With the future of the world increasingly uncertain, a sturdy survival bunker might start to seem like a good investment. No longer just available to the super-rich, there are plenty of budget options out there that are more affordable.
Whether you’re looking to stockpile for a potential natural disaster or have a secure hideaway to hand in the event of an emergency, click or scroll on to discover the best bunkers for sale, ready-built shelters and backyard bunker kits to hunker down in…
BombNado, available in USA: from $19,000 (£15k)
Atlas Survival Shelters
If you’re on the lookout for a shelter to add to your existing home, then BombNado is the perfect option. Comprising four separate parts, the shelter is designed to fit through a seven-foot-high garage door opening, then each section lowers into the hole for re-assembly under the floor. A BombNado provides the ideal place to ride out any sort of storm.
BombNado, available in USA: from $19,000 (£15k)
Atlas Survival Shelters
With multiple uses as a bomb shelter, fallout bunker, tornado shelter or even a storage cellar, BombNado is fully customisable inside. Floor plans start at 64 square feet but reach up to 160 square feet, which leaves room for a toilet, multiple bunk beds and a sitting area.
BombNado, available in USA: from $19,000 (£15k)
Atlas Survival Shelters
With prices starting at just $19,000 (£15k), BombNado can be concealed almost anywhere. In fact, the module’s bulletproof hatch door can be located inside your bedroom closet, or even behind a false wall for ultimate peace of mind.
BombNado, available in USA: from $19,000 (£15k)
Atlas Survival Shelters
The backyard bunker comes equipped with an NBC Air Filtration System that protects you from nuclear, biological and chemical warfare. And it’s so sturdy you could even park a car on top of the hatch.
BombNado, available in USA: from $19,000 (£15k)
Atlas Survival Shelters
As well as all this, the bunker also boasts secret storage underneath the laminated oak flooring, perfect for storing extra food and supplies. They really have thought of everything!
Precast concrete shelter, available in USA: from $20,000 (£15.8k)
Atlas Survival Shelters
Another affordable bunker from Atlas Survival Shelters, this precast concrete version can be buried straight down beneath your garden. This secure space is multifunctional and the makers claim it can operate as a shelter from tornados and bombs or it could also be used as a root cellar to store food for times of crisis.
Precast concrete shelter, available in USA: from $20,000 (£15.8k)
Atlas Survival Shelters
This heavy-duty steel hatch and ladder offer a safe and secure way to enter and exit the bunker, while also protecting guests inside from whatever danger lies above land.
For anyone worried about nuclear attack, terrorism and natural disasters, it’s easy to see why this affordable shelter might appeal for extra peace of mind.
Precast concrete shelter, available in USA: from $20,000 (£15.8k)
Atlas Survival Shelters
The exterior dimensions are 8 feet by 12 feet, so it’ll fit in the smallest of outdoor spaces. Of course, this means it’s one of the smaller options. The interior measures 11.6 feet by 7.6 feet – providing around 88 square feet of liveable space, which is just about enough room to accommodate a family of four for a short stint.
Precast concrete shelter, available in USA: from $20,000 (£15.8k)
Atlas Survival Shelters
The precast concrete floor is six inches thick and the four-inch-thick walls are curved for a stronger build, according to Atlas. With a ceiling height of over seven feet, the bijou shelter can accommodate even the tallest of survivalists – not bad for just $20,000 (£15.8k).
Precast concrete shelter, available in USA: from $20,000 (£15.8k)
Atlas Survival Shelters
The bunker is fully customisable and you can add portable lavatories, batteries and water barrels to help ensure survival over a few days. It’s also kitted out with this NBC air filtration system. It comes with a manual crank, so those inside can benefit from a continuous supply of clean air even if the power goes out.
DIY bomb shelter, available worldwide: from $27,500 (£22k)
American Safe Room
If you fancy something a little bigger that’s still affordable, this DIY kit from American Safe Room might be a suitable solution. It comes with all the critical components needed so you can assemble one of their secure shelters yourself.
DIY bomb shelter, available worldwide: from $27,500 (£22k)
@American.Safe.Room / Facebook
Starting from $27,500 (£22k), depending on the size of shelter you select, each one can be built with steel beam reinforcement, which gives the structure additional strength.
