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Everyone knows Elon Musk for rockets, electric cars, and grand visions for Mars. But ever since he started talking about getting rid of almost all his houses, people have been curious, Where does Elon Musk actually live now, What kinds of homes has he owned? What do his choices say about him?
I’ll take you on a full tour of Musk living choices. We’ll compare what he had, what he has now, and what’s unusual or revealing about his decisions. I’ll also compare this to what other articles miss, so you’re getting fresh, deeper info not just the same recycled facts.
Elon Musk Housing Journey
Luxurious Homes & Big Estates
Elon Musk property portfolio once included several lavish mansions, especially in California. Some of the key features of these homes were massive size, elaborate architecture, huge amenities, and deep rooted in celebrity culture.
- In Bel-Air, Los Angeles, Musk owned a large mansion (over 20,000 sq ft), with multiple bedrooms and bathrooms, scenic views, open floor plans, modern design touches. These homes had big kitchens, home theaters, pools, tennis courts.
- He also owned the former home of actor Gene Wilder in Bel-Air. That house later was used as part of his children’s schooling (Ad Astra). There was a clause when he sold the Wilder house: it couldn’t lose its soul, or be torn down.
- The famous Hillsborough mansion near San Jose: historic, large acreage (many acres), multiple bedrooms, bathrooms, walking trails, and nature-like surroundings.
These homes show a phase of Musk’s life when owning property reflected status, family stability, and perhaps lifestyle of a more “typical” billionaire.
The Turning Point Selling & Promise to Own No House
Around 2020, Musk made a public pledge: he was going to sell most of his physical possessions and own no home. That marked a change in his public identity moving from “billionaire with many big houses” to someone trying to simplify.
Current Homes & Lifestyle: The Small House, Ranch, Texas Base
Now, Musk’s main living choices look very different:
- A modest ranch house near Boca Chica, Texas (SpaceX’s Starbase launch site). Three bedrooms, single story, valued at around $50,000, sometimes considered rented from SpaceX.
- A prefabricated tiny house, from Boxabl (the Casita model), used as a guest house but sometimes reported as his residence. About $50,000, around 375 sq ft. It includes a kitchen, bathroom, foldable/travel-friendly design etc.
- Ownership of a house in Austin (2022) via a legal entity (LLC) for privacy. Some sources say he bought it for security reasons.
Unique Features & Values Behind His Choices
What makes Musk’s living choices unusual are not just what he owns, but why and how:
- Proximity to work & operations: Living near SpaceX’s Starbase in Texas seems more than convenience—he is often on site, launches are happening, tests underway. The tiny/prefab home and the ranch are close to where his work is happening.
- Minimalism and decluttering: The pledge to shed possessions, owning fewer homes, choosing smaller structures suggests Musk values focus, less distraction. It echoes ideas from other “live small / less stuff” philosophies.
- Privacy & security: The West Lake Hills fence controversy shows that Musk takes privacy seriously, willing to clash with neighbors or local regulation. Also, using rental or corporate-owned property (SpaceX owns some) gives him flexibility and some cover.
- Sustainability and innovation: Using solar roof tiles, efficient homes (tiny/prefab), possibly minimal energy consumption. He tends to choose technologies and designs that reflect experiments or values he pursues in business.
- Sentimentality and legacy: The clause about preserving Gene Wilder’s home shows he cares about more than money: preserving “soul,” history.
What New / Less Covered
To go beyond what competitors generally write, here are newer or less well known insights:
- Recent court records (2024-2025) reveal Musk owns more than one property in the Austin area, though he continues to maintain the story of “owning no house” for public or strategic reasons.
- Samara tiny home consideration: A prefabricated housing startup called Samara (founded by a former Airbnb designer) offers tiny homes between $269,000-$414,000. Musk reportedly considered buying one. This shows his interest in more modular/prefab housing is not just about the Boxabl casita but exploring newer innovations.
- Home address used for voting vs actual living: The voting record and local documents show Musk has listed his Texas address (the ranch) as his voting residence. But he also rotates among properties for security and practical purposes.
- Legal and zoning friction: The fence issue in West Lake Hills isn’t just a minor neighbor quarrel. It illustrates the tension between being wealthy/high-profile and obeying local rules. Musk sought variances, faced public commission hearings. Architectural Digest+1
- Use of property by others (not just himself): Some of the properties he owned (Gene Wilder’s, for example) have been used for other purposes—private schools, educational purposes. It suggests his homes beyond just living, have had purposeful design or usage.
How Elon Musk Housing Reflects His Personality & Priorities
Putting together all this info, we can see that Musk’s home choices are not random. They align with several consistent traits and priorities of his.
Work First, Home Second
Elon Musk is famous for working long hours, being hands-on with operations. For him, being close to major work sites (SpaceX Starbase, his factories) matters. Owning a huge mansion far away would be less helpful.
Minimal Distractions Focus on Purpose
Selling many homes, owning only modest primary residences, choosing prefabricated or smaller home guides all suggest an effort to reduce distractions. Owning less means fewer maintenance issues, less time managing property, more flexibility.
Innovation & Experimentation
His choice of tiny/prefab homes (Boxabl, possibly Samara), using solar roof tiles, efficient designs—these aren’t just cost savings, they align with his brands’ values. It’s like his housing is another lab for innovation.
Public Messaging Symbolism
When you say “I will own no home,” that’s a strong statement. It helps reinforce image: a visionary not attached to material wealth. When you preserve the Wilder home’s “soul,” that shows a concern for heritage. The minimalist decision grabs attention in wealthy circles and media.
Privacy, Security, Flexibility
Musk often uses LLCs, corporate ownership, rental-type arrangements. He builds fences, cameras. He doesn’t seem to want fans or paparazzi near. Also flexibility: moving between places, living where work demands, not anchored to one massive estate.
FAQs
Q: Does Elon Musk still own a mansion?
A: As of mid-2025, most of his big mansions (especially those in California) are sold. He still owns some smaller properties (ranch house in Texas, perhaps houses in Austin via LLCs), but nothing like the 20,000+ sq ft Bel Air palace era.
Q: Where does he really live now?
A: He spends a lot of time in Texas: near Boca Chica (Starbase) in the ranch house, plus possible stays in prefabricated homes (Boxabl guest house) and in Austin properties.
Q: Why did he sell all those houses?
A: Multiple reasons: to simplify life, to reduce distraction, for freedom (his own word), to align with values like minimalism, and perhaps to focus resources (money, time) on his companies and his missions.
Q: Is his current living situation comfortable?
A: “Comfortable” is relative. The ranch is modest but usable. The prefab or tiny houses are small but efficient. He seems okay with a less luxurious vibe in favor of freedom, efficiency, and being closer to work.
Q: What are the legal issues he’s faced?
A: One major issue is a fence in West Lake Hills, Texas: he erected a tall chain-link fence/gate without proper permits. Neighbors complained. He sought variances. There was a public hearing. Some variances were approved; parts of the issue became controversial.
Q: Does he use green/sustainable technology in his homes?
A: Yes: solar tiles are reported on his Texas ranch house. The tiny homes/prefabs are more efficient, use prefab / factory construction, which often reduces waste. His homes are simpler, which generally means less energy, less upkeep.
Conclusion
Elon Musk’s housing story is less about luxury and more about purpose. By trading mansions for modest homes and prefabs, he shows that even one of the world’s richest men values simplicity, focus, and innovation over extravagance. His choices reflect his work-first mindset, his commitment to sustainability, and his desire for flexibility, proving that “home” can be more about function and vision than size or price tag.