This article will look at most expensive things in the world –from billion-dollar houses to paintings and private luxuries with mind-blowing price tags. This comprehensive guide takes you on a journey through the most lavish homes, rare collectibles, exclusive experiences, and high-end technology that money can buy.
Each item on this list is a testament to human creativity, craftsmanship, and the pursuit of excellence. From multimillion-dollar yachts to priceless works of art, these extraordinary symbols of affluence and prestige are sure to leave you in awe. Join us as we unveil the ultimate expressions of wealth and exclusivity.
Let’s dive into the detailed list below and uncover expensive things ruling the world with their expensive price tags!
What is the Most Expensive Thing In The World?
As of 2024, The International Space Station is the most expensive thing in the world, priced at $150 billion. The jaw-dropping price of this makes us curious about other expensive things on the list.
Want a quick look at the list? I’ve got you! Here is a list of the top 10 expensive things in the world, along with the prices.
| Rank | Item | Price |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | The International Space Station | $150 Billion |
| 2 | History Supreme Yacht | $4.8 Billion |
| 3 | Hubble Space Telescope | $4.1 Billion |
| 4 | Antilia | $2 Billion |
| 5 | Villa Leopolda | $506 Million |
| 6 | ‘Salvator Mundi’ Painting | $450.3 Million |
| 7 | The Cullinan | $400 Million |
| 8 | Private Boeing 787 Dreamliner | $300 Million |
| 9 | ‘The Card Players’ Painting | $250 Million |
| 10 | Jeff Bezos’ Beverly Hills House | $165 Million |
Let’s get into the details of the highest-priced items on Earth.
1. The International Space Station—$150 Billion
Not a car or a house, the most expensive thing in the world (or outside the world) is the International Space Station, costing around a whopping $150 billion. It took years to create its design and about ten years to assemble it completely. This amount is enough to build a whole city!
The ISS requires regular maintenance, too. Therefore, besides being worth more than a hundred billion dollars, it continuously requires costly repairs.
2. History Supreme Yacht– $4.8 Billion
The History Supreme Yacht is the second-most expensive thing in the world. You might have noticed the huge price difference between the ISS and this yacht. Despite the difference, the History Supreme Yacht is a testament to luxury. It was built by a UK designer named Stuart Hughes and took about three years to build.
The luxurious ‘boat” contains some of the world’s priciest materials and amenities, including gold and platinum structural fittings.
3. Hubble Space Telescope– $4.1 Billion
The third item on the list holds the Guinness World Record for being the most expensive telescope in the world. The Hubble Space Telescope is used to observe things in our solar system. The Hubble has helped scientists discover moons about Pluto that we did not know about before.
The telescope is powered by solar energy and has 25-foot solar panels. It aids in human’s understanding of the universe every day.
4. Antilia– $2 Billion
Antilia is one of the most expensive private homes in the world. It is owned by the wealthiest man in India and Asia, Mukesh Ambani. Located in Mumbai, the building is 27 stories high with impressive features like three helipads, a 50-seater home theatre, nine high-speed elevators, and everything else luxury you can think of!
The building is adorned with expensive characteristics and is practical as well. It is built to withstand an earthquake of point 8 magnitude.
5. Villa Leopolda– $506 Million
The second house on the list is Villa Leopolda, a French mansion on the French Riviera. It is the second-most expensive house in the world and has been owned by notable personalities.
The structure was erected 122 years ago in 1902 for the Belgian King Leopold II. Interestingly, it was once used as a hospital during the Second World War. The current owner of the villa is Russian billionaire businessman Mikhail Prokhorov.
6. ‘Salvator Mundi’ Painting– $450.3 Million
Leonardo Da Vinci’s painting “Salvator Mundi” was sold to a Saudi Prince at a Christie’s auction in 2017. It was painted between 1499-1510. Paintings are usually pricey, but this one is the most expensive. The name translates to “Savior of the World” and contains a painting of Jesus Christ.
The Saudi Arabian Prince had bought the painting on behalf of Abu Dhabi’s Department of Culture and Tourism. However, sadly, it has not been publicly exhibited since.
7. The Cullinan– $400 Million
The Cullinan Diamond is the largest gem-quality rough diamond ever found mined in Cullinan, South Africa. Strange enough, the diamond was put up for sale in London in 1905 but went unsold for two years. Later, it was presented to the British King, Edward VII.
The diamond is famously known as the Star of Africa. It was cut into nine different stones, all of which were owned by Queen Elizabeth II.
8. Private Boeing 787 Dreamliner– $300 Million
If you ever want to make your loved ones feel special, booking this luxury private jet will do the trick. It is a VIP airliner of epic proportions. It can seat 381 people and has an enormous cabin space. To provide a clear picture–the floor space is more than that of an average American house.
Don’t have $300 million? No worries! The private plane is available to book for an hourly rate of $30,950.
