Temporary Housing Options That Are Cheaper Than Rent (and not illegal)

Housing costs are mind-bogglingly high right now, with a basic one-bedroom apartment easily costing $1600/month. Cheap alternatives like storage-unit-living or squatting have trended on social media, but can get a person in legal trouble. If you’re looking for an unconventional and perfectly legal alternative to traditional renting or buying, try one of these options below:

Extended stay motels

This is our favorite option because of the flexibility, comfort, and perks. It’s possible to stay in 2-star motels for weeks at a time for approximately $50/night. With basic toiletries, internet, utilities, and sometimes even breakfast included, the $1520 per month looks attractive. Tip: sign up for the rewards program for upgrades, perks, and free nights.

Travel trailer or RV

This option is viable if you have a close friend or family member willing to loan you their recreational vehicle at little to no cost. We don’t recommend renting an RV as a temporary living option, since lowest rates tend to be around $65/night, not including insurance, fuel, campground fees, or cleaning fees, which would put the average cost well above current rental housing rates. If a friend or family member is willing to loan you their RV temporarily, we recommend getting insurance coverage and looking for low-cost or free campsites, like Bureau of Land Management sites.

Airbnb bedroom rental

Rental platforms like Airbnb offer the option to simply rent a single bedroom for rates as low as $30-$40 per night after fees. While this is an ultra-cheap option, you will likely be sharing the bathroom, cooking, and living spaces with other guests, so privacy is limited.

Cruise ship worker

If you’re looking for employment and housing wrapped into one, working on a cruise ship is a plausible temporary living arrangement. However, the long hours and constant state of travel aren’t for everyone.

Live-in caretaker

As a live-in-caretaker, you would reside in the same residence of the individual(s) you are assisting. Often these roles include nannies or personal care assistants. While free rent is great, the limited privacy isn’t for everyone.

House sitting

If you live in an area with frequently empty homes (seasonal tourist destination, wealthy neighborhoods, etc.) you may be able to snag short-term house sitting gigs.

Summer camp counselor

Sleep-away camps sometimes supply no-cost housing for the camp counselors, so look into this short-term job for temporary no-cost shelter.

Tent camping

If you live in a temperate climate or are wiling to be a nomad, tent camping is the cheapest option on the list that isn’t tied to employment. For less than $1000, you can invest in items that make camping more comfortable, like a large tent with a full rainfly, a quality air mattress, and a small solar-powered portable generator to charge your electronics and power a fan or space heater. Tip: look for second-hand camping equipment on Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, buy-nothing groups, and garage sales.

Final thoughts

Rising housing costs have left many looking for less expensive alternatives. While unconventional, these housing alternatives may be a great option to weather this unsavory housing market without breaking the bank.