price, location and condition of the houseboat.
The cost of living on a houseboat includes 9 expenses which are:
- Houseboat Loan Repayment Cost
- Fuel Costs
- Maintenance Costs
- Cleaning Costs
- Pump Out Fees
- Liveaboard Costs
- Entertainment Costs
- Insurance Fee
- Grocery Costs
Below is a cost of living on a houseboat breakdown summary.
1. Houseboat Loan Repayment Fees
The first cost to consider is the cost of purchasing a houseboat. The average houseboat costs between $150,000 and $200,000 to buy or approximately $650 to $850 per month in loan repayments over a 20-year period.
A houseboat buyer will usually get a boat financing loan with a length of 20 years.
The $650 to $850 monthly loan repayment cost includes interest payments.
Buyers can find houseboats for much cheaper or much more expensive depending on their budget but a price of $150,000 to $200,000 is the approximate price paid by most U.S. houseboat owners.
Houseboat loan repayment fees can be reduced by buying a cheaper houseboat or using a houseboat loan finance company that offers cheaper interest rates.
2. Fuel Costs
The second cost to consider when living on a houseboat is the fuel cost.
Houseboat fuel costs approximately $50 to $80 per month or $600 to $960 per year.
The majority of houseboats will remain stationary and the engine will rarely get used for moving on the water which will keep fuel costs to a minimum.
The factors that affect houseboat fuel costs are location, weather, size of the engine, frequency of use, and the condition of the houseboat.
Fuel costs on a houseboat include paying for the diesel or gas for the houseboat's motor.
Fuel costs on a houseboat can be reduced by using the motor much less frequently or buying fuel at cheaper fuel depots.
3. Maintenance Cost
The third cost to consider when living on a houseboat is the maintenance cost.
The approximate cost of houseboat maintenance is between $100 and $150 per month or $1,200 and $1,800 per year.
A houseboat's maintenance cost can vary substantially based on the houseboat's condition, size, age and location as well as the houseboat owner's experience with repairing and maintaining the boat.
Houseboat maintenance cost includes paying for spare parts and paying for repairing houseboat items like fridges, windows, toilets, doors, floors, electronics, heating and general equipment onboard.
Houseboat maintenance costs can be reduced by using second-hand parts, manually repairing the houseboat yourself, or buying a brand-new houseboat.
4. Houseboat Cleaning Costs
The fourth cost to consider when living on a houseboat is the cleaning cost.
Houseboat cleaning costs approximately $60 per month or $720 per year.
Houseboat cleaning costs include paying for cleaning supplies to keep the interior and exterior of the vessel clean and spotless.
The factors that affect the houseboat cleaning costs are how well the houseboat owner takes care of the boat and the number of people living on the houseboat.
Houseboat cleaning costs can be reduced by keeping the houseboat in good condition or buying cleaning supplies in bulk where discounts are applied.
5. Pump Out Fees
The fifth cost to consider when living on a houseboat is the pump-out fees.
The pump-out fees when living on a houseboat are approximately $70 per month or $840 per year.
Pump-out costs include paying for the sewage and toilet waste to be removed from the houseboat and safely disposed of. A $70 pump-out fee covers getting a pump-out twice per month.
The factor that influences the pump-out fees is the amount of waste that is needed to be pumped out.
To reduce the houseboat pump-out costs, move the houseboat to a cheaper location.
Typically, pump-out fees will be included in liveaboard marina fees but this is not always the case and they are sometimes separate costs.
6. Liveaboard Cost
The sixth cost to consider when living on a houseboat is the liveaboard fees.
The approximate liveaboard cost of a houseboat is $500 to $600 per month or $6,000 to $7,200 per year
Liveaboard fees are usually calculated on a per-foot basis based on houseboat size.
Liveaboard costs include paying for marina mooring fees, electricity supply, internet connection, water supply, laundry facilities, garbage disposal and other marina facilities.
To reduce the cost of liveaboard fees, dock the houseboat in a cheaper marina or move to a less popular location.
7. Entertainment Cost
The seventh cost to consider when living onboard a houseboat is the entertainment cost.
The cost of entertainment when living on a houseboat is approximately $300 per month or $3,600 per year.
Entertainment costs include paying for tv subscriptions, board games, dining out, trips to the cinema, etc.
The entertainment costs will not change throughout the year.
To reduce entertainment costs, find free entertaining activities to do or dock the houseboat in a marina with many entertainment facilities
8. Houseboat Insurance Fee
The eighth cost to consider when living on a houseboat is the houseboat insurance costs.
The cost of houseboat insurance is approximately $100 per month or $1,200 per year.
Insurance costs include paying for fully comprehensive houseboat insurance or limited liability insurance.
To reduce the houseboat insurance cost, browse through marine insurance providers for a better price or pay for the cheaper limited liability insurance rather than fully comprehensive insurance.
9. Grocery Cost
The ninth cost to consider when living on a houseboat is the grocery costs.
The grocery costs when living on a houseboat are approximately $450 per month or $5,400 per year.
Grocery costs include paying for food, drinks, cooking supplies, toiletries, personal care items
To reduce grocery costs, shop in discount grocery stores or move to a cheaper location where prices are lower.
Frequently Asked Questions About The Cost Of Living On A Houseboat
Below are the most commonly asked questions about the cost of living on a houseboat.
How Much Does A Large Houseboat Cost To Live On?
The approximate cost of living on a large houseboat is $2,710 per month or $32,520 per year.
How Much Does A Small Houseboat Cost To Live On?
The approximate cost of living on a small houseboat is $2,330 per month or $27,960 per year.
What Is The Most Expensive Cost Associated With Living On A Houseboat?
The most expensive cost associated with living on a houseboat is the houseboat loan repayment fees and the marina liveaboard fees.
How Can The Cost Of Living On A Houseboat Be Reduced?
The cost of living on a houseboat can be reduced by buying a cheaper pre-owned houseboat and living on the houseboat in a cheaper location with lower pump-out and liveaboard fees.
Where Is The Cheapest Location To Live On A Houseboat?
The cheapest location to live on a houseboat in America is Mississippi.
Where Is The Most Expensive Location To Live On A Houseboat?
The most expensive location to live on a houseboat in America is Florida.
When Is The Most Expensive Time Of Year To Live On A Houseboat?
The most expensive time of year to live on a houseboat are the winter months when the weather is cold.
When Is The Cheapest Time Of Year To Live On A Houseboat?
The cheapest time of year to live on a houseboat is the summer months when the climate is warmer.