Debunking the Rumor: Newsom's $140K Salary and the Expensive Home

Misleading Claims About Governor Gavin Newsom’s Home

A video circulating online in early August 2025 falsely claimed to show a house owned by California Governor Gavin Newsom. The clip, which gained significant attention on social media platforms like TikTok and X, was accompanied by a caption stating, “Gavin Newsom's house. Not bad for a 140k a year salary.” This sparked questions about how the governor could afford such an expensive home with his reported annual salary.

However, the claims were not accurate. While Newsom and his wife, Jennifer Siebel Newsom, have purchased several high-value properties, the specific house shown in the video is not one of theirs. The video depicted a residence located in Alpine, Utah, far from Newsom’s office in Sacramento, California. The property, visible in the clip, was identified as being on Deer Crest Lane, according to a July 6, 2024, Instagram video that also featured the same house. No mention of Newsom or politics was made in that post.

Clarifying the Governor’s Salary

Another key point of confusion was the claim that Newsom earns $140,000 annually. According to the California Department of Human Resources website, his actual annual salary is $242,295. This figure is significantly higher than the amount cited in the viral video, raising further questions about the accuracy of the information being shared.

Ownership and Location of the Property

A reverse-address search conducted on Whitepages.com revealed that the Utah home at 1018 N Deer Crest Ln has two known owners, neither of whom is named Newsom. Zillow.com estimates the value of the 4,653-square-foot property at over $2.56 million, highlighting its high market price. Despite this, no credible news outlets have reported any connection between Newsom and the property, and there is no evidence suggesting that he owns it.

The video first appeared on TikTok under the account @thesmithfamily on July 29, 2024. The user later reposted the clip again in 2025, reigniting the rumor. Attempts to contact the user for clarification were made, but no response was received at the time of writing.

Newsom’s Real Estate History

Newsom and his wife have been involved in several real estate transactions. In November 2024, the San Francisco Chronicle reported that the couple planned to split their time between a newly purchased $9.1 million home in Marin County and another property in Fair Oaks, California. Their Fair Oaks home, bought in December 2018 for $3.7 million, is located in Sacramento County.

These purchases reflect the couple’s financial status, which has been shaped not only by Newsom’s political career but also by his extensive business ventures. Over the past two decades, Newsom has built a successful entrepreneurial career, including owning a chain of wine stores, wineries, restaurants, nightclubs, hotels, and retail shops across California. These businesses, part of the PlumpJack Group, have contributed significantly to his wealth.

Understanding Newsom’s Wealth

According to a 2018 Los Angeles Times article, Newsom has amassed a considerable fortune through his business endeavors. His ventures have included partnerships with the Gettys, a family known for their oil wealth, and other influential figures in the business world. Despite his focus on progressive politics, Newsom has often highlighted his background as an entrepreneur and job creator.

Additional Context

For those interested in further details, previous investigations have looked into other claims related to Newsom, such as allegations that he dined with lobbyists at a high-end restaurant in Napa Valley during the COVID-19 pandemic. These cases underscore the importance of fact-checking when evaluating claims about public figures.

In summary, the video claiming to show Newsom’s home and questioning his ability to afford it based on his salary is misleading. The property in question is not owned by the governor, and his actual salary is higher than the figure cited in the post. Understanding the full context of Newsom’s financial situation helps clarify these misconceptions.