The $50,000 Secret: Where Does Elon Musk Live Now (And Why He Sold His $175M Mansions)?

The question of where the world's wealthiest individuals reside often conjures images of sprawling estates, private islands, and opulent mansions. However, as of late 2024 and heading into 2025, the answer for tech titan Elon Musk is far more surprising and unconventional: a modest, prefabricated tiny home in South Texas. This radical shift from a multi-million-dollar California real estate empire to a minimalist rental near his SpaceX facility is central to understanding the billionaire's unique, work-first philosophy and his vision for a future on Mars.

This article provides the definitive, up-to-date look at Elon Musk's current living situation, detailing the specific type of home he occupies, the massive $175 million portfolio he liquidated, and the persistent rumors of a private compound in Austin. This move from Bel Air to Boca Chica is not just a change of address; it’s a profound statement on his priorities, cementing his image as the ultimate "billionaire minimalist."

Elon Musk: A Brief Biography and Real Estate Timeline

Before diving into the details of his current residence, it is essential to contextualize the man and his unprecedented professional journey, which directly influences his housing choices.

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• Full Name: Elon Reeve Musk
• Date of Birth: June 28, 1971
• Place of Birth: Pretoria, South Africa
• Nationality: South African, Canadian, and American
• Education: University of Pennsylvania (B.A. in Physics and B.S. in Economics)
• Key Companies Founded/Co-Founded: Zip2, X.com (later PayPal), SpaceX, Tesla, The Boring Company, Neuralink, X (formerly Twitter), xAI.
• Stated Real Estate Philosophy: To "own no house" and dedicate his life and resources to his primary goals, namely accelerating the transition to sustainable energy (Tesla) and making humanity multi-planetary (SpaceX).
• Key Real Estate Events:
  • 2020: Announces he will sell "almost all physical possessions," including his California homes.
  • June 2020 – December 2021: Sells all seven of his California properties, netting approximately $175 million.
  • 2021: Confirms his primary residence is a ~$50,000 rental home in Texas.
  • 2022-2024: Continues to live in Texas, close to the Starbase launch facility.

The Shocking Truth: Elon Musk's Current Primary Residence is a $50,000 Boxabl Casita

In a move that stunned the world, Elon Musk confirmed that his primary residence is a tiny, prefabricated house located in Boca Chica, Texas. This location is strategically chosen, sitting mere minutes from the SpaceX Starbase facility, the launch site for the Starship program.

The Boxabl Casita: A Look Inside the Billionaire's Minimalist Home

Musk does not own the home; he rents it directly from his company, SpaceX. The specific model is widely reported to be a Boxabl Casita, a 375-square-foot modular unit designed for affordable, quick-assembly housing.

The Casita, which costs approximately $50,000 to manufacture, is a stark contrast to the opulence associated with a man whose net worth fluctuates in the hundreds of billions. The entire unit is a studio apartment, featuring a full-sized kitchen, a bathroom with a shower, a living area, and a separate sleeping space.

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Key features of the Boxabl Casita:

• Size: 375-400 square feet (20 feet by 20 feet).
• Cost: Approximately $50,000 (excluding land and installation).
• Type: Foldable, prefabricated modular home.
• Location: Boca Chica, Texas, near SpaceX Starbase.
• Purpose: Allows Musk to be physically present at the Starbase facility, maximizing his time on the Starship project.

This decision aligns with his stated philosophy: "I find that I spend all my time on the work. I don't need a fancy house." This focus on productivity and a rejection of materialism is a core component of his personal brand and business drive.

The Liquidation of the $175 Million California Real Estate Empire

Musk’s current minimalist lifestyle only makes sense when viewed against the backdrop of the massive real estate portfolio he systematically liquidated. Between June 2020 and December 2021, he sold all seven of his luxurious California properties for a total of roughly $175 million.

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The Final Sale: The Hillsborough Estate

The capstone of his property divestment was the sale of his last remaining residential property: the historic de Guigne estate in Hillsborough, California. This massive, 47-acre property, which he had initially listed for $37.5 million, finally sold for $30 million in December 2021. The 16,000-square-foot mansion, built in 1912, was reportedly the only home he had left, and its sale finalized his promise to "own no house."

The sale of this estate, along with his other Bel Air mansions—including the former home of actor Gene Wilder—marked a complete, literal break from the traditional trappings of billionaire wealth.

The Austin Question: Rumors of a Secret Texas Compound

While Musk insists his primary residence is the Boxabl Casita in Boca Chica, his move to Texas has been accompanied by persistent and conflicting reports regarding a significant real estate presence in the Austin area. Austin is home to the Tesla Gigafactory and the headquarters of The Boring Company, making it another crucial hub for his business operations.

The Denied $35 Million Compound

Reports emerged suggesting Musk was secretly planning a massive, $35 million "compound" in the Austin area to serve as a family base, given his multiple children and co-parents. However, Musk has explicitly denied these claims, stating he is not building a compound and continues to live in a low-key home near Brownsville (Boca Chica).

Despite his denial, public records and local reports indicate that Musk has purchased at least one significant property—a $6 million home in West Lake Hills, an affluent Austin suburb. This property has reportedly been the source of local controversy, with neighbors complaining about unauthorized construction, excessive security, and zoning issues, suggesting a substantial, albeit unconfirmed, development is underway.

The truth likely lies in a nuanced reality: Musk's primary, day-to-day residence is the humble rental near Starbase, allowing him to be hands-on with the Starship mission. However, his business and family ties necessitate a more substantial, though officially downplayed, base in the Austin metropolitan area for his other ventures, Tesla and The Boring Company.

Elon Musk's Real Estate Philosophy: Focus on Mars, Not Mansions

The question of "where does Elon Musk live" is less about geography and more about ideology. His decision to shed nearly all material possessions is a powerful reflection of his stated life's mission: to make humanity a multi-planetary species.

By living in a minimalist, temporary structure, Musk sends a clear message to his employees, investors, and the public: his time and capital are entirely focused on the future of his companies, especially SpaceX and its Mars colonization goal. The Boxabl Casita is, in essence, a practical, high-efficiency dwelling unit—a prototype of the kind of housing that might be necessary for a future Martian colony.

This "billionaire minimalist" approach is a calculated move to prioritize innovation and focus over luxury, setting a unique example in the world of ultra-wealthy entrepreneurs. It serves as a constant reminder that for Elon Musk, Earth is merely a launchpad, and his true long-term residence is still under construction—on another planet.