This article was originally published on JustStarz
To the average person using ‘modest’ to describe a $2 million home may seem a little unreasonable, but for the rich and famous it is part of the shopping list. It is only fair that by the standards of celebrities like Selena Gomez, Jennifer Lawrence or Mark Zuckerberg that words such as ‘quaint’ and ‘subtle’ do exist to different standards, and we are not judging. We are here to live vicariously through Lena Dunham and her gorgeous 1919 ‘greek revival’ aesthetic home, and the amazing 1.7 acres of garden space that Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds own in their family estate. Sometimes it is just as luxurious and exciting to live through someone else’s extravagant lifestyle, and the best perk of course is it's for free! Here are 40 celebrities who live in surprisingly modest homes.
Robert Pattinson
After sharing an extravagant Los Angeles home with his now ex-girlfriend Kristen Stewart, Pattinson, well known for his role as the famous ‘Edward Cullen’ in Twilight sold the mansion and has moved into a much more cosy place of his own.
Pattison, with an estimated net worth of $100 million, bought a nearly 2,000-square-foot home worth only $2,176,500. Carrying a ‘rustic’ yet decorative aesthetic, this 2 bedroom and 2 bathroom home is the perfect humble abode.
Selena Gomez
In 2018 Selena Gomez purchased a beautiful and intimate studio home. Which she later flipped into a modern-day bungalow, for $2.799 million.
Gomez is familiar with the art of ‘flipping homes.’ She began investing in some real estate at the age of 19. In 2011, the singer bought herself a starter home in Tarzana for $2.2 million with an acre of land, five bedrooms, and eight bathrooms. Shortly after, purchasing over 7,000 acres of land for $3.7 million.
Jennifer Lawrence
Renowned actress Jennifer Lawrence has her moments of humility, despite being declared best-paid actor in the world by Forbes in 2015. Lawrence lives in a 1,413-square-foot condo located in Santa Monica for $1.150 million.
Lawrence, who won an Academy Award for 2012’s “Silver Linings Playbook” has been active in the real estate market in recent years. Purchasing townhouses and condos all around the country, but remains humble in which home she chooses to spend most of her time.
Matthew McConaughey
There was a time before this award-winning actor, husband and father of three was just a bachelor living in an airstream trailer. For a few years he renovated and lived in this airstream trailer of just under 28 square feet.
In a 2016 interview with architectural digest McConaughey expressed, “It’s got a great window right above your pillow, so when you wake up in the morning, you’re looking right at the ocean or wherever your backyard is that day.”
Lena Dunham
American actress, writer, director, and producer, Lena Dunham best known as the creator, writer, and star of the HBO television series Girls, lived in an apartment with just 1 bedroom and 1 bathroom. The apartment inevitably sold for ‘only’ $850,000, we say only considering this star is worth over $12 million.
Dunham later moved to a much more extravagant home in West Hollywood, which she has now listed for $2.8 million. The gorgeous 1919 home, carries a ‘greek revival’ aesthetic, and over the years has become home to the works of interior designer Brenda Antin.
Elijah Wood
Lord of the Rings star Elijah Wood obviously does not need great luxury to be happy, or flaunt his success. Despite being worth approximately $18 million, chooses to keep his style in homes cosy and subtle.
In 2013, the actor bought his Austin home for $1 million. The renovated ‘Victorian’ home in Austin, Texas, is only 3,200 square feet. The home and location The house and location offers a very quaint lifestyle for someone who can clearly afford more.
Deion Sanders
Nicknamed "Prime Time" and “Neon Deion”, is an American athlete, sports analyst, and football coach. Sanders, who has a place in the NFL Hall of Fame, also has a net worth of about $40 million. However, has chosen to live in a home of 29,122-square-foot in Prosper, Texas.
Despite being considerably small compared to what the NFL star could afford if he wanted, this place still has some inspired luxuries. With a home cinema, a barbershop, a two-lane bowling alley, a motor court, two swimming pools, and a rooftop terrace, Sanders is still living a well deserved lifestyle of luxury.
Kesha
Until 2016, American singer and song-writer Kesha lived in a Spanish inspired bungalow in Venice, California. Relatively 1,400 square feet, which the star purchased for about $1.6 million.
With curved ceilings, white interiors and viney trellis, this place was the perfect zen retreat. Not exactly what you would expect from a girl who loves the party scene, but we’re sure it was hard to deny such a beautiful and modern day bohemian home.
Tori Spelling
Famously known for her role in the 90s hit series 90210, Tori Spelling lived in a 2,400 square foot bungalow with her family which remained their home until she announced the pregnancy of her fourth child.
