Elon Musk is worth an estimated $659B–$788B (May 2026), making him the richest person in the world. So where does he sleep at night?
Not in a mansion. Not in a penthouse. The richest person on the planet is closely linked to a tiny $50,000 prefab house near a rocket launchpad in South Texas.
People have been talking about it for years, and the confusion around his Austin properties only adds to the mystery.
Here is a clear, straightforward breakdown of where Elon Musk actually lives, what his Texas homes look like, and why his living situation is so different from what you would expect.
Where Does Elon Musk Live Now?
Elon Musk moved from California to Texas around 2020. He made it very public. Musk publicly criticized California’s taxes and regulations while announcing his move to Texas.
He wanted to be closer to his companies, mainly SpaceX and Tesla, both of which had moved to Texas.
His main base is near Boca Chica, a small coastal area in South Texas. This is where SpaceX runs its Starbase launch facility. Musk lives close to the launchpad, which makes sense since SpaceX is one of his biggest priorities.
On May 20, 2025, Starbase was formally incorporated as a city after about 200 of the 283 eligible residents voted in favor of the proposal. Musk also registered to vote there.
Does Elon Musk Live in Austin?
Yes and no. Musk does not live in Austin full-time, but he has strong ties to the city. Tesla moved its headquarters to Austin in 2021.
His other companies, including The Boring Company and xAI, also have a presence in the region.
Reports in 2024 linked him to multiple properties in the Austin area, worth around $35 million. But he has not confirmed Austin as his main home. Boca Chica near Starbase is still where he spends most of his time.
Elon Musk House Austin: What We Know About His Austin Properties
Although Musk often talks about living modestly, reports tied to Austin paint a more complicated picture. Several investigations and property records have fueled speculation about how much real estate he actually controls in Texas.
The Austin Mansion Reports
In October 2024, The New York Times reported that Musk had purchased multiple properties in Austin for around $35 million.
The report said the properties were intended to serve as a family compound for housing his children (now 14) and their mothers. According to the outlet, the setup included a 14,400-square-foot Tuscan-style villa, a six-bedroom mansion, and another house nearby.
One of his partners, Shivon Zilis, an executive at Neuralink, reportedly already lives at the compound with their children.
Musk denied the reports shortly after. He told Page Six that he does not own a compound in Austin and that no grand family home was built or planned.
Some reports also connected the Austin properties to a Justice Department investigation into whether Tesla resources were used for a proposed glasshouse project linked to Musk. Musk denied the claims and said he was not building a personal house.
Why Austin Became Elon Musk’s Base
Even if Musk does not live there full-time, Austin matters a lot to him. Tesla’s headquarters moved to Austin in 2021. xAI, The Boring Company, and other ventures also operate nearby.
Austin has grown rapidly into a tech hub, and Texas as a whole offers a much friendlier business environment than California.
Elon Musk’s West Lake Hills and Austin Real Estate Rumors
Reports have linked Musk to properties in West Lake Hills, a quiet suburb just outside Austin. One report mentioned a $6.24 million home enclosed by a tall fence, and another mentioned a $35 million villa within a compound.
Neighbors in the area have complained about unpermitted fences, heavy security presence, and rotating security staff throughout the day.
Musk has not confirmed or denied most of these specific property details. Exact information stays unclear, likely for safety and privacy reasons.
Elon Musk’s Tiny House in Boca Chica, Texas
What makes Musk’s housing story so unusual is how far it differs from the typical billionaire lifestyle. Instead of buying massive estates, he publicly embraced a compact prefab home near SpaceX’s launch site.
The $50,000 Boxabl Home
This is the part that surprises people the most. Although often described as Musk’s home, the Boxabl Casita is reportedly used more as a guesthouse near SpaceX’s Starbase facility.
The house is made by a company called Boxabl. The model is called the Casita. It is a small, foldable home that gets delivered on a truck and can be set up in under an hour.
The Casita is 375 square feet, which is roughly the size of a one-car garage. It measures 20 feet by 20 feet and has 9.5-foot-high ceilings. It comes with a kitchen, a bathroom, a sleeping area, and a small living space, all packed into one compact unit.
The walls are made of magnesium oxide panels that resist fire, mold, and water. The roof uses TPO, a material that performs well in rain and snow. The home also uses LED lighting and energy-efficient appliances to keep utility costs low.
Why Elon Musk Chose a Small Home
Musk has been open about this. In 2021, he tweeted that his primary home is a roughly $50,000 house in Boca Chica that he rents from SpaceX.
He said it was awesome. The choice is mainly about staying close to work. The house sits minutes away from SpaceX’s launchpads. Less commute means more time focused on what matters to him.
He has also spoken about wanting to own as little as possible. Back in 2020, he posted on X saying he would sell almost all his physical possessions and own no house. That statement matched his actions, at least publicly.