As if that wasn’t enough, they can also be buried deep underground and still have a certified blast load rating of 2,980lbs per square foot.
DIY bomb shelter, available worldwide: from $27,500 (£22k)
American Safe Room
Along with a handy instruction manual that promises to help you along every step of building your own shelter, American Safe Room also provides you with all the steel elements, including brackets, fasteners, trusses, ventilation pipes and the electrical, water and septic channels, leaving you to source the concrete.
DIY bomb shelter, available worldwide: from $27,500 (£22k)
@American.Safe.Room / Facebook
Each kit also comes with a Safe Cell NBC air filtration system, complete with built-in battery backup capability, so you’ll never be caught short in a disaster. Each shelter is completely customisable; this bunker has a camouflaged entrance, so it can blend in with its surroundings.
DIY bomb shelter, available worldwide: from $27,500 (£22k)
American Safe Room
Starting at 160 square feet and available as big as 700 square feet, these bunkers can also come equipped with a blast door, should you feel the need to add one to your unique design.
Ready in just four weeks, it’s the perfect solution if you’re looking for a quick build at a reasonable price.
Vivos Indiana, Indiana, USA: $35,000 (£28k)
The Vivos Group
Nestled underground in the wilds of the American Midwest, Vivos Indiana is a vast subterranean shelter that can accommodate up to 80 people. Built within a converted Cold War-era bunker complex, it’s strong enough to withstand a 20-megaton nuclear explosion. That’s some serious protection!
Vivos Indiana, Indiana, USA: $35,000 (£28k)
The Vivos Group
Several resale places are available in the 10,000-square-foot complex. Each place costs just $35,000 (£28k) per person, which isn’t overly expensive, considering the underground bolthole is more like a comfortable four-star hotel than a spartan military bunker. The decor may not be completely on trend, but you probably won’t mind if you’re trying to survive.
Vivos Indiana, Indiana, USA: $35,000 (£28k)
The Vivos Group
The impressive Indiana facility can accommodate its residents for up to a year, with no need to venture up to the surface. Big on amenities, the shelter has a huge chef-style kitchen, a movie theatre, an open-plan lounge area and a whole lot more besides.
Vivos Indiana, Indiana, USA: $35,000 (£28k)
The Vivos Group
Like the other rooms in the complex, the bathrooms are full-sized, so residents don’t have to compromise on their personal hygiene. Other highlights include kennels so residents can bring their dogs, a gym area and an indoor garden for growing fresh fruit and veggies.
Vivos Indiana, Indiana, USA: $35,000 (£28k)
The Vivos Group
Customers can choose from a bunk in a shared room if they’re single or a double bed in a private room if they’re coupled up. Best of all, the bunker is stocked with vital medical supplies, enough food and fuel for a year and a well, to provide fresh water to the entire community.
Mini Bunker, available worldwide: $50,900 (£40k)
Rising S Bunkers
If you want something a little closer to home should the unthinkable happen, installing a shelter in your garden may be the way forward.
Texas-based Rising S Bunkers offers one of the most affordable options, with their Mini Bunker coming in at just $50,900 (£40k), excluding delivery and installation charges, which change depending on where in the world you are.
Mini Bunker, available worldwide: $50,900 (£40k)
Rising S Bunkers
Unlike a simple tornado shelter, the Rising S Mini Bunker is designed to protect its occupants from bomb blasts and nuclear fallout, too. The solid steel structure can be lifted into place for an instant shelter should the worst occur.
Mini Bunker, available worldwide: $50,900 (£40k)
Rising S Bunkers
Measuring just eight feet by 12 feet, the bunker offers a basic survival space that can be decorated with homely touches for a more welcoming feel. The dinky living area has an air filtration system, a bunk bed and a stove to keep residents toasty and warm in the colder months.
Mini Bunker, available worldwide: $50,900 (£40k)
Rising S Bunkers
There’s also a compact kitchen, a composting toilet and a shower unit, plus a TV/DVD system to keep the whole family entertained.
It’s worth noting that the bunkers are made to order, so buyers can select their ideal floor plan and amenities. For those with bigger budgets, Rising S provides a range of more spacious bunkers…
Mini Bunker, available worldwide: $50,900 (£40k)
Rising S Bunkers
Measuring 500 square feet, the ‘Silver Leaf’ shelter (pictured) is one of the company’s finest and the two-bedroom base model costs $145,900 (£115k).
