Soaring rents continue to be a problem in major cities around the country, so to save money people are doing everything from taking in roommates to switching to van life or even living as digital nomads. Tiny homes are still a thing, and now there’s an increased interest in ditching land entirely for a life on the water. According to Rightboat, an online boat and yacht marketplace, living on a boat instead of renting an apartment could save you up to $700 a month in many cities.
Searches for “how to live on a boat” have jumped more than 70% in the last year, and views of the hashtag #boatlife on TikTok have surged into the billions. With the average cost of solo city living nearing $2000 per month (including utilities) and up to $4000 per month in cities like New York, it’s no wonder city dwellers are considering all options, including an aquatic lifestyle.
Comparing average monthly apartment rent and utility costs to average slip boat booking and utilities, Rightboat determined that living on a boat can be significantly cheaper than on land in New York, Seattle, Austin, Nashville, San Francisco, Brooklyn and Boston. Here’s how the numbers break down:
New York
Slip Boat Booking & Utilities: $1,800
Apartment Rent & Utilities Cost: $4,082.36
Savings: $2,282.36
Seattle
Slip Boat Booking & Utilities: $1,350
Apartment Rent & Utilities Cost: $2,856.70
Savings: $1,506.70
Austin
Slip Boat Booking & Utilities: $1,143
Apartment Rent & Utilities Cost: $2,631.79
Savings: $1,488.79
Nashville
Slip Boat Booking & Utilities: $900
Apartment Rent & Utilities Cost: $2,346.78
Savings: $1,446.78
San Francisco
Slip Boat Booking & Utilities: $2,700
Apartment Rent & Utilities Cost: $3,643.85
Savings: $943.85
Brooklyn
Slip Boat Booking & Utilities: $2,700
Apartment Rent & Utilities Cost: $3,104.79
Savings: $404.79
Boston
Slip Boat Booking & Utilities: $2,700
Apartment Rent & Utilities Cost: $3,057.55
Savings: $357.55
But—other than the savings—is an idyllic life on the water really for you? The pros, according to Rightboat, include a more relaxed and healthy lifestyle, a connection to nature, a lower cost of living and a sense of community, but cons range from lack of space to greater exposure to the elements to specialized maintenance.