30+ Millionaires Who Surprisingly Live In Simple Houses

Despite having a net worth of $116 billion, Mark Zuckerberg, the founder of social media giant Facebook, is satisfied with living in a “quaint” home in Palo Alto, California. The house, which cost $7 million, is located in one of the most expensive areas in Silicon Valley. However, don’t be fooled by the seemingly modest price tag. Zuckerberg has also spent over $50 million acquiring neighboring properties, which he then demolishes to build smaller houses, enhancing privacy for his family. This arrangement creates a cozy and secure environment for Zuckerberg, his wife, and their two children.

Daniel Norris, a Major League Baseball player, stands out when it comes to celebrities who live in small spaces. Despite receiving a $2 million signing bonus when drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in 2011, Norris opted to live in his mustard yellow Volkswagen Van during training camp. Many believed he would eventually outgrow this lifestyle, but even at the age of 32 and with an annual salary of $3,480,000, the pitcher continues to choose van life. He has embraced this unconventional lifestyle because he has developed a fondness for the “dirtbag lifestyle.”

Riley Keough, a renowned model and actress, happens to be the eldest granddaughter of the legendary Elvis Presley. With a personal net worth of around $6 million, one might assume she lives in a grand residence befitting her heritage. However, Riley and her husband chose a more understated option. They purchased a beautiful 1920s Tudor cottage in L.A. for $1.3 million. This 1,200-square-foot cottage retains its charming character despite being upgraded with modern amenities like central heating and air conditioning.

Matthew McConaughey, known for his successful acting career, achieved even greater recognition when he won an Academy Award in 2014. Despite his net worth of $140 million, it was only after becoming a family man that he decided to leave behind his trailer lifestyle. Rather than buying a lavish castle, McConaughey found joy in living in a modest 28-square-foot 2004 Airstream trailer equipped with a satellite on the roof and a barbecue out back. Although he now resides in a traditional house with his wife and children, McConaughey repurchased his old trailer and keeps it next to the Santa Monica boardwalk as a place to relax and unwind.

For nearly two decades, Elliott Page has been making a name for himself through his acting career, producing films, and being in the headlines. Despite his fame and success, Page has remained grounded and avoided reckless spending. Even with a $12 million net worth, he chose to live in a modest $885,000 home in Studio City, Los Angeles, which he purchased in 2011. However, in 2014, he sold that home for $1.05 million and upgraded to Venus Williams’ former residence in the Hollywood Hills, which he bought for a little over $2 million. Considering the prime location, it was still a reasonable purchase for Page.

Despite Kesha’s reputation for her wild antics and partying persona, her Nashville home presents a different picture. The serene and tranquil abode, which she listed for $1.45 million, reflects a Zen-inspired renovation. Situated on a one-acre property surrounded by Forest Acres, the house features a wraparound deck, fountain, and pool. With four bedrooms, 4.5 bathrooms, and a size of 4,761 square feet, it is not the extravagant mansion typically associated with pop stars. Kesha’s Nashville home provides a peaceful retreat from the fast-paced music industry.

Chrissy Teigen and John Legend resided in a midcentury modern home in the Hollywood Hills for approximately seven years. While they currently live in a $23 million mansion, their previous residence was valued at $2.495 million. The three-bedroom home spanned 2,200 square feet and underwent a complete renovation under Teigen and Legend’s ownership. The house boasted a state-of-the-art recording studio, beautiful landscaping, and serene decor. In 2014, the couple sold the property, which has recently been listed by the new owner for the same price. Considering its location in the Hills, it is a decent value.

Gwyneth Paltrow’s former Tribeca home was known for its all-white decor, described as both “ethereal” and “asylum-like.” The spacious 4,000-square-foot apartment, located in the heart of New York City, was purchased for $10 million. Originally listed for $14.25 million, the price was eventually reduced. Paltrow and her ex-husband, Chris Martin, bought the loft for $5.1 million in 2007. Following their separation, the home was put on the market. While Paltrow did not incur a loss, the final sale price is undisclosed.

Bobby Berk, the star of Queer Eye, showcased his impeccable design skills in his black-and-white dream apartment in 2020. Located in a historic building in downtown Los Angeles, Berk transformed his one-bedroom loft into a spacious and stylish living space. The apartment, formerly the office for the Pacific Electric Company, boasts an abundance of natural light. With the assistance of AllModern, a furniture e-tailer, Berk curated an organic, graphic, and sophisticated aesthetic for his home.

Taylor Swift, known for her love of real estate, has a particular fondness for New York City. In 2017, she purchased an $18 million townhouse just steps away from her penthouse. Located at 153 Franklin Street, the three-story home boasts luxurious features such as a movie theater, gym, heated floors, rainfall steam shower, wet bar, and limestone jet bathtub. The master suite is adorned with walk-in closets and plank oak flooring. Additionally, the townhouse offers an outdoor terrace equipped with a grill, providing ample space in the bustling cityscape of NYC.

