Do you dream of living like Jacob Elordi? Between its sleek midcentury modern homes, canyon views, celebrity neighbors, and effortlessly cool Los Angeles lifestyle, it’s easy to see why the Hollywood Hills has become one of California’s most popular neighborhoods. But behind the beautiful kitchen, designer furniture, and infinity pool comes a very realistic price tag.
From multi-million dollar home prices and soaring insurance premiums to lavish interiors and everyday expenses, Jacob Elordi breaks down what it really costs to live in the Hollywood Hills neighborhood. Whether you’re casually browsing Redfin listings or plugging numbers into a home affordability calculator for fun, here’s what you need to afford the Hollywood Hills lifestyle.
Important points:
– Median home price: $4 million to $10 million+ (higher in pockets with views and celebrities)
– Estimated mortgage (20% reduction, interest rate approximately 5.5-7%): $25,000-$50,000+ per month
– Property taxes: ~$50,000–$180,000+/year (depending on amount ≈ $4,000–$15,000+/month)
– Insurance: $8,000 to $100,000+/year (wildfire risk, coverage level, and home value greatly influence price)
– Down payment expectations:
3%: $120,000 to $300,000 or more
10%: $400,000 to $1 million or more
20%: $800,000 to $2 million or more
30%: $1.2 million to $3 million or more
– Architect/Designer cost for a Hollywood Hills style home: up to $250,000 to several million dollars, depending on scope, customization, and finishes
– Median rent in this area: $7,500 to $12,000 per month (luxury homes can be more than $20,000 per month)
– 5-year value appreciation: ~25% to 40% (higher for premium view or renovated properties)
– Estimated income needed to live comfortably: ~$400,000 to $900,000+ per year
Bottom line: Limited inventory, hillside topography, and strong demand for privacy and views all contribute to Hollywood Hills’ multi-million dollar price tag. Living in Jacob Elordi’s neighborhood comes with significant upfront and ongoing costs, but the combination of architectural design, luxury, and long-term popularity make this area one of Los Angeles’ most iconic luxury enclaves.
What you need to buy a home in the Hollywood Hills
Living in the Hollywood Hills comes at a luxury-level price. While some homes in the neighborhood start around $2 million, many of the modern hillside properties home to celebrities like Jacob Elordi can easily exceed $5 million and even exceed $10 million. Once you factor in mortgage payments, property taxes, insurance, and maintenance costs, buyers often need a high six-figure or even seven-figure annual income to live comfortably in the area.
Financial advisor and men’s coach Samuel Rudd says, “Hollywood Hills is not an area you casually qualify for. It’s a lifestyle purchase in the spotlight. To live there, a buyer probably needs an annual income of $750,000 to $1.5 million or more, strong liquidity, and the discipline to not put the house into performance mode. In these areas, the real question is not, ‘Can I buy?’ – It’s “Can you own it without being owned?”
mortgage
For buyers purchasing a typical luxury home in the Hollywood Hills, monthly mortgage payments can easily range from $20,000 to more than $50,000, depending on the home price, interest rate, and down payment. Many properties in Jacob Elordi’s neighborhood cost well over $4 million, and financing alone can rival the cost of owning multiple homes in other parts of the country.
tax
Hollywood Hills property taxes are another big expense to consider. In Los Angeles County, homeowners typically pay about 1% to 1.25% of their home’s appraised value each year. That means a $5 million home could cost around $50,000 to more than $65,000 in annual property taxes before any additional on-site assessments or fees.
insurance
Insurance is one of the biggest hidden costs of owning a home in the Hollywood Hills. This is primarily due to the high risk of wildfires in this area. Many traditional insurance companies have restricted or suspended new policies in California’s highest fire risk areas in recent years, steering some homeowners to specialty or surplus lines insurers instead.
“The Hollywood Hills is a coveted area due to its spectacular views, affluence, convenient location, and convenient access. Home size, building grade, and terrain can make it difficult to insure,” says Eric Einhorn of Einhorn Insurance. “Each home (and its unique real estate characteristics) and individual homeowner are underwritten by an insurance company for eligibility and rating. In order for homeowners in the Hollywood Hills to receive comprehensive insurance protection, it is not uncommon for homeowners in the Hollywood Hills to take out multiple policies to avoid gaps in coverage (each covering losses from different perils). Currently, home insurance options in the Hollywood Hills are limited and can range from $10,000 per year to more than $100,000 per year depending on a variety of factors (such as the home’s specific geographic location, construction materials/reconstruction costs, and proactive wildfire mitigation efforts).
Unique Considerations for Hollywood Hills Homes
Living in the Hollywood Hills involves more than a multi-million dollar mortgage. From preparing for wildfires to maintaining properties on steep hillsides, neighborhood homeowners often face additional costs and logistics that come with luxury canyon living.
Wildfire risk: Many homes are located within high fire severity areas, making bushfire preparedness and professional insurance an important part of homeownership. Steep Hillside Sites: Retaining walls, drainage systems, and hillside foundations often require more maintenance than traditional homes. Privacy and Security: Gated driveways, cameras, hedges, and private security systems are common for celebrities and luxury homes. Indoor/Outdoor Living Maintenance: Pools, outdoor kitchens, expansive decks, landscaping, etc. can significantly increase ongoing maintenance costs. Narrow roads and parking challenges: Some roads on hillsides are steep and winding, and parking spaces are limited, which can make daily logistics more difficult. Luxury Home Maintenance: Luxury finishes, custom architecture, and designer interiors often come with higher repair and replacement costs.
