Elon Musk, a figure with billion-dollar ventures and interplanetary ambition, lives in a house that costs less than the base model of the vehicle his company sells. Nestled in Boca Chica, Texas, just steps from SpaceX’s Starbase, Musk’s primary residence is a 375-square-foot prefab Boxabl Casita valued around $50,000. It’s compact, foldable, and modest, boasting minimalist charm, a converted garage-turned-bedroom, and just enough space to function.
As reported by Fandom Wire, Musk has proudly shared his unconventional lifestyle, once posting that he rents the home from SpaceX and finds it “kinda awesome.” His property includes a slightly more upscale Boxabl unit for guests, but the overall setup is strikingly ordinary. Whether this minimalism is a reflection of humility or clever branding, it stands in stark contrast to the overhyped, and arguably underdelivering, Cybertruck. Initially touted as an affordable electric pickup starting at $39,990, the base model now sells for nearly $70,000, about $20,000 more than Musk’s house.
The “affordable” Cybertruck comes with fewer features than its higher-priced siblings. The single-motor version lacks dual motors, an air suspension system, a motorized bed cover, and several interior upgrades. Critics within the Tesla community have not been shy.
According to Fandom Wire, Sawyer Merritt, a prominent Tesla watcher, and investor Gary Black both noted that for just $10,000 more, buyers can get a vastly superior AWD version. The stripped-down base model feels like a bait-and-switch, offering marginal benefits and disappointing value in exchange for a hefty price tag.
Musk’s living situation may lack luxury, but it aligns with a certain personal narrative: innovation doesn’t have to be excessive.
The Cybertruck, however, tells a different story, one of diminishing returns and inflated expectations. While Musk’s $50K home could be viewed as a minimalist experiment, the $70K truck risks becoming a consumer cautionary tale.
