When most people think of billionaires, they imagine sprawling estates, multiple vacation homes, and luxurious penthouses scattered across the world. But Elon Musk, the world’s richest man, is not like most billionaires. Despite a fortune that has soared beyond $400 billion thanks to his ventures with Tesla, SpaceX, and AI-driven technology, Musk has taken a very different approach to real estate. The story of Elon Musk’s house is not about excess but about unconventional choices that continue to surprise the public.
In fact, Elon Musk’s living arrangements have been discussed almost as much as his unusual involvement with the White House era, when he briefly worked in Washington as a “special government employee” under President Donald Trump. While he later stepped away, his name became attached to both the nation’s political center and the tiny Texas homes where he actually resides. This unusual contrast, between the White House and a foldable prefab home, makes his story one of the most intriguing among the world’s billionaires.
Selling Seven Mansions for “Freedom”
Back in 2020, Musk shocked the world when he announced on Twitter that he would be selling nearly all his possessions, including his homes. True to his word, he listed seven properties across California valued at more than $100 million combined. When pressed for a reason, Musk’s one-word answer was “freedom.”
Among these properties was a 16,251-square-foot Bel-Air mansion that sold for $29 million, complete with a wine cellar, home theater, tennis court, and two-story library.
Another famous property was the former home of actor Gene Wilder, which Musk sold back to Wilder’s family for $7 million under the condition it would never be torn down. His final California sale was a Mediterranean-style estate in Silicon Valley, which went for $40.8 million in 2021.
For a man worth billions, shedding such real estate seemed bizarre, but Musk insisted that his focus was on bigger missions, not mansions.
Elon Musk’s Tiny House in Boca Chica
After offloading his lavish homes, Musk moved into what he reportedly called a “spartan” residence: a Boxabl tiny house near SpaceX’s headquarters in Boca Chica, Texas. Measuring only 20×20 feet, this prefabricated unit functioned like a compact studio apartment, with a small living area, kitchen, bathroom, and sleeping space.
In 2020, Musk decided to sell his five grand houses and to have as his primary residence this spartan two-bedroom house in Boca Chica, TX, where we would meet and he would sit at this wood table and make phone calls. In my forthcoming bio, I explain why. pic.twitter.com/mLsAgdOdY1
— Walter Isaacson (@WalterIsaacson) August 6, 2023
Musk’s biographer, Walter Isaacson, confirmed that Musk often used this tiny house as his main residence, describing it as uncluttered and minimal. The billionaire himself seemed to relish the contrast, especially given that his ultimate dream involves humanity living on Mars. Downsizing from a mansion to a foldable prefab house was a symbolic step toward a life less tethered to Earthly luxuries.
The Humble Ranch and Family Compound Rumors
Not long after, Musk revealed that he was also living in a modest three-bedroom ranch, valued around $50,000, which he rented from SpaceX. The house was located near Starbase, the company’s launch site, allowing Musk to stay close to the action.
But rumors soon swirled of something much grander—a potential family compound in Austin. Reports suggested Musk purchased multiple properties worth $35 million, including a Tuscan villa and a six-bedroom mansion, with the aim of housing his 11 children and their mothers in close proximity. While such claims fueled intrigue, Musk later denied the existence of any such, brushing it off as speculation.
Why Was Elon Musk In The White House?
Elon Musk, who was granted special government employee status to lead the Department of Government Efficiency, has announced that his time in the Trump administration has come “to an end.”
Details: pic.twitter.com/ilqkAsxwOc
— CNN Breaking News (@cnnbrk) May 29, 2025
When you hear the phrases Elon Musk and White House used together, you should knoe it refers to Musk’s real, if unusual, role inside the Trump administration. Musk was appointed a “special government employee,” working for the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), an initiative aimed at reducing federal spending.
During his time in Washington, Musk pledged to cut wasteful government spending and even targeted trillions in savings. However, his tenure quickly became controversial. Federal job cuts, employee reinstatements ordered by judges, and clashes with Trump officials turned Musk into a lightning rod. By mid-2025, Elon Musk announced his exit from the White House role, saying he would return full-time to his companies.
His White House experience, brief as it was, added another layer of complexity to Musk’s public life. Here was a man living in a tiny prefab house in Texas, yet simultaneously working in the halls of power in Washington.
Building His Own City: Starbase
And Elon Musk did
Starbase is officially a city. pic.twitter.com/uhDb0pp9zO
— Tesla Owners Silicon Valley (@teslaownersSV) May 4, 2025
Instead of focusing on a single home, Musk seems more interested in reshaping communities entirely. In South Texas, near Boca Chica Beach, Musk has been laying the groundwork for Starbase, a company town that could one day function as its own city. With SpaceX employees and families already living in nearby housing, petitions have been filed to incorporate Starbase officially.
This move highlights Musk’s forward-thinking philosophy: while the average billionaire builds estates, Musk builds cities. And in this sense, Elon Musk’s house might be better described as an entire town dedicated to his vision of the future.
The Mansion with the 16-Foot Fence
Despite his claims of minimalism, Musk hasn’t fully left traditional luxury behind. In 2022, he quietly purchased a 6,900-square-foot mansion in West Lake Hills, Texas. However, the property soon became controversial after he installed a 16-foot chain-link fence without permits, violating local ordinances. Neighbors complained about increased traffic and the imposing barrier, leading to months of legal disputes with the city council.
The incident revealed Musk’s paradoxical nature: while he publicly embraces minimal living, he still gravitates toward properties that spark attention and conflict. This home, surrounded by security cameras and guarded gates, feels far removed from the cozy Boxabl tiny home narrative.
Conclusion
Whether it’s the prefabricated Boxabl tiny home, the modest Boca Chica ranch, the rumored Austin compound, or the controversial mansion with its towering fence, the story of Elon Musk’s house is far from straightforward. Adding to this is his short-lived stint in the Elon Musk White House, where he helped lead a government cost-cutting initiative before stepping away.
For Musk, homes are not just places to live, they’re statements. Sometimes it’s about freedom, sometimes about focus, and other times about ambition. And perhaps that’s fitting for a man whose ultimate “house” may one day be on Mars.
Featured image: Google Maps
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