“For some time, many Hills homeowners were stuck with just the California FAIR Plan, as most legacy airlines suspended new operations in California’s very high fire hazard critical zones,” said William Lemon of Broadway Insurance Services. “While each home in the Hills is unique, they are typically five times more expensive than average homes, with most luxury homes selling for between $8,000 and $100,000 annually. The largest and most difficult-to-place households we’ve seen to date cost more than $150,000 when you add up the home, DIC wrap, surplus, seismic, and high-value contents.”
Expectation of down payment
For a $5 million home in the Hollywood Hills similar to the one found in Jacob Elordi’s neighborhood, buyers could expect a down payment of:
3% down: $150,000
10% down: $500,000
20% down: $1 million
30% down: $1.5 million
In a competitive luxury market like the Hollywood Hills, lenders often rely on jumbo loans, where 20% to 30% down is much more common.
Common home styles in the Hollywood Hills
Homes in the Hollywood Hills are a mix of new construction and renovated midcentury properties that lean heavily toward architectural drama and modern California living. The neighborhood is known for homes that prioritize views, privacy, and indoor-outdoor flow, often choosing bold designs that stand out against the hillside landscape.
“The key to making these spaces unique and special is the collection of artwork and gallery-style walls that give personality and insight to one’s home. It’s the paintings and prints that he collects and selects to show people his world,” says Petty Lau. “He kept the wall color a neutral, warm cream, allowing for a blank canvas space. Warm table and floor lamps are placed throughout the space, allowing for no overhead lighting and a variety of light sources at eye level. Furniture has clean lines and comfortable upholstery. The use of natural textiles helps create warmth in the elegant, understated interior.”
Some of the most common housing styles in this area include:
Mid-Century Modern: Clean lines, flat surfaces, large glass walls, and seamless indoor-outdoor living make this one of the region’s most iconic styles. Contemporary Luxury: New construction featuring open floor plans, floor-to-ceiling windows, minimalist interiors, and high-end finishes. Modern Architecture: Custom-designed homes with striking geometric forms, cantilevers, and dramatic hillside placements. Hollywood Regency influence: Glam-inspired homes with bold finishes, symmetry, and upscale decor. Renovated classic home: An old hillside property updated with modern materials while preserving its original features and structure.
How much does it cost to design a mid-century modern/contemporary style home?
Jacob Elordi’s Hollywood Hills neighborhood homes typically reflect a mid-century modern-inspired contemporary style that blends clean architectural lines, expansive walls of glass, warm natural materials, and seamless indoor-outdoor living. How a home is designed and furnished according to this aesthetic varies greatly depending on the level of customization, but luxury construction in Los Angeles tends to be very expensive.
For full design builds or high-end interior furniture packages, costs often range from:
Design fees (architect + interior designer): $100,000 – $1.5 million+ Custom furniture + decor: $150,000 – $750,000+ Luxury addition or redesign: $500,000 – $2 million+
“Designing a contemporary home inspired by the warm, collected vibe of Jacob Elordi’s Hollywood Hills aesthetic is less about following trends and more about creating an atmosphere that feels architectural, layered, and collected,” encourages Crystal Reinhardt, CEO and Principal Designer at Old Soul Design Studio. “Combining mid-century influences, custom upholstery, artisan materials, natural wood tones, and seamless indoor-outdoor living, this level of well-appointed luxury homes (particularly in Los Angeles) are unique in their scale, level of customization, and professional design service. Realistically anywhere from $500,000 to well over $1.5 million, depending on the space. Much of the investment comes from architectural elements, vintage and collectibles, and the restraints needed to make the space feel effortless, rather than over-designed. ”
Compare rentals and purchases in this area
The gap between renting and buying is especially wide in the Hollywood Hills due to high home values and demand for luxury goods. Many residents choose to rent first before deciding to buy in the neighborhood.
Median Rent: ~$7,500 – $12,000/month (luxury homes and properties with views can exceed $20,000+/month) Estimated Mortgage: ~$25,000 – $50,000+/month (based on multi-million dollar home prices, depending on down payment and interest rate)
Long-term trends in home values
Hollywood Hills has seen strong long-term appreciation due to limited inventory, celebrity demand, and consistent luxury buyer interest. Although the exact numbers vary by district and property type, trends generally show steady increases over time, with occasional slowdowns during broader market changes.
According to Redfin data, Hollywood Hills real estate has generally seen strong long-term appreciation over the past decade, often outperforming many surrounding areas due to limited hillside inventory, architectural uniqueness, and consistent demand for view-oriented, celebrity-adjacent homes.
What it really costs to live in Jacob Elordi’s neighborhood
In the Hollywood Hills, the cost of homeownership quickly increases when you factor in the price of luxury hillside properties, increased insurance needs, and ongoing maintenance associated with steep terrain and high-end finishes. Monthly mortgage payments for a typical multi-million dollar home in Jacob Elordi’s neighborhood range from about $25,000 to more than $50,000, with property taxes adding an additional $4,000 to more than $15,000 each month, depending on the purchase price and appraised value.
Including wildfire mitigation, security systems, landscaping, general maintenance, and insurance, which can range from $700 to $8,000 or more per month for standard to high-exposure homes, the total monthly cost of ownership can realistically reach $33,000 to $75,000 or more per month, and even higher for completely custom properties. This reflects not only the home itself, but the exclusivity, views, privacy, and lifestyle that define living in one of Los Angeles’ most iconic hillside neighborhoods.