9. ‘The Card Players’ Painting– $250 Million
Currently owned by the Royal Family of Qatar, The Card Players painting is an artwork by Paul Cézanne. It was painted during the early 1890s and has five paintings in the series.
The painting depicts peasants smoking pipes and playing cards. Two men have cards in their hands, and their eyes cast downward. It is considered to be the most iconic post-impressionist painting.
10. Jeff Bezos’ Beverly Hills House– $165 Million
The last item on the list is attributed to Amazon founder Jeff Bezos. All of us know who he is, but do you know he owns one of the most expensive homes in the world? Not surprisingly, Bezos owns a lot of real estate in the US. But this Beverly Hills property is his priciest house purchase.
11. Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Gullwing Uhlenhaut– $143 Million
Everyone knows Mercedes has expensive cars. Did you know that they made the world’s most expensive car? A private owner paid $143 Million for the Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Gullwing Uhlenhaut at a Sotheby’s auction. The car was manufactured back in 1955 and is a highly rare collectible.
12. Pointing Man Sculpture– $141.3 Million
Also called “The Man with the Finger,” The Pointing Man is a bronze sculpture created by Alberto Giacometti. It became the most expensive sculpture ever sold on May 11, 2015. It may seem like a simple sculpture of a man with a thin body. However, Jean-Paul Sartre commented, “These fine and slender natures rise up to heaven.”
13. Portrait Of Adele Bloch-Bauer I Painting– $135 Million
The painting is also known as The Lady in Gold, as she seems to be adorned in golden yellow. It is a work by artist Gustav Klimt, painted between 1093 and 1907, making it over a century old.
The painting was commissioned by the sitter’s husband, Ferdinand Bloch-Baue, a Jewish banker. Sadly, it was stolen by the Nazis in 1941. It was only in 2006 that the painting returned to Altmann.
14. The Garçon à la Pipe Painting– $104 Million
The Garçon à la Pipe Painting is an oil painting by Pablo Picasso. Painted in 1905, Picasso was only 24 years old when he created it. It depicts a Parisian boy with a pipe in his left hand and a garland on his head.
The painting was sold at a Sotheby’s auction on 5 May 200, when it became one of the most valuable artworks.
15. 1963 Ferrari 250 GTO– $70 Million
The Ferrari 250 GTO is a grand tourer produced in 1964. Buyers could buy the car for only $18,000 when it was first launched. However, they had to be approved by the Enzo Ferrari and his dealer.
Since then, this model has become a collectible for car enthusiasts, breaking records with each sale. The highest record was set in June 2018 when it was sold to an anonymous buyer for $70 Million.
16. Graff Diamonds Hallucination Watch– $55 Million
Many wealthy people own diamond watches. So, what makes this one so special and expensive? The Graff Diamonds hallucination watch contains 110 carats of very rare and large colored diamonds. It has a bracelet of platinum.
Some of the rare diamonds on it include Fancy Vivid Yellow, Fancy Intense Pink, Fancy Light Grey Blue, Fancy Intense Blue, etc. The diamonds cut into hearts and pear shapes make it even more attractive.
17. L’Incomparable Diamond Necklace– $55 Million
You’ll like this one if you like expensive, cute necklaces. The most expensive diamond necklace ever made goes beyond human expectations. It has a 407.48-carat flawless diamond suspended from a 229.52-carat white diamond necklace. The diamond pieces are held together by 18-karat rose gold branchlets. It was manufactured in Switzerland by Mouawad.
18. CarInsurance.com Domain Name— $49.7 Million
We bet you didn’t expect to see a domain name in the list when you began reading, but here it is! Car insurance is a big business, and finding the right domain can be pricey. According to GoDaddy, Carinsurance.com is priced at $49.7 Million. In 2008, Quinstreet announced its acquisition of the domain.
19. Giant Clock– $42 Million
Among Jeff Bezos’ possessions of the most expensive things in the world is the Giant Clock. Also known as the Clock of the Long Now, the item is still under construction and is supposed to show time for 10,000 years. It is currently displayed at the Science Museum in London.
20. Chopard 201-carat Gemstone Watch– $25 Million
Chopard is known for producing unique watches. This is especially true for the 201-carat Gemstone watch made of colored diamonds in fancy shapes. Made in 2000, the watch is a glamorous accessory and entirely handmade. It contains a total of 874 high-quality diamonds.
But that’s not it. The watch has a shimmering surprise for you. Three heart-shaped stones open like flower petals when you press the spring-loaded mechanism in the piece.
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Conclusion: With $150 Billion International Space Station is the most expensive thing in the world
Looks like the International Space Station will stay at the top of the list of the most expensive things in the world, priced at $150 billion for quite a while now.
Besides the ISS, diamond accessories like the Graff hallucination watch and paintings like the Salvator Mundi have dominated our list. Indeed, wealthy people have a thing for architectural excellence and valuable artwork.
Editor’s note: The list is curated based on the latest data available during the publishing. We keep our content updated, and as we come across updated data, we will keep the post updated.