In 2017, renowned actress Meryl Streep and her husband, artist Don Gummer, purchased a new home in Pasadena. The couple acquired the property for $3.6 million, marking the first time it had changed ownership in half a century. They even managed to negotiate a discount from its original listing price of $4.13 million. The home, designed by esteemed architects Smith & Williams in the late 1950s, features three bedrooms and three bathrooms. Nestled at the end of a private gated driveway, the Pasadena residence retains many of its original details, including a fireplace and terrazzo floors.

Ashley Benson, known for her role in Pretty Little Liars, has transformed her New York City apartment into a vibrant and cheerful space. Seeking a playful and feminine aesthetic, the actress collaborated with AllModern to redecorate her home as a personal reward after the show’s conclusion. Benson actively participated in the process, joining designer Nicole Gordon to select paint colors and conduct test swatches. Additionally, Benson owns a larger 2,600-square-foot home in Los Feliz, which surpasses the size of her charming NYC apartment by two-and-a-half times.

Meg Ryan, the actress, relocated to Greenwich a few years ago after selling her beautiful SoHo loft for approximately $10 million. The loft, which spanned 4,100 square feet, received recognition in Architectural Digest for its harmonious blend of dark colors and classic architectural elements. Ryan purchased the apartment from fellow celebrity Hank Azaria for $8 million and enlisted the services of designer Monique Gibson and architect Joel Barkley to completely renovate the space. Ryan has a passion for home renovations and even coined the term “Meganize” to describe the transformative process, as playfully nicknamed by her son Jack.

Despite their separation, Jennifer Lopez and Alex Rodriguez previously owned a stylish condominium together at 432 Park Avenue. The building, constructed in 2015 as part of the supertall skyscraper trend, offered breathtaking city views. However, the couple decided to sell the condo less than a year after purchasing it, realizing they required a larger space for their expanding family. Spanning 4,003 square feet and located on the thirty-sixth floor of the Rafael Vinoly building, the Midtown residence featured impressive twelve-and-a-half-foot ceilings, expansive windows with views of Central Park, oak floors, and a library. They acquired the apartment for $15.31 million.

Samuel L. Jackson aimed to make a significant profit when he listed his Upper East Side condo for sale a few years ago. Originally purchased in 2005 for just under $5 million, he set the asking price at $13 million. Situated on a middle floor of The Leonori, a pre-war apartment house, the 3,000-square-foot condo features four bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms, and notable elements such as dark oak floorboards, floor-to-ceiling built-ins, and a striking black glass chandelier hanging over the dining room table. The historic building, known for its intricate limestone detailing, was constructed in the early 1900s.

Vincent Kartheiser, known for his role as Pete on Mad Men, surprises fans with his choice of residence in Tinseltown. Instead of a grand mansion, the TV star lives in a remarkably tiny house measuring just 581.3 square feet. Despite its size, the Hollywood home exudes style and clever space-saving features. For instance, the bed headboard transforms into a desk, coffee tables double as firepits, shoji screens reveal hidden wardrobes and a bathroom, and even the bed is suspended from the ceiling using a pulley system. Every inch of space is maximized in this creatively designed abode.

Tavi Gevinson, the actress known for her fashion blog called Style Rookie, resides in a stylish one-bedroom apartment in Brooklyn. Measuring 650 square feet, Gevinson is currently renting the space in Fort Greene. Every piece of furniture and decorative item in the apartment holds its own unique story, reflecting Gevinson’s impeccable taste. While the apartment boasts several eye-catching elements, the majority of the walls are kept white to allow Gevinson’s personal style to shine through in the rest of the living space.

Madonna and her ex-husband Guy Ritchie used to own a modest home in London, which is now available as a holiday rental for $700 per night. Surprisingly, the Georgian home only has two bedrooms and two bathrooms. However, its prime location on a peaceful street in Kensington adds to its appeal. The property has also attracted other celebrities, as Guy Ritchie filmed scenes for his movie, Layer Cake, starring Daniel Craig and Sienna Miller, at the residence. These factors contribute to the higher rental price.

Julianne Moore recently sold her charming cottage in Montauk, New York for just under $3 million. The actress and her husband decided to part ways with the property after it had been on the market for six years. Despite its scenic location in a beautiful area of New York, the couple had a negative experience when they found an unknown individual passed out on their couch. This incident prompted them to purchase a more secure mansion in town, leaving the cottage behind.

Chace Crawford, known for his role in Gossip Girl, continues to call New York City home. He initially shared an apartment with co-star Ed Westwick but later moved to a more luxurious penthouse in the Financial District. The upscale building, Dwell95, offers modern and extravagant units, with rent priced at $5,100 per month. This prime location places Crawford in one of the wealthiest areas of NYC.