David Bromstad turned a reality show victory into an 18-year television career that completely transformed his financial life. The HGTV designer and television personality has built a net worth of $2 million through consistent hosting roles, design projects, and brand partnerships. His journey from near-bankruptcy to multi-millionaire status represents one of the most compelling financial comebacks in home design television.
The Minnesota-born designer’s wealth stems primarily from his role as host of HGTV’s My Lottery Dream Home, where he guides lottery winners toward their dream properties. Online estimates place his net worth around $2 million, made possible by his long-standing HGTV career. His financial success didn’t happen overnight—it required winning a competitive reality show and building a loyal audience over nearly two decades.
David Bromstad’s Current Net Worth in 2025
David Bromstad’s net worth stands at $2 million as of 2025, though some industry sources suggest higher figures. His estimated net worth reached $4 million in 2024, while other reports cite ranges between $4-6 million. The variance stems from different valuation methods for real estate holdings, car collections, and future contract values.
The $2 million figure represents a conservative consensus from multiple celebrity finance tracking sites. Celebrity Net Worth, a leading authority on public figure finances, confirms the $2 million estimate. This places Bromstad in the middle tier of HGTV personalities—comfortable but not among the network’s wealthiest stars.
Key Wealth Components:
- HGTV contracts and residuals
- Florida real estate investments
- Luxury vehicle collection valued at $500,000+
- Brand partnership agreements
- Mythic Paint spokesperson deal
His wealth has grown steadily since 2006, with significant jumps occurring after landing My Lottery Dream Home in 2015. The show’s popularity and longevity have provided income stability that earlier series couldn’t match.
How Much Does David Bromstad Make From HGTV?
Annual Salary Breakdown
David Bromstad earns an estimated yearly salary of $500,000 from HGTV, primarily through his hosting duties on My Lottery Dream Home. One World Information reports the star earns $500,000 annually from My Lottery Dream Home, plus an additional $30,000 from other television appearances. This brings his total television income to approximately $530,000 per year.
The half-million dollar salary represents compensation for:
- Hosting 12-15 episodes per season
- Promotional appearances and interviews
- Social media content creation
- Network special participations
His annual salary from HGTV is reported around $500,000, making him one of the network’s top earners. This income provides financial security that eluded him during his early design career.
Per-Episode Earnings
Bromstad reportedly earns $70,000 per episode, showcasing the lucrative nature of his television work. With typical seasons containing 12-15 episodes, this per-episode rate aligns with the $500,000 annual estimate. The figure places him above many cable television hosts but below premium reality stars on major networks.
For context, HGTV maintains tight control over salary disclosures. However, industry comparisons provide perspective. The Property Brothers reportedly earned $150,000 per episode at their peak in 2017, suggesting Bromstad’s compensation remains competitive within the network’s pay structure.
Career Earnings Estimate (2006-2025):
- Design Star prize: Car valued at $25,000
- Color Splash (2007-2012): Estimated $600,000-800,000 total
- My Lottery Dream Home (2015-present): Estimated $4.5-5 million
- Other shows and appearances: $500,000+
- Total career television earnings: $5.6-6.3 million (estimated)
Career Earnings Timeline: From Design Star to Dream Home
David Reed Bromstad became the winner of the debut season of HGTV Design Star in 2006. This victory launched his television career and ended years of financial uncertainty.
2006: Design Star Victory Bromstad beat nine other contestants and won the grand prize of a car and the chance to host his own HGTV show. The 2006 Ford Mustang represented his first new vehicle and symbolized his career transformation.
2007-2012: Color Splash Era Since 2007 he has hosted the HGTV series Color Splash, which ran for multiple seasons and established his signature bold design style. The show generated steady income and built his national profile.
2009-2010: Expanding Roles From 2009 to 2010 he hosted Bang for Your Buck, and in 2010 he hosted First Time Design. These additional hosting gigs diversified his income streams during the peak of home renovation television.
2015-Present: My Lottery Dream Home David Bromstad, host of HGTV’s hit series My Lottery Dream Home, began his tenure with HGTV as the Season-1 winner of HGTV Design Star. This show became his most lucrative and longest-running series, now spanning nearly a decade with no signs of ending.
The show’s unique premise—helping lottery winners find dream homes—resonates with audiences and provides consistent content opportunities. Bromstad shared his love of the show, noting “I went from a starving artist to not so starving”.
Multiple Income Streams Beyond Television
Bromstad’s wealth extends beyond HGTV paychecks. David contributes a weekly blog at HGTV and is a spokesperson for Mythic Paint. The Mythic Paint partnership likely generates $50,000-100,000 annually through appearance fees and promotional work.
