From Blake Lively to Jennifer Lawrence: Wealthy Celebrities Who Live in Very Modest Homes

In 2012, Hollywood couple Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds purchased a picturesque home in Pound Ridge, New York for around $5.7 million.

This property, which Ryan affectionately calls a “farm,” offers a serene, relaxed lifestyle far removed from the typical Hollywood scene.

With its picturesque river views, horseback riding opportunities and historic charm, the house is an idyllic retreat for the couple and their family.

The family splits their time between this house and a beautiful apartment in Tribeca, New York, a building that has reportedly housed celebrities including Harry Styles and Jennifer Lawrence.

Given the couple’s combined star power, the modest price tag for their “farm” underscores their preference for a quiet, private life rather than the glitz and glamour typically associated with their industry.

With an estimated net worth of $100 million, Robert Pattinson’s choice of home was refreshing; Dusk The star purchased a nearly 2,000-square-foot residence in the Hollywood Hills for around $2.2 million around 2013, according to Robb Report.

The house was entered only by a long, enclosed hallway, allowing Robert privacy and seclusion, and the house itself had a rustic charm, with a warm layout that included just two bedrooms and two bathrooms.

This modest retreat was the actor’s sanctuary during his busy career until December 2023, when he sold it.

According to Vogue, the new dad recently purchased a second home for his growing family, also in the Hollywood Hills, shelling out $7.65 million for a larger home after welcoming his first child with partner Suki Waterhouse.

In 2015, Forbes named Jennifer Lawrence the world’s highest-paid actress, earning an incredible $52 million that year.

Despite her enormous success, Jennifer lived in a 1,500-square-foot condo in Santa Monica that she bought in 2006, according to Shereflecting her preference for as normal a lifestyle as possible. She sold the house for a whopping $1.17 million in 2016.

However, her real estate portfolio isn’t entirely modest; she invested in a 5,500-square-foot home in Los Angeles (which happens to be Jessica Simpson’s former home) in 2014, according to E-Newsand a $21.9 million four-bedroom home in the West Village in 2020, according to the The New York Postbalancing its preference for simplicity with strategic investments.

She is now reportedly living in a Beverly Hills mansion, which she purchased in 2014 for $8 million, with her husband, Cooke Maroney, and their child.

Before he became a celebrity, Matthew McConaughey adopted a minimalist lifestyle, living in an Airstream trailer.

The actor purchased and renovated a 2004 Airstream, which he permanently parked along the Santa Monica coast, according to Architectural summary.

The caravan, decorated with simple surfer-inspired elements, became Matthew’s retreat, where he enjoyed the limitations of small spaces and even used it as an office for his production company.

He has often spoken about how these spaces promote relaxation and a focused lifestyle. Even though his career has taken off, his affection for this modest mobile home endures, and he even decorated his trailer with posters for his 2005 film Sahara.

Lena Dunham, the creator and star of Girlsopted for a modest one-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment in Brooklyn Heights, New York.

Purchased in 2012 for $500,000, the 800-square-foot apartment was located in one of New York’s wealthiest neighborhoods, according to Brakedmaking it a surprisingly humble choice despite Lena’s enormous success.

The modestly sized apartment provided a warm, intimate space that reflected Lena’s down-to-earth personality as her career reached new heights.

She rented the property in 2014 and sold it in 2017 for $850,000, making a hefty profit, but the house has remained a symbol of her grounded lifestyle.

She now resides in a whimsical Connecticut home, just a 10-foot walk from her parents’ house, according to an interview with Architecture summary.

Pop star Kesha, known for her party girl persona, took up residence in a charming Spanish-style bungalow in Venice Beach between 2014 and 2015, according to the Los Angeles Times.

The 1,600-square-foot home, which she purchased for $1.65 million, was a cozy retreat with French doors that opened to a gorgeous patio with an outdoor fireplace.

Despite its modest size, the bungalow was rich in character and style, perfectly fitting Kesha’s eclectic personality.

The singer sold the property a year later for more than $1.8 million, making a modest profit.

With its intimate charm, this three-bedroom home is a testament to Kesha’s down-to-earth personality.

Elijah Wood, famous for his role as Frodo in The Lord of the Ringseschews the glitz and glamour of Hollywood luxury; in 2013, he purchased a Victorian-style home in Austin, Texas, for just over $1 million, according to the Los Angeles Times.

The approximately 3,200-square-foot home, built in 1890, features a classic design and understated elegance, reflecting Elijah’s preference for a simpler, quieter life away from the spotlight.

Unlike many celebrities who gravitate toward opulent homes, her choice reflects her desire for a more authentic, down-to-earth living experience.

After extensive renovations, he sold the four-bedroom home for $1.8 million in 2020.

At the height of Glee Successful Lea Michele has lived in a charming 1,800-square-foot home in Los Angeles that she purchased for $1.4 million in 2012, according to TMZ.

While not huge by celebrity standards, the property was nonetheless luxurious and included a solar-heated saltwater pool.

Lea’s choice reflected her desire for a comfortable but manageable living space where she could relax from the demands of her career.

She remained in the comfortable two-bedroom, two-bathroom abode until 2015, when she moved into a $3 million mansion complete with a two-story gym.

Tech mogul Mark Zuckerberg’s $7 million Silicon Valley home might have seemed modest given his vast fortune, estimated at $182 billion according to Bloomberg.

The 4,800-square-foot home itself reflects the area’s high real estate prices, rather than a display of opulence, and features four bedrooms and 3.5 bathrooms, according to Zillow (according to (The real deal).

What sets Mark apart is his emphasis on privacy; he spent an additional $30 million to buy and demolish four surrounding properties, replacing them with smaller structures to provide his family with seclusion, according to Architectural summary.

This approach highlights his preference for a more sober lifestyle, emphasizing security and privacy rather than bold displays of wealth.

He reportedly sold the property in 2024 for nearly $30 million this year.

British actress Keira Knightley, known for her roles in period dramas such as Pride and Prejudicechose to live in a typical London townhouse with her husband, musician James Righton.

This five-bedroom, 2,800-square-foot home in the Canonbury area exudes bohemian charm, with its eclectic mix of colors, art and books.

The three-story property, including a basement, stands in stark contrast to the stately homes of many of its Hollywood peers; but it does include seven fireplaces and a fitness center, according to The MP’s report.

Keira’s home reflects her artistic sensibilities and her preference for a comfortable, private space for her family.