Additionally, The Fortress, part of the company’s Xtreme Series, will set you back a cool $1.6 million (£1.3m) but for your money, you’ll gain 42 bunk beds, 15 private bedrooms, 10 bathrooms and three kitchens.
Vivos xPoint, South Dakota, USA: $55,000 (£43k)
The Vivos Group
In addition to Vivos Indiana and a secretive bunker for billionaires in Europe, Vivos also operates the world’s largest private shelter community, Vivos xPoint. Situated in remote South Dakota, on the former Black Hills Army Base, it’s one of the safest places in the world. The 18-square-mile complex is a high-altitude, non-seismic haven, located far away from any large bodies of water and known nuclear targets.
Vivos xPoint, South Dakota, USA: $55,000 (£43k)
The Vivos Group
A former army munitions depot, the community boasts 575 incredibly tough concrete military bunkers with space for 5,000 survivalists to ride out the worst. Accommodating between 10 and 24 people, each bunker was built to withstand a 500,000-pound internal blast and provide total protection from nuclear fallout. An entire bunker at Vivos xPoint is priced at $55,000 (£43k), with an annual ground rent of $1,091 (£858).
Vivos xPoint, South Dakota, USA: $55,000 (£43k)
The Vivos Group
Surprisingly spacious at up to 2,120 square feet, each bunker offers enough room to house residents in comfort for a year or more, with no need to go outside. There are also plenty of options to add luxury touches such as a mezzanine or attic, so you can ride out the end of the world like a billionaire.
Vivos xPoint, South Dakota, USA: $55,000 (£43k)
The Vivos Group
Clients can select from several floor plans, configurations and decorative options, which can include everything from a fully fitted kitchen, pool tables and plush sofas, to LED ‘windows’ that simulate outdoor views. Vivos has put together a show bunker to give buyers an idea of what they can expect. As you can see, it’s pretty swish!
Vivos xPoint, South Dakota, USA: $55,000 (£43k)
The Vivos Group
If they ever have to hunker down in their bunker, residents won’t feel like they’re roughing it. Vivos can install a proper bathroom in your shelter, complete with a spacious tub and stylish décor. Offering relative luxury on a shoestring budget, residents can even request a sizeable master bedroom, with more than enough space for a king-size bed. We can think of worse spots to shelter during an apocalypse!
Former army base units, South Dakota, USA: from $69,900 (£55k)
Keller Williams Realty Black Hills
Interestingly, two units at Vivos xPoint in South Dakota are on the wider property market – likely because someone bought them and decided to sell them off.
Located in Fall River County, the abandoned units are located on the expansive Black Hills Army Base, which was originally built by the Army Corps of Engineers, to safely store projectiles and munitions.
Former army base units, South Dakota, USA: from $69,900 (£55k)
Exit Realty Black Hills
The base was utilised between 1942 and 1967, after which it was decommissioned. Now, two vacant bunkers on the site are up for grabs. The first is priced at $69,900 (£55k) and the second at $95,000 (£75k).
Former army base units, South Dakota, USA: from $69,900 (£55k)
Keller Williams Realty Black Hills
It’s unclear why the bunkers are priced differently since they both span 2,080 square feet and are vacant and ready to be transformed into comfortable and secure shelters.
Former army base units, South Dakota, USA: from $69,900 (£55k)
Exit Realty Black Hills
Both bunkers are built into the ground, with concrete shells and ultra-secure, steel blast entrance doors that seal to stop any water, air or gas permeation. Spanning 60 by 80 feet, they have 12.5-foot high, barrel ceilings, concrete floors, air and exhaust ventilation shafts and emergency exits.
Former army base units, South Dakota, USA: from $69,900 (£55k)
Keller Williams Realty Black Hills
Total blank canvases, buyers can utilise Vivos’s interior design options to finish their bunker and a water hook-up and air filtration system is already in place. So, all you’d need to do is renovate and move in!
Modular shelter, available worldwide: from $80,000 (£63k)
Atlas Survival Shelters
Texas-based Atlas Survival Shelters offers a range of affordable steel bunkers priced from as little as $400 (£315) per square foot. The model pictured measures 10 feet by 20 feet, but unlike similar-sized designs, it contains a decontamination room – a must-have when it comes to surviving a nuclear disaster.
