Elon Musk isn’t just known for launching rockets into space or building electric cars — he also made headlines for the many incredible houses he once owned. From grand mansions in Bel-Air to a tiny prefab home near SpaceX headquarters, Musk’s real estate journey reflects both his ambition and his evolving minimalist lifestyle. Elon Musk, the billionaire Tesla and SpaceX CEO tweeted that he would be “selling their all physical possessions. Will own no house.” A few days later, he listed four stunning and luxurious mansions in the USA for sale for a total of $137 million.
Let’s take a look at the homes Elon Musk has called his own — and the surprising shift that led him to sell nearly all of them.
1. The Bel-Air Estate – Elon Musk’s Main Residence for Years
Back in 2012, Musk bought his first major property — a stunning Bel-Air mansion overlooking the exclusive Bel-Air Country Club in Los Angeles. He had actually been renting it before deciding to purchase it for around $17 million.
This 16,000+ square-foot home had everything: 7 bedrooms, 11 bathrooms, a two-story library, wine cellar, home theater and even a tennis court. It was Musk’s primary residence for several years and the most “traditional” of his homes in terms of luxury.
He later sold it in 2020 for around $29 million.
2. Elon Musk’s The Gene Wilder House – A Nostalgic Nod to Hollywood
Just down the street from his mansion, Musk bought a charming mid-century home once owned by actor Gene Wilder. It’s small by billionaire standards — about 2,800 square feet — but it held sentimental value.
Musk purchased it in 2013 for $6.75 million, and even used it as a private school called “Ad Astra” for his children and a few others. When he sold it in 2020, he insisted that whoever bought it must keep its “soul” intact — a rare, personal touch.
3. The Bel-Air Portfolio – A Billionaire’s Compound
Between 2015 and 2017, Musk went on a bit of a real estate spree, buying four more homes in the same Bel-Air neighborhood. These weren’t just investments — it seemed like he was building a private compound.
Each property had its own appeal: one was ultra-modern with a boomerang shape, another was more traditional but tech-enhanced with smart lighting and automation.
By 2020, he put them all up for sale as part of his mission to “own no house.”
4. Elon Musk’s The Hillsborough Mansion – Northern California Royalty
Situated on 47 acres of land near San Jose, Elon Musk’s Hillsborough estate is a 100-year-old mansion that exudes historic charm and grandeur. The property features 9 bedrooms and 9.5 bathrooms, and its expansive layout includes everything from scenic hiking trails and lush canyons to a grand ballroom and a private reservoir—perfectly reflecting Musk’s affinity for spacious, nature-connected living.
After nearly a year of offloading his real estate holdings, this estate stands as Musk’s final remaining property. Originally listed for $35 million in May 2020, the listing has since been removed. However, reports suggest it may soon return to the market, marking the final chapter in Musk’s mission to unburden himself of material possessions.
5. Elon Musk’s The Brentwood Smart Home – Sleek and Sustainable
Before he fully embraced minimalism, Musk also owned a sleek modern home in Brentwood, a quiet upscale neighborhood on LA’s west side.
He bought this one in 2014 for $3.7 million. It had clean architectural lines, floor-to-ceiling glass, drought-tolerant landscaping, and smart systems that matched his eco-conscious values. He sold it in 2019 for a small profit.
6. The $50K Boxabl Home – Elon Musk’s Tiny House in Texas
After selling all of his multi-million-dollar mansions, Musk revealed he was living in a $50,000 prefab “Boxabl Casita” near SpaceX HQ in Boca Chica, Texas.
The home is just 375 square feet, with a kitchen, bathroom, bed, and living space — all in one compact studio layout. It’s transportable, energy-efficient, and totally aligned with Musk’s minimalist lifestyle.
It might sound crazy, but for Musk, it’s all about focusing on Mars, AI, and the future — not material stuff.
Why Did Elon Musk Sell All His Homes?
In 2020, Musk tweeted that he was selling “almost all physical possessions” and would “own no house.” True to his word, he sold every one of his properties in the following year or so.
His reason? He said he wanted fewer distractions and more liquidity to fund his mission to get humans to Mars.
Love him or not, it’s hard not to be fascinated by that level of personal transformation.
From sprawling mansions in California to a humble tiny home in Texas, Elon Musk’s housing story is a reflection of a man constantly evolving. Whether building empires or downsizing to live more simply, Musk’s real estate journey is as bold and unconventional as the man himself.
