Here’s how much these TV homes from adult animation franchises would cost in real life
If you have ever found yourself wondering how much it would cost to live in your favorite cartoon characters’ homes, you are likely not alone.
Interior design experts at Hovia have used information from real-estate marketplace Zillow, to estimate the prices of iconic homes from different animated TV series, so you don’t have to.
A spokesperson for Hovia commented:
“With animated TV shows, creators can really stretch their imagination, as they aren’t bound by the limitations of set design or location scouting. Despite this, many shows opt to centre their characters in places that sound almost real, frequently modelling these fictional towns on places that they encountered growing up.
“It’s fascinating to see just how much these fictional homes could cost in today’s housing market. Shows like The Simpsons and Family Guy, which have been on the air for decades, feature homes that might once have been affordable for their characters, yet now seem unrealistic given the nature of their jobs in the show.”
The Simpsons – 742 Evergreen Terrace, Springfield
Estimated Price: $458,730
The Simpson family live in a four-bedroom home with an attached garage, basement and a generous fenced in yard in the fictional town of Springfield. Although the location of Springfield isn’t clear in the series, the show’s creator Matt Groening revealed in an interview with Smithsonian Magazine in 2012, that it is based on Springfield, Oregon a few hours from Portland where he grew up.
A four-bedroom home in Springfield, Oregon would set the Simpson family back around $458,730 today. Given Homer’s salary as a nuclear power plant safely inspector and Marge’s fragmented employment history, it’s likely the family would find it difficult to afford a property like this in the current climate.
Family Guy – 31 Spooner Street, Quahog, Rhode Island
Estimated Price: $357,958
The Griffin family from Family Guy live in the fictional city of Quahog, situated in Rhode Island. The family are described as ‘lower-middle-class’ with Peter working in a brewery and Lois working as a part time teacher throughout the series.
The show’s creator Seth MacFarlane is reported to have resided in Providence, Rhode Island during his time as a student, with the city serving as the inspiration for Quahog. In real life, if the Griffin’s four-bedroom home was based in Providence, it would cost them around $357,958 today. This isn’t impossible for the family to afford based on their salaries but as the show points out, is difficult for them to maintain.
South Park – 2001 E. Bonanza St., South Park, Colorado
Estimated Price: $741,919
South Park’s Stan Marsh lives in the fictional town after which the show is named. Fans online seem to agree that South Park is based on the town of Fairplay, Colorado. According to Colorado’s official tourism website, the town was actually re-named ‘South Park City’ in 1869 before being changed back to ‘Fairplay’ in 1874.
Creators Matt Stone and Trey Parker have said that although visually based on Fairplay, the show’s characters were based on their experiences growing up in Denver, Colorado.
A four-bedroom home in Fairplay currently costs a pricey $741,919, which considering Randy’s salary as a geologist and Sharon’s as a receptionist, is not totally out of reach for them.
Futurama – Robot Arms Apartments, New New York
Estimated Price: $799,950 (2023 price)
Futurama takes place in New New York in the year 3000. The show’s protagonist Philip J. Fry lives with Bender the robot in an apartment block built specifically to house robots in the city.
Each apartment has a closet which seems to be the size of a regular two-bedroom apartment, which would cost around $799,950 in New York today. Fry and Bender work for Professor Farnsworth’s delivery company Planet Express as an executive delivery boy and assistant manager of sales, so this definitely seems out of reach for them.
SpongeBob SquarePants – 124 Conch Street, Bikini Bottom, Pacific Ocean
Estimated Price: $55
SpongeBob SquarePants lives in a pineapple, which can cost around $4 in a store. However, for a pineapple big enough to call a home, the study looked at the Giant Kew variety which can reach up to twenty pounds in weight. Using an average of $2.78 per pound, the estimated cost of SpongeBob’s home would be $55. With his salary as a fry cook at the Krusty Krab, this estimation means his home is well within his budget.
King of the Hill – 84 Rainey Street, Arlen, Texas
Estimated Price: $382,781
King of the Hill is set in the fictional city of Arlen, Texas. The show’s co-creator, Mike Judge, told The New York Times that Arlen was actually inspired by the Dallas suburb of Richardson.
The shows main character Hank Hill is known for his frugal nature, so owning a three-bedroom home in rural Texas wouldn’t necessarily be out of the question. In real life, if the Hill Residence was based in Richardson, it would cost around $382,781.
Bob’s Burgers – Ocean Avenue, New Jersey
Estimated Price: $705,809
The show is confirmed as taking place in the fictional Ocean Avenue along the northern Jersey shore. Seaside towns aren’t cheap, and the Belchers live in a three-bed apartment above the shop throughout the series.
Using Ocean City, New Jersey as the closest real-life location, a three-bedroom home would go for around $705,809 today, which doesn’t even include the cost of the shop. Even though the Belchers rent the building, their costs are still extremely high compared to the salary they bring in.
The Flintstones – 345 Cave Stone Road, Bedrock
Estimated Price: $300,000
Considering the materials used and size of Fred and Wilma’s home, the Flintstones’ home would cost around $300,000 today.
The house is made of granite with a limestone finish and has enough space inside for a living room, bathroom and two bedrooms. With Fred’s salary as a construction worker, this cost is likely to be far out of reach.
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