This humble abode was home for the Spelling family, and housed a chicken and a pig along with growing their own fruits and vegetables. In a 2013 interview with People when asked if it gets a little crowded in her home with so many animals, Tori replied, “I believe that everyone does better with a playmate!”
Lea Michele
Well recognised for her leading role in the show Glee, Lea Michele lived in a cozy bungalow in LA, which she purchased for $1.4 million. Although not very large, Michele’s home was definitely luxurious, having had a lovely marble finish in the kitchen and a solar-heated saltwater pool.
Michele remained in this home for a few years after selling the 2 bedroom cottage in 2015 for $1.825 million. Since then Michele has moved onto bigger and greater, now living in an extravagant $3 million mansion.
Chris Daughtry
Musician, vocalist and former American Idol contestant Chris Daughtry bought a house in North Carolina for $690,000 in 2006. Daughtry lived in this home with his wife and 4 children, where two of his children presumably shared a room.
Although the size and price may be fairly subtle for the star, this 3,782-square-foot property had more than just 4 bedrooms and 3 and a half bathrooms. Luxuries were of no concern, as it also included a saltwater pool, spa, and professional golf course. This was home to the Daughtry family up until 2011, where it was put up for sale.
Mark Zuckerberg
Tech entrepreneur Mark Zuckerberg lives in his $7 million property in Palo Alto, California. Which is a price not at all subtle or inexpensive, but to Zuckerberg may be considered fairly humble.
Being that Zuckerberg is one of the richest men on the planet, with an estimated net worth of around $77 million, it’s hard to believe he hasn't invested in something more expensive. According to NBC News Zuckerberg bought out properties around his home so that he may control who buys them and lives there, to ensure the privacy of his family. Definitely a luxury we can’t all afford!
John Krasinski
The Office star John Krasinski lives in a considerably understated $1,050,010 home. Relatively speaking, to the majority this may be considered luxury, but for a star with a networth of approximately $80 million, Krasinski can be considered moderately humble.
Krasinski lived in this beautiful home only seconds away from Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles, until 2011. Where he later traded the bachelor pad for a more family-accommodating space.
Jack White
American singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer, Jack White is best known as the lead singer and guitarist of the duo the White Stripes. According to The New Yorker, the star purchased a restored George Nelson home for $510,000.
With an estimated net worth of $50 million, we are a little surprised that White spent less than a fraction of his wealth on his home. White has always had a vast interest in modern design, so it doesn’t come as a complete surprise that this home was the right fit for him.
Simon Helberg
During the height of his fame, Big Bang Theory’s Simon Helberg lived in an intimate Los Angeles Cottage. He purchased this home in 2008 for $950,000.
Considering Helberg makes approximately $1 million per episode, making him one of the most paid actors on television, this humble abode seems a little small to his standards. But nonetheless, the peace and quiet in a modern cottage does not seem like too much of a downgrade.
Pete Wentz
Best known as the bassist and lyricist for the American rock band Fall Out Boy, since 2001, Wentz lived in a studio city home. To most stars of his caliber this home would fall short of the overindulgence rock stars often go for.
Although this exotic million-dollar home surrounded by trees and waterfalls was underestimated and to many of us the perfect getaway home - Wentz later moved to a bigger home that would support his growing family.
Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds
With an approximate combined net worth of $100 million, this Hollywood star couple only paid $2.3 million for their family home. Their mansion is located in Bedford, New York not far from New York City.
This amazing space is 1.7 acres of gardens, a sun porch and includes their very own private library, an absolute dream. We can’t deny how perfect this home is for the admired couple and their two children.
Ellen Pompeo
Famous for her well known role as ‘Meredith Grey’ on Grey's Anatomy, Pompeo has proven to admire small spaces. The star has turned her on-set trailer into a home-away-from-home, through hiring an interior decorator.
Pompeo is well known for loving to live in stylish abodes, some of which were featured in magazines such as Architectural digest. When she’s not on set and sleeping in her stylish caravan, she is at home in her 1930’s 16,000-square-foot Mediterranean-style villa with her husband and their two daughters.
Zooey Deschanel
New Girl star Zooey Deschanel is estimated to be bringing in a salary of $95,000 a month. Deschanel purchased her considerably small home for $1.69 million. Shortly after, the star sold this quaint Hollywood Hills home in 2015, but purchased a Manhattan Beach house just as underestimated as her last estate purchase.
This beach house carries a very rustic aesthetic, the three bedroom and three-and-a-half bathroom was built in the 1930s and carries the original detailing. It is clear this star prefers her rustic retreat over obvious and extravagant luxurious.