Modular shelter, available worldwide: from $80,000 (£63k)
Atlas Survival Shelters
Each shelter has an impenetrable gas-tight door, a state-of-the-art air filtration system, a generator pod and enough solid steel to make it impervious to bomb blasts, fire, floods and disease. Compact enough to fit in a large backyard, the shelter can be installed in no time at all. For an additional cost, Atlas can also fit out the space to the buyer’s exact requirements.
Modular shelter, available worldwide: from $80,000 (£63k)
Atlas Survival Shelters
Not so different from home sweet home, these well-appointed bunkers are as cosy as they come. Buyers can opt for a stunning fitted kitchen and diner, stylish sofas, an LED TV and DVD player, throws, cushions and other creature comforts.
Modular shelter, available worldwide: from $80,000 (£63k)
Atlas Survival Shelters
One of the biggest draws of Atlas is the company’s commitment to quality and customer satisfaction. Each shelter can be fully customised to suit your needs and style. What’s more, they are built to withstand extreme weather conditions and potential threats, making them highly durable and secure.
Modular shelter, available worldwide: from $80,000 (£63k)
Atlas Survival Shelters
A number of potentially life-saving options can be snapped up, too, for an additional charge. These include camera surveillance, short-wave radios, solar panels and, last but not least, multiple radiation detectors. There are countless models and sizes to pick from, so you’re sure to find one that meets your needs.
Base Model Bomb Shelter, available worldwide: $103,900 (£82k)
Rising S Bunkers
When survival is key, this Base Model Bomb Shelter by Rising S Bunkers is the place to hunker down. Starting at just $103,900 (£82k), the bunker has enough room for eight people to weather out the storm, whatever it may be.
Base Model Bomb Shelter, available worldwide: $103,900 (£82k)
Rising S Bunkers / YouTube
The ideal shelter for those looking to customise, the unit has everything you need for a comfortable lifestyle. After entering through the bullet-resistant door, you’ll be greeted by an open-plan layout that has plenty of space, bulk storage and shelving units.
Base Model Bomb Shelter, available worldwide: $103,900 (£82k)
Rising S Bunkers / YouTube
In these images, which imagine what the inside of the bomb shelter could look like, the small but functional kitchen boasts double counter space, along with a sink.
Base Model Bomb Shelter, available worldwide: $103,900 (£82k)
Rising S Bunkers / YouTube
The bunker comes with all the furniture you’ll need, including a small dining table, wardrobes and a fully working composting toilet. To make the space even more homely, it also boasts a painted exterior built to last 150 years.
Base Model Bomb Shelter, available worldwide: $103,900 (£82k)
Rising S Bunkers / YouTube
As well as comfortable bunks and superior interior design elements, the property is perfect for an extended stay underground, due to its off-grid elements. It comes with NBC air filtration, a water pressure pump, a greywater evacuation tank, a solar generation charging system with battery supply and a water inlet, just to name a few crucial mod-cons.
Underground prepper bunker, Missouri, USA: $284,900 (£225k)
SpecialFinds
If you’d rather buy a ready-made and lived-in bunker, then this underground prepper retreat in Missouri, USA, could well pique your interest. Listed with SpecialFinds for $284,900 (£225k), the custom-built bunker sits on 2.4 acres of land close to the city of Mountain Grove, in the Ozarks.
Underground prepper bunker, Missouri, USA: $284,900 (£225k)
SpecialFinds
The outside of the bunker sits on a small hill and looks rather unassuming, but head through the secure front door and down a set of steps and you’ll find a homely, 1,250-square-foot property that’s both ultra-private and inviting. There’s a spacious kitchen with a large pantry and dining area, three bedrooms, two full bathrooms and a laundry and storage room.
Underground prepper bunker, Missouri, USA: $284,900 (£225k)
SpecialFinds
All of the interior spaces are comfortable and traditionally decorated, so the buyer may wish to undertake a minor renovation to make the rooms a little more modern. Otherwise, it’s move-in ready and all you’ll need to do is pack your bags.
Underground prepper bunker, Missouri, USA: $284,900 (£225k)
SpecialFinds
Plus, the brilliant bunker is equipped with fresh air intake, a central heat pump, a full-size shower, a bathtub and standard toilets rather than composting models. There are also two garden sheds, an insulated garage and a 1,250-square-foot shop building – all of which could be converted into bunkers and leased out to others.