Musk later clarified that the Boxabl unit is mainly used as a guesthouse, while his primary residence is a nearby SpaceX rental home that he modified into a three-bedroom house.
Inside Elon Musk’s Boca Chica House
The layout is simple and open. There is a small seating area with a sofa and a coffee table. The kitchen has modern appliances, including a fridge, oven, dishwasher, and microwave.
The sleeping area has a bed tucked into one section of the space. The whole thing is done in neutral, clean tones.
Musk has also mentioned that he uses the Boxabl as a guesthouse at times, while staying in a slightly larger rented home nearby that he converted from a two-bedroom to a three-bedroom by turning the garage into an extra room.
Why Did Elon Musk Leave California?
California’s high income taxes and stricter business regulations were major reasons behind Elon Musk’s move to Texas.
With no state income tax and lower operating costs, Texas offered a much more business-friendly environment for both his companies and personal finances.
In 2020, Musk also sold off his California real estate portfolio, including Multiple Bel-Air properties worth around $130 million combined.
After downsizing and leaving California behind, he shifted both his business operations and personal life to Texas.
Elon Musk’s Real Estate Timeline
Musk’s housing journey has changed dramatically over the years. From luxury California mansions to a small home near SpaceX, his real estate timeline is anything but typical.
- Before 2020: Musk owned several California mansions in Bel-Air and the Bay Area, worth around $130 million combined
- 2020: He announces plans to sell all properties and own no home; lists seven California homes for sale
- 2020-2021: Moves to Texas; declares himself a Texas resident; Tesla and SpaceX operations shift to the state
- 2021: Musk says his primary residence is a small rented SpaceX home near Boca Chica and later clarifies that the Boxabl Casita is mainly used as a guesthouse.
- Late 2022: Musk sells his final California property, a 16,000-square-foot Bay Area events mansion, for $32 million (listed at $31.99M)
- 2024: Reports emerge of $35 million in property purchases in Austin; Musk denies compound claims
- May 2025: Boca Chica area officially becomes the city of Starbase, where Musk is a registered voter
Musk’s housing journey has changed dramatically over the years. From luxury California mansions to a small home near SpaceX, his real estate timeline is anything but typical.
Does Elon Musk Actually Own a House?
In 2020, Elon Musk said he was selling nearly all his possessions and would “I Will Own No House,” statement. He sold his California properties and claimed a small rented home near SpaceX’s Boca Chica launch site as his main residence.
I am selling almost all physical possessions. Will own no house.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) May 1, 2020
However, later reports suggested that Austin-area properties may have been purchased through LLCs connected to him.
While Musk denied owning a large Austin compound, property records and investigative reports indicate he likely controls multiple real estate assets through private entities for security and privacy reasons.
Why Elon Musk’s Living Situation Gets So Much Attention
Musk’s home life attracts attention for reasons that go far beyond real estate. The mix of extreme wealth, privacy, and minimalism keeps people constantly curious about how he actually lives.
- Elon Musk’s living situation stands out because, despite being one of the richest people in the world, he claims to live in a small, relatively modest home rather than multiple luxury mansions.
- His exact residence is difficult to confirm due to privacy and security concerns. Reports of heavily secured properties in the Austin area suggest significant efforts to protect his personal life.
- Musk’s minimalist lifestyle also strengthens his public image. Living in a tiny house supports the idea that he is focused more on building companies and long-term missions than on personal luxury, which keeps people talking about his lifestyle.
Whether the minimalist image is completely genuine or partly strategic, it has clearly worked. Few billionaires generate as much interest from a simple house as Elon Musk does
Final Thoughts
Elon Musk lives primarily near Boca Chica, Texas, in a small rented house steps away from SpaceX.
Austin matters to him, too, mostly for business and family reasons, but it is not his main base. He sold his California mansions, moved to Texas, and chose a simpler setup that keeps him close to his work.
Some details about his properties stay private on purpose. But one thing is clear: the richest person alive picked a $50,000 tiny home over a sprawling estate. That choice, real or carefully crafted, tells you a lot about how Elon Musk operates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Elon Musk Pay Rent for His Tiny House?
Yes, Musk has said that the small Boca Chica home is rented from SpaceX rather than owned by him personally. The arrangement keeps him close to the company’s launch operations and facilities.
What is Boxabl, the Company Behind Elon Musk’s House?
Boxabl is a startup that builds foldable prefab homes designed for fast assembly and lower housing costs. Its Casita model became widely known after reports connected it to Musk’s living situation.
Why is Boca Chica Now Called Starbase?
In 2025, residents in the area voted to incorporate the community as the city of Starbase officially. The move reflected the growing influence of SpaceX and the rapid development around its launch facility.