Dave Grohl
Foo Fighters frontman and founder, Dave Grohl is also the richest member of his band with an estimated net worth of $320 million. So it comes as a little bit of a surprise that he only paid $3 million for his last home.
From 2007 to 2015, Grohl was living in an oceanfront home in Oxnard. Besides the most obvious perk of living by the beach, the property featured an extraordinary chef’s kitchen, a home theater and a master suite with a fireplace and private balcony.
Elliot Page
With a networth of approximately $18 million, actress famously known for his role in the ‘Juno’ movie, Elliot Page chose a very humble way to live. The quaint two bedroom home was purchased in 2011 for $885,000.
At 1,499 square feet, Page listed his home in 2014. But we cannot deny that despite being a fraction of what he could afford, this beautiful modern aesthetic home remains undeniably luxurious.
Vincent Kartheiser
‘Mad Men’ star Vincent Kartheiser lived in a 580-square-foot cabin for over a decade. Which he later sold in 2014 for $650,000 to move in with his wife Gilmore Girls Alexis Bledel.
What this home lacked in square foot it more than made up for in design. During the star's time there, the home was renovated into a very aesthetically pleasing industrial Japanese style interior. Although he bought it for a fraction of his hard earned money, it seems he enjoyed it nonetheless, and made close to $100,000 selling it later.
Adrian Peterson
NFL MVP and college star football player Adrian Peterson despite an approximate net worth of $30 million purchased a small Minnesota home for only $665,000 in 2007.
He shared this 4,167-square foot home with his wife and four children for over a decade before leaving.
He shared this 4,167-square foot home with his wife and four children for over a decade before leaving.
Despite his income, Peterson has always remained humble, this purchase was another example of his down-to-earth nature.
Shaquille O'Neal
Basketball legend Shaquille O'Neal owns multiple properties, one of which appeared to be nothing like what we would have expected for his extravagant level of wealth. This international star sits on an estimated net worth of $400 million, so when he purchased the modest estate in Mount Dora, Florida for $235,000 back in 2012 we were definitely surprised.
The five bedroom, four bathroom, a wet bar, and entertainment room, although modest, this home definitely still had fitting luxuries to accommodate O’Neal and his family.
Tom Shadyac
American director, screenwriter, producer, and author Tom Shadyac may not be a name we are familiar with at first. Shadyac was the great mind behind famous comedies such as Bruce Almighty, Liar, Liar, and The Nutty Professor amongst many more.
Shadyac made his fortune between the late 1900s and 2000s which he then invested in a 17,000 square foot mansion. But after suffering from a severe post-concussion syndrome from a serious accident, Shadyac had an awakening. He suffered from severe depression, started an ambitious documentary project and sold his mansion to live in a trailer.
Warren Buffett
Warren Buffett is an American business magnate, investor, and philanthropist, with holding equity valued at $70.5 billion. Buffett lives in the same house he bought in 1957 for only $31,500.
His small mansion is located in Omaha, Nebraska, around 65,000 square feet and has 5 bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms. According to the Insider, when Buffet was asked why he chooses to live in a less than glamorous home when he could definitely afford it, he responded "I'm happy there. I'd move if I thought I'd be happier someplace else."
Joseph Gordon Levitt
American actor, director, and producer Joseph Gordon Levitt, lived in a 1940’s style ranch in Los Angeles he bought in 2015. The actor bought the 3,771 square-foot home for $3.25 million, which he later sold in 2019. The four bedroom three bathroom was designed and built in the 1940’s by noted architect Arthur W. Hawes.
Despite Levitt’s estimated wealth of $35 million, he remained quaint with his choice in homes. But luxury was definitely still subtly evident in this exquisite architectural interior home.
Christina Ricci
Up until 2014 actress Christina Ricci was living in a modest Los Angeles home of 1,891 square-foot which she bought for $1.505 million. With an estimated net worth of $18 million, Ricci could have purchased just about any home that he wanted.
The modest meditteranean style home was vintage theme inspired and still full of luxury, with a swimming pool, terrace gardens, and a patio surrounded by trees and lavishing plants.
Diane Keaton
Diane Keaton is a well-known actress, screenwriter, producer, and director who has a net worth of $100 million. So it was a surprise to us all when we learnt of her quaint 8,000 square-foot ‘farm’ home.
The home is one of which she designed and built in 2017 which can be best described as a sophisticated yet “rustic modern farmhouse.” With sliding barn doors, whitewashed antique looking furniture, chicken wire, and painted white brick, this home although much more subtle than she can obviously afford is the perfect getaway home in the country.
Emma Stone
Famous actress and oscar winner for “best actress” Emma Stone has found time in her very busy schedule to acquire additional estate. Her latest is a modest Westwood property worth $2.3 million.