Underground prepper bunker, Missouri, USA: $284,900 (£225k)
SpecialFinds
As for outside space, the grounds come equipped with endless fruit trees, a spring-fed creek, plenty of areas for growing a garden, a 500-gallon liquid propane gas tank and an 80-foot antenna tower – so you can keep guard and ensure you never lose your all-important telecoms access.
The property is also fully fenced and includes a secure gate and security system, so you’ll be properly protected during your stay.
Underground home, Washington, USA: $400,000 (£316k)
Van Dorm Realty
If you’re yearning for a safe, self-sufficient home this property in Yelm, Washington might be the one for you. Recently listed for sale for just $400,000, the five-acre plot has gardens, pasture, chicken coops, three sheds and not one but two habitable properties – one above ground and one below.
A two-bedroom single-width mobile home sits among the multiple fruit trees. It would be easily replaceable, but as it has newer double-paned windows and a well-kept interior, a lick of paint is all it would need to make it feel like home.
Now, let’s take a look at what’s waiting underground…
Underground home, Washington, USA: $400,000 (£316k)
Van Dorm Realty
Located in woodland just a few roads back from the shores of Clear Lake, it would be easy to miss this hidden entrance. When life above ground gets a little too much, the next owner can step down into the boulder-lined passageway, through an oval door and find themselves in a fully finished underground home.
Underground home, Washington, USA: $400,000 (£316k)
Van Dorm Realty
The monolithic concrete dome was built into the hillside in 1963 and is kitted out like a classic sailing yacht.
Far from being a shelter of last resort, this subterranean gem is ready to move into at a moment’s notice and has everything you might need for a long-term – or even a permanent – stay. This cosy sitting room even has its own wood-burning stove.
Underground home, Washington, USA: $400,000 (£316k)
Van Dorm Realty
The galley kitchen has double stainless steel sinks, an oven and stovetop and plenty of storage, as well as space for a refrigerator and chest freezer. The built-in dining booth makes the perfect nook for a cosy breakfast.
There’s also a pantry with built-in shelves for food storage, a wooden countertop and space for another small refrigerator.
Underground home, Washington, USA: $400,000 (£316k)
Van Dorm Realty
Inside, the secure doors are like something you’d find on a submarine and look more than capable of keeping threats from the outside world at bay.
Elsewhere, the bedroom has a raised bed with built-in storage below – all made from the same gleaming wood that runs throughout the rest of the cabin-like home. Whoever designed this unique dwelling definitely knew how to get the most from a relatively small space – they even managed to fit in a full-sized shower/bath into the bathroom.
Self-sufficient shelter, Arkansas, USA: $495,000 (£391k)
BBB Realty
Perfect for anyone wanting to live off the grid and out of harm’s way, this property in Valley Springs, Arkansas was put on the market for $495,000 (£391k).
The sprawling 26-acre plot has just about everything you’d need to live fully sustainably, from fresh water sources to grazing – and, of course, your very own bunker.
Self-sufficient shelter, Arkansas, USA: $495,000 (£391k)
BBB Realty
Accessible by ladder, the shelter is made from eight-inch-thick poured concrete and offers 364-square-foot of living space. It’s certainly snug but it still manages to fit in everything you need to live comfortably for a while, including an air filtration system, a 48-volt solar power unit and wiring for a camera system.
The current owner has even managed to stash an exercise bike in the bedroom, so they can keep fit even with a storm raging overhead!
Self-sufficient shelter, Arkansas, USA: $495,000 (£391k)
BBB Realty
There’s also a full bathroom and a kitchen with a stove, fridge, sink and plenty of storage. A spring-fed water supply along with a 1,500-gallon water tank, a water wheel and an underground septic system all contribute to the ease of underground living.
Self-sufficient shelter, Arkansas, USA: $495,000 (£391k)
BBB Realty
Above ground, there is a 12-foot by 40-foot solar-powered greenhouse fitted with fans, auto-open windows and vents, plus angled grow beds with a drainage system. Water is supplied from a spring, but there’s also a well should the spring run dry.
