How the Other Half Lives: Homes of the 2016 Presidential Front-Runners

Being in touch with the issues facing the rank and file is a common theme among politicians, especially when they’re trying to convince working families to cast votes in their favor for the job of U.S. President.

But for all their homespun folksiness and humble origin stories, some of our presidential candidates live in homes that suggest they’re far removed from the struggles confronting the average Jane or Joe. Still others maintain modest residences that make them seem less removed from the daily life of the average American voter. Let’s take a look at the homes of 2016’s crop of presidential hopefuls, and see how the other half lives.

Donald Trump

As you’ve probably already guessed, Donald Trump lives quite well. His primary residence consists of the top three floors of Trump Towers in NYC, and they’re every bit as lavish as you’d expect for a guy whose name is written on the building.



They’re decorated in a style that can perhaps best be described as Roman Antiquity meets House of Bourbon, with honest-to-goodness marble columns, breathtaking painted ceilings, and gold details – basically everywhere. Is there a roll of $100 bills in the bathroom? We can’t confirm that, but we wouldn’t be shocked.

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Oh, and Trump also maintains a private suite at the Mar-A-Lago Club in Palm Beach, Florida.

Hillary Clinton

Hillary Clinton might have more working-class credibility than Donald Trump, but she’s not exactly roughing it, either. Bill and Hillary have a private residence in Chappaqua, New York. It’s a charming, 5-bedroom, 4-bath Dutch Colonial estimated to be worth around $2.3 million.

Google Maps

Lately, though, the Clintons have probably been spending more time in their Washington, DC residence. It’s a 4-bed, 6-bath brick home built in 1951. According to real estate experts, the projected property tax assessment value is around $5.2 million.

Jeb Bush

LoanDepot and CoreLogic

Jeb Bush isn’t just a political candidate; he’s a member of a political dynasty. And as you’d expect, membership has its privileges. After moving out of the governor’s mansion, Jeb and his wife, Columba, moved straight into a 3,485 square-foot home in Miami’s Coral Gables suburb. The value of the home is estimated to be about $1.3 million.

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And as word on the street has it, former first lady Barbara Bush recently designed a “vacation cottage” for Jeb and family at the Bush compound in Kennebunkport, Maine. This 3,000 square-foot hideaway cost an estimated $600,000 to build, and sits on land valued at nearly $1.5 million. Not bad for a cottage.

Bernie Sanders

Portland Press Herald

Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders lives in a fairly modest colonial-style home located in Chittenden County, Vermont. The home is reportedly valued at approximately $320,000. Sounds like a nice place, but by presidential standards, it’s really nothing to brag about.

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Like many politicians, Sanders also maintains a residence in D.C. At a relatively cozy 892 square feet, this brick home isn’t huge, but it undoubtedly has lots of historic charm throughout, having been built back in 1890.

Which Home Gets Your Vote?

If we had to cast a vote for the most lavish digs on this list, Trump’s NYC residence would be a clear winner. On the other hand, if we were scoring the candidates’ homes based on “everyman” appeal, it seems like Bernie Sanders’ Vermont residence would definitely have the edge.

You certainly can’t tell everything about a candidate based on where they live. Still, though, it’s interesting to see where our nation’s potential leaders spend their free time when they’re not out on the campaign trail, looking for our votes.

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