Last Updated on August 25, 2024
Buses are useful for more than just driving kids to and from school. They make great platforms for building a food truck business, traveling the world, or even reselling for a profit. In the world of recreational vehicles (RVs), a repurposed school bus is called a “skoolie”. You can easily find a bus for sale and turn it into your dream vehicle. But before you start building your wishlist, you should know how to understand school bus costs. Once you know how much a school bus costs, you’ll be able to decide which bus type works best with your budget and goals.
As of 2024, a used school bus is often much cheaper than a used RV. The main customer of school buses are schools, and if most of them aren’t buying used buses, the demand for used buses will stay low. Most potential RV owners are willing to buy used, so the demand for used RVs is high.
Whether you want to use your bus as an RV, a coach bus, a tour bus, or even as a school bus, due to low demand, used bus prices are significantly lower than most other vehicle types.
Now that you have a better idea about pricing, let’s take a look at bus types.
How Much Is A School Bus: Which Type Is Right For You?
Several factors influence the cost of a used school bus: condition, age, size, and bus type.
There are four main types of buses: A, B, C, and D. A bus’s type depends on how big it is, its weight rating, how many passengers it can carry, and what kind of chassis it’s built on.
Type A
Type A busses seat between 10 and 30 passengers. The bus body is built on a van or cutaway truck chassis. Type A buses are subdivided into Type A-1, which has a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of up to 10,000 pounds, and Type A-2, with a GVWR of greater than 9,999 pounds.
Type B
Type B buses seat between 10 and 42 passengers. The bus body is installed on a stripped chassis, and it has a GVWR of more than 10,000 pounds.
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Type C
Also known as conventional school buses, Type C buses are built on a truck or flat-back cowl chassis, with a bus body. This iteration seats between 54 and 90 passengers, with a GVWR at more than 10,000 pounds.
Type D
Type D buses seat up to 90 passengers. They’re classic transit buses, with a bus body installed on a bus chassis. Their GVWR consists of more than 10,000 pounds. Sometimes they are referred to as transit-style or “flat-nose” buses, and have a flat front design.
Used buses are surprisingly cheap.
When you start shopping for used school buses, you’ll discover the prices are shockingly low! In 2024, school bus cost has fallen even further, thanks to the government’s push to replace dated buses with new school buses.
A 10-year-old 70-seater in decent-to-good condition with about 100,000 miles will cost anywhere between $15,000 and $40,000. The same bus, with 150,000 miles will cost between $7,000 and $13,000.
If you find a 10-year-old 36-seater in decent condition with about 100,000 miles, the price will be between $8,000 and $20,000, and most bus prices are at the lower end of that range. Likewise, a 10-year-old 12-seater in decent condition with about 100,000 miles will cost between $8,000 and $13,000.
It’s easy to find a used bus in the $6,000 to $8,000 price range if you’re willing to look in the 15 to 20 year range.
Now, compare those prices to price ranges of similar-sized RVs.
The Type A RV is the largest RV type, so it’s a good comparison for the 70-seat bus above. RVs in this size category with about 100,000 miles range from $30,000 to $600,000 or more. By choosing a bus over an RV, you’re saving between $15,000 and $30,000, minimum. The same RV with about 150,000 miles will range from $30,000 well into the millions. This option is at least $5,000 to $15,000 more expensive than a used school bus.
Mid-sized RVs are called Type C, and they’re a good size comparison to the 36-seat bus mentioned above. A mid-sized RV similar in age and with similar mileage costs between $16,000 and $50,000 or more, with your average Type C RV costing about $25,000. The cheapest used RV makes the most expensive school bus cost look tiny by comparison.
A ten-year-old used Type B RV with about 100,000 miles will cost between $12,500 and $120,000. Again, the lowest RV price overlaps with the highest price of comparable used school buses.
Used RV and School Bus Prices
| Vehicle Type | Cost |
| Used RV (Type A) | $30,000-$60,000+ |
| Used RV (Type C) | $16,000-$50,000+ |
| Used RV (Type B) | $12,500-$40,000+ |
| Used Bus (Type A) | $6,000-$15,000 |
| Used Bus (Type B) | $7,000-$13,000 |
| Used Bus (Type C) | $8,000-$20,000 |
| Used Bus (type D) | $15,000-$40,000 |
| Skoolie (fully converted) | $10,000-$100,000+ |
New school bus prices
Like their used counterparts, the price range of new school buses varies significantly depending on size, make and model, engine type, seating capacity, and other features. Here are some general price ranges for new school buses:
| Vehicle Type | Cost |
| Type A Bus | $50,000-80,000 |
| Type B Bus | $80,000-$120,000 |
| Type C Bus | $100,000-$130,000 |
| Type D Bus | $110,000-$200,000 |
| New RV | $10,000-$300,000 |
The cost of converting your used school bus
If you plan on using the bus for any purpose other than as a school bus, you will have to pay conversion costs.