The 1920’s Spanish style cottage is roughly 2,300 square-foot with burled hardwood floors and wood beamed ceilings, surrounded by a beautiful garden. Stone’s estimated net worth is presumed to be $30 million, so although this may be only one of her many beautiful mansions, it is possibly the most humble.
Tia Mowry
Famous for her role in ’90s sitcom Sister, Sister duo, Mowry was living in a luxurious yet humble abode, which she listed in 2019 for $1.5 million. According to Variety, Mowry purchased the property in 1996 for just over $650,000.
With a marble fireplace, cherry wood cabinets, and a built-in entertainment room, this home may appear subtle at first glance, but is full of equised artifacts and antiquities. Surrounded by a lawn path which gives way to 180-degree canyon and mountain views, this home makes for the best holiday getaway.
Madonna
Madonna has an estimated worth of $850 million making her one of the richest singers in the world. So when we learnt that one of her London homes was only worth $8 million we were a little surprised.
With her fame and fortune this star could own any home she would like, but this quaint home in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, London, is more subtle for the pop queen than we would have thought. This home, which the star brought to live with her former husband Guy Ritchie, is now being rented for 700 pounds a night.
Cher
This star needs no introduction and sits on an estimated fortune of $360 million. The star owned an English-style house in Beverly Hills and was very modest in style compared to her other estates. Although subtle, this home is full of charm, built in 1957 with a ‘relaxed’ country home aesthetic, this home was listed in 2018 for $2.5 million.
This four bedroom home, with a private bar in the den, a large scale kitchen banquette with a garden view, is the perfect country home. Despite being modest for the star, it is full of luxury and style.
Angie Harmon
American actress and model Angie Harmon best known for her role as Detective Jane Rizzoli on the TNT series Rizzoli & Isles, Harmon was living in a Los Angeles modern home valued at $2.85 million.
With an estimated net worth of $30 million this four bedroom and 3.5 bathroom, 2,760-square-feet home is definitely a little too modest for the star. In 2016, Harmon leased her Los Angeles apartment for $15,000 a month.
Juliette Lewis
In 2018 Lewis purchased a $1.499 million for her Spanish-style home. For the actress this humble home is surprisingly modest for someone with a $10 million net worth, now listed for sale for $1.779 million.
Surrounded by treetops this three bedroom, two-and-a-half bathroom property was built in 1957 and contains 2,400-plus square feet. Wood-beamed ceiling, white brick fireplace and arched windows overlooking the wooded surroundings, this place is a wonderland.
Michael Symon
Michael Symon has taken the culinary world by storm throughout the years, but steered clear of Hollywood up until 2017 where he hid out in his amazing retreat home in the suburbs of Cleavland, Ohio.
Symon purchased this humble five bedroom home for $500,000, surrounded by a courtyard with an ivy-covered brick wall. This home, although modest in price and subtle in appearance, is anything but simple.
Anthony Bourdain
Bourdain was an American chef, author, and television host who had a net worth of $16 million dollars at the time of his death in 2018. Although the late chef made his career travelling around the world, he called his 2,250-square-foot New York City estate home.
With bamboo hardwood floors, italian marble bathrooms, this home was a perfect city pad situated in Manhattan. After his death the apartment was put on the market for $3.8 million which we can say is definitely modest compared to what the star could afford.
Maksim Chmerkovskiy
Ballroom dance champion, choreographer, and instructor Maksim Chmerkovskiy, who is widely known as one of the professional dancers on the American television series Dancing with the Stars.
Chmerkovskiy lived in his modest mansion in Fort Lee, New Jersey up until 2019 when he put it on the market for $2 million. 5,200 square feet, five bedroom and five-and-a-half bathroom, 2008 antique furnished home was the perfect but subtle home, built to invite the family over for holidays!
Rosie O'Donnell
American comedian, producer, actress, author, and television personality Rosie O’Donnell is not shy from making herself known. But when it came to her subtle and modest Hudson Valley's village of Nyack property, the star was definitely looking for quaint rather than extravagant.
O’Donnell put both properties that are located right next to each other on the market for $1.8 million and the second property for $1.6 million. Although these homes may not be the most expensive celebrity homes they are not short of celebrity luxuries, including an extraordinary scenic view looking out to the Hudson River.
Kim Cattrall
Famous for her role as ‘Samantha Jones’ from Sex and The City, Cattrall has an approximate networth of $60 million. So it was surprising for us to learn that she bought her last home for $420,000 in 1998.
The 1,232 square-foot East Hampton cottage was later put on the market for $2.9 million. With two bedrooms, a wall of windows outlooking Gardiners Bay, this humble cottage is a perfect retreat space.