Next to it, a gravel path leads to a garden surrounded by a seven-foot-high fence complete with steel gates – surely enough to keep pesky deer from nibbling your veg!
Self-sufficient shelter, Arkansas, USA: $495,000 (£391k)
BBB Realty
As well as a small livestock barn and milking stall, the property also boasts this large shed made from 26-gauge metal on a six-inch concrete base. It comes with a lean-to, attic storage and a separate enclosed room, plus a small solar backup power supply.
Elsewhere on the land, there are three springs, a fishing pond stocked with bass, pasture, woods full of game and a 400-yard shooting range with a deck.
Prepper’s paradise, Arizona, USA: $499,900 (£393k)
Realty ONE Group Mountain Desert
Over in Mohave County, Arizona, you’ll find this absolute prepper’s paradise. The 10-acre parcel is located directly off historic Route 66 and comes complete with all the essentials for seeing out a nuclear disaster. Let’s take a closer look…
Prepper’s paradise, Arizona, USA: $499,900 (£393k)
Realty ONE Group Mountain Desert
Put up for sale with Realty ONE Group Mountain Desert for $499,900 (£393k), the property provides plenty of bang for your buck. For starters, there’s a 2,431-square-foot home that was built in 2001. It benefits from three bedrooms, three bathrooms, a lounge, a dining room, a kitchen, a utility room and a two-car garage.
Built to last, the home was constructed from steel and concrete blocks. Various outbuildings could also be utilised as secure shelters.
Prepper’s paradise, Arizona, USA: $499,900 (£393k)
Realty ONE Group Mountain Desert
The estate has an expansive Quonset hut (a corrugated metal structure) which has been partitioned into three separate sections. It offers a huge greenhouse, a workshop and a subterranean bunker – that means you’ll have somewhere to grow your own food, work and live in the event of a catastrophe.
Prepper’s paradise, Arizona, USA: $499,900 (£393k)
Realty ONE Group Mountain Desert
Reinforced with sprayed concrete, the workshop sits above the bunker and has two private rooms, making it perfect as a standalone shelter. Plus, one outbuilding is equipped with an upgraded battery house, with 32 6V batteries on a 48V system that supports over 40 solar panels.
Prepper’s paradise, Arizona, USA: $499,900 (£393k)
Realty ONE Group Mountain Desert
Other highlights include the home’s corrals and chicken coop – so you could rear livestock and live off-grid. The estate also offers an old trailer that could be converted into a cool tiny home and, potentially, rented out, as well as a large outdoor orchard. Talk about made for a prepper!
Three-bedroom steel bunker, Colorado, USA: $575,000 (£454k)
Code of the West Real Estate
This 960-square-foot bunker in Gardener, Colorado sits on 40 off-grid acres and has three bedrooms that can sleep up to nine people – that’s a fair amount of space for $575,000 (£454k)!
This sheltered entryway conceals a blast door and metal staircase that leads down into the bunker below. According to the listing, there’s an additional safety hatch that can be used in emergencies.
Three-bedroom steel bunker, Colorado, USA: $575,000 (£454k)
Code of the West Real Estate
Inside, the reinforced steel bunker is painted white, which makes it feel lighter and less oppressive than you might expect from an underground dwelling.
An air system, generator and solar power/battery room all combine to provide essential life support.
Three-bedroom steel bunker, Colorado, USA: $575,000 (£454k)
Code of the West Real Estate
The brand-new kitchen has lots of storage space, a stainless steel sink and space for a stove and refrigerator. There’s also a full bathroom complete with a shower/bath.
The bunker has a septic system, a water room, which is connected to a nearby permitted well, and a creek that runs through the property so owners will have access to plenty of fresh water.
Three-bedroom steel bunker, Colorado, USA: $575,000 (£454k)
Code of the West Real Estate
Three bedrooms offer a mix of metal bed frames and fold-down metal bunks and each room offers a decent amount of basic storage. One of the bedrooms even contains a small secure vault.
Three-bedroom steel bunker, Colorado, USA: $575,000 (£454k)
Code of the West Real Estate
Above ground, there’s a large meadow with the potential to build above-ground structures, which is quite a tempting prospect considering the incredible views of the Sangre de Cristo mountains that lie beyond.
There’s also a handy shed, and while this 40-acre property is off-grid, power lies about half a mile away, so hooking up to the grid could be possible.