Your major costs will include building materials such as flooring, wall panels, and roof tiles. You’ll also need furniture items like beds and chairs, along with appliances like a stove and fridge. Skoolies also usually need heating, air conditioning, interior lighting, and a toilet. And unless you’re a professional tradesman, you’ll need to pay for services, such as electrical, plumbing, and welding.
AffordableHousingTips.com suggests that the cost of converting a used school bus into a liveable home can be anywhere between between $20,000 and $40,000.
How much can you sell a Skoolie for?
The resale value of a skoolie varies significantly based on several factors: the skoolie’s condition, model year, conversion quality, amenities, and the overall demand for skoolies in the market at that time of sale.
Prices for these vehicles range anywhere from $10,000 to $100,000 or more. Lower-priced skoolies have basic conversions or are older buses. Higher-priced ones are probably newer bus models, and may have more extensive conversions with luxury features.
To determine the best price for your particular skoolie, research skoolie sales in your area and online marketplaces. Then assess the overall condition, features, and desirability of your converted bus. You may need to negotiate with potential buyers to find a price that both parties find reasonable.
Figuring out the annual costs
According to the School Superintendents Association (AASA), the annual cost of bus ownership can range from $34,000 to $38,000. Diesel fuel, maintenance, and insurance costs all add up.
School buses drive and idle three to four hours each day. If you plan on driving less than that, you can save on fuel costs.
The cost of fuel heavily impacts the total cost of bus ownership, as well as your upfront purchase costs. You can choose between diesel, propane, electric, and hybrid-fueled buses. Propane-powered buses cost a little more than diesel-powered ones, but cost less to refuel. Electric buses cost even less to refuel, but their purchase cost is higher. Hybrid buses are also costly, but provide the benefits of dual power.
Finding a hybrid or an electric bus more than 10 years old is difficult, and there aren’t many propane-powered buses on the market.
Here’s a table outlining school bus production by fuel type.
School Bus Production by Fuel Type
| Fuel Type | Buses Produced |
| Diesel | 19,567 |
| Gasoline | 10,321 |
| Propane | 1,739 |
| Electric | 1,181 |
Impact of location on used school bus price
Location can significantly impact the price and condition of used school buses, especially if you plan to convert your bus into a skoolie. The location of your school district can also influence the price of used school buses.
Here’s an expanded look at how location can affect used school bus prices and conditions:
Snowy States
In states with harsh winters, such as those in the Midwest or Northeast, used school buses may be cheaper due to increased wear and tear, rust, and corrosion. However, these buses may require maintenance and repairs to address those issues. Buses from these regions are more likely to have built-in heating systems to accommodate colder temperatures.
Southern/Warm States
Used school buses from southern or warm states, such as those in the Sun Belt region, may be in better overall condition due to the milder climate and reduced exposure to snow and ice. Consequently, they are likely to cost more. These buses may not have heating systems, as heating is not a high priority in warmer climates.
Intense sunlight and high temperatures in southern states can cause the paint on school buses to deteriorate over time. This results in peeling, chipping, or fading, which can affect the bus’s appearance and potentially reduce resale value. However, paint issues are generally cosmetic and do not necessarily reflect the bus’s overall mechanical condition.
Insulation and Heating for Skoolie Conversions
If you plan to convert a used school bus into a skoolie and travel to states with snowy, cold climates, you will need to factor in the costs of keeping the bus warm. Buses from snowy states likely already have better insulation and heating systems, which could save you money and time during the conversion process. If you purchase a bus from a warm state, you may need to invest more in insulation and heating.
Regional Market Factors
The prices of used school buses is also influenced by regional market factors: supply and demand, local economic conditions, and state or local regulations. Areas with a high supply of used school buses and low demand will have lower prices. Likewise, areas with a limited supply and high demand have higher prices. State or local regulations related to converted school buses may impact prices and the ease of purchasing a bus.
When buying a bus for conversion, consider the regional climate, heating and insulation needs, and regional market factors. Doing so will help you make an informed decision and ensure that your skoolie is well-equipped to handle your travel plans in various climates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need a commercial license to drive a school bus?
You may need a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) to drive a retired school bus for recreational or personal use, but it depends on the bus’s weight and seating capacity.
Typically, you will need a CDL if the bus has a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of over 26,001 pounds or is designed to transport 16 or more passengers. If the bus has been converted into a recreational vehicle (RV), you may be exempt from needing a CDL.
Laws and requirements can vary from state to state. Check with your local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) for your state’s specific requirements.
How much does it cost to get a commercial license?
The cost of obtaining a commercial driver’s license varies depending on the location and the driving school or training program you choose. On average, a CDL training program can cost anywhere between $1,500 to $8,000 in 2024.
How much can you sell a Skoolie for?
Skoolies have a selling price ranging anywhere from $10,000 to $100,000. Skoolies with more features are, obviously, worth more; an unconverted school bus is worth less.
Conclusion
Buying a school bus, whether used or new, is an exciting prospect, especially with prices lower than they’ve been in years. If you want to start your next big adventure, you’ve got the options you need. Start your search for a used school bus today- we have plenty of options just for you!