From Blake Lively to Jennifer Lawrence: Wealthy celebrities who live in very modest homes

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

This property, which Ryan affectionately refers to as “The Farm,” offers a quiet, relaxed lifestyle far from the typical Hollywood scene.

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

The family divides their time between this house and a beautiful apartment in Tribeca, New York, a building that has reportedly been home to celebrities such as Harry Styles and Jennifer Lawrence.

Given the couple's shared level of fame, the modest price for their “farm” underscores that they prefer a quiet, private life to the glitz and glamour normally associated with their industry.

With an estimated net worth of $100 million, Robert Pattinson’s choice of home was refreshing; dusk Star bought a nearly 2,000-square-foot residence in the Hollywood Hills in 2013 for about $2.2 million, according to Robb report.

Access to the house was only possible via a long, enclosed corridor, which gave Robert privacy and seclusion. The house itself had a rustic charm and a cozy layout with only two bedrooms and two bathrooms.

This modest retreat was the actor's sanctuary throughout his busy career until he sold it in December 2023.

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

In 2015 Forbes named Jennifer Lawrence the highest-paid actress in the world, with an incredible income of $52 million this year.

Despite her great success, Jennifer lived in a 130 square meter condo in Santa Monica, which she had bought back in 2006, so Ellewhich reflects her preference for a lifestyle that is as normal as possible. She sold the house in 2016 for a whopping $1.17 million.

However, her real estate portfolio is not entirely modest; she invested in a 5,500 square meter house in Los Angeles [which happened to be Jessica Simpson’s old home] in 2014 according to E Newsand a $21.9 million four-bedroom home in the West Village in 2020, according to the New York Postand balances its preference for simplicity with strategic investments.

She reportedly currently lives with her husband Cooke Maroney and their child in a Beverly Hills mansion that she purchased for $8 million in 2014.

Before Matthew McConaughey became a household name, he maintained a minimalist lifestyle and lived in an Airstream trailer.

The actor bought and renovated a 2004 Airstream, which he parked permanently on the Santa Monica coast, according to Architecture Digest.

Decorated with simple, surfer-inspired elements, the trailer became Matthew's retreat, where he appreciated the constraints 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 as his career skyrocketed, his affection for this humble RV remained and he even decorated his trailer with posters for his 2005 film Sahara.

Lena Dunham, the creator and leading actress of Girlchose a modest one-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment in Brooklyn Heights, New York.

The 74-square-meter apartment, purchased in 2012 for $500,000, was located in one of New York City's wealthiest neighborhoods, according to Brakedwhich makes it a surprisingly modest choice despite Lena's great success.

The modestly sized apartment provided a cozy, 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 sizable profit, but the house remained a symbol of her down-to-earth lifestyle.

She now lives in a quirky house in Connecticut, just 10 feet from her parents' house, according to an interview with Architecture Digest.

Pop star Kesha, known for her party girl personality, lived in a charming Spanish-style bungalow in Venice Beach between 2014 and 2015, according to the LA Times.

The 1,600-square-foot home she bought for $1.65 million was a cozy retreat with glass doors leading to a beautiful patio with an outdoor fireplace.

Despite its modest size, the bungalow had plenty of character and style and perfectly suited Kesha's eclectic personality.

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

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

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

Built in 1890, the 33,000-square-foot home is characterized by its classic design and understated elegance, reflecting Elijah's preference for a simpler, quieter life away from the spotlight.

Unlike many celebrities who have a penchant for opulent homes, his choice reflects his desire for a more authentic, down-to-earth living experience.

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

At the peak Glee Success, Lea Michele lived in a charming 1,800 square meter house in Los Angeles, which she bought in 2012 for $1.4 million, according to TMZ.

Although the property was not huge by celebrity standards, it was still luxurious and featured a solar-heated saltwater pool.

Lea's choice reflected her desire for a comfortable yet manageable living space in which she could switch off from the demands of her career.

She stayed in this cozy two-bedroom, two-bathroom abode until 2015, when she moved into a $3 million mansion with a two-story gym.

Tech mogul Mark Zuckerberg’s $7 million Silicon Valley home may seem like a luxury given his immense fortune, which according to Bloomberg.

The 4,800-square-foot home itself reflects the high real estate prices in the area and is not an expression of opulence. It has four bedrooms and 3.5 bathrooms, according to Zillow. [as per The Real Deal].

What sets Mark apart is his emphasis on privacy; he spent another $30 million to buy and demolish four surrounding properties and replace them with smaller buildings to ensure his family's seclusion, so Architecture Digest.

This approach underscores his preference for a more low-key lifestyle that focuses on security and privacy rather than the ostentatious display of wealth.

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

British actress Keira Knightley is known for her roles in historical dramas such as pride and Prejudicedecided to live in a typical London townhouse with her husband, musician James Righton.

The 260 square metre, five-bedroom house in the Canonbury district exudes an unconventional charm with its eclectic mix of colours, art and books.

The three-story building, including a basement, is a stark contrast to the majestic homes of many of her Hollywood colleagues; but it has, according to The MP report.

Keira's home reflects her artistic sensibility and her preference for a cozy, private space for her family.