Additional Revenue Sources:
- Social media sponsorships (449K+ Instagram followers)
- Speaking engagements at design conferences
- Potential design consultation fees
- Merchandise or product line opportunities
- Residuals from syndicated episodes
Bromstad attended the Ringling School of Art and Design in Sarasota, Florida, where he developed artistic skills that enable custom art sales and furniture design work through Bromstad Studio. While television dominates his income, these supplementary streams add stability and diversity to his financial portfolio.
The Financial Struggle Before HGTV Success
Early in his career, Bromstad encountered serious financial setbacks that nearly derailed his artistic dreams. He wanted to be a Disney animator and attended Ringling College of Art and Design, eventually working for Disney but was later laid off.
After the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, his Disney contract ended abruptly, as Disney was only using larger companies for security reasons. This sudden job loss pushed him toward financial ruin.
“A week before losing my house and declaring bankruptcy, I met an interior designer at the gym,” Bromstad recalled. This chance encounter changed everything. The designer gave him a $2,000 budget for a kid’s room project after seeing photos of Bromstad’s work.
After his Disney layoff, he started his own company called Bromstad Studio, which designed fantasy bedrooms for kids. However, early design work wasn’t particularly lucrative—he made only a few hundred dollars per room because he invested so much effort into each project.
“I won ‘Design Star’—that is what I consider my lottery win, because I was living paycheck to paycheck.”
Winning Design Star provided financial security after years of uncertainty. His personal experience with sudden wealth parallels the lottery winners he now helps on television.
Key Financial Turning Points:
- 2001: Disney layoff, near bankruptcy
- 2001-2006: Struggling designer earning hundreds per project
- 2006: Design Star victory and HGTV contract
- 2007: First consistent television income from Color Splash
- 2015: Major salary increase with My Lottery Dream Home
How David Bromstad Spends His Wealth
In 2021, Bromstad purchased a five-bedroom, four-bathroom Tudor home in Florida for $975,000. The spacious property provides room for his bold design aesthetic and represents his largest single investment.
After moving to Orlando, Florida, the designer lived in an apartment for nearly four years before finding the perfect house. The pandemic prompted his search for more space. Bromstad told HGTV he plans to put his spin on the home, stating he would modify it even if it were brand new.
Car Collection: According to Assets Magazine, the designer owns nine luxury cars, including a Porsche 911 and Ferrari Roma. His first luxury vehicle was a 2006 Ford Mustang won on Design Star, which he described as his first brand-new car ever.
Travel and Experiences: Bromstad frequently travels internationally, with trips to Norway, Greece, Portugal, and Amsterdam documented on social media. In August 2023, he climbed 2,000 steps in Norway, conquering his fear of heights.
Fashion Investments: He wears expensive designer pieces, including a rainbow faux fur coat worth $429 and a leopard coat priced at $299, both from Spirithoods. His bold fashion choices reflect his artistic personality and demonstrate comfort with luxury spending.
Disney Passion: Regular Disney World visits and multiple Disney-themed tattoos showcase his ongoing connection to the brand. In 2017, average Disney World tickets cost $115, and Bromstad made multiple visits that year.
Comparing Bromstad to Other HGTV Stars
Despite his wealth, Bromstad sits on the lower end among wealthy HGTV personalities. Jonathan Scott, one of the Property Brothers, is worth $100 million. The Scott brothers diversified beyond television into production companies, real estate investments, and product lines.
HGTV Host Net Worth Comparison:
| Host | Estimated Net Worth | Primary Show(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Jonathan & Drew Scott | $100M each | Property Brothers |
| Chip & Joanna Gaines | $50M combined | Fixer Upper |
| Tarek El Moussa | $15M | Flip or Flop |
| David Bromstad | $2-4M | My Lottery Dream Home |
| Christina Hall | $25M | Christina on the Coast |
The Property Brothers made $150,000 per episode in 2017, according to Fast Company. This rate exceeds Bromstad’s $70,000 per episode, reflecting their additional production roles and business ventures.
The comparison shows Bromstad’s comfortable but not extraordinary wealth within HGTV’s ecosystem. His focus remains primarily on hosting rather than expanding into production, product development, or real estate investing like higher-earning peers.
Actionable Insights:
- Television hosting alone rarely generates eight-figure wealth
- Diversification into production and products drives top-tier earnings
- Consistent long-term shows provide better financial stability than series jumping
- Network loyalty (18+ years) builds reliable income but may limit peak earnings
FAQ: David Bromstad Net Worth Questions
How much is David Bromstad worth in 2025?
David Bromstad’s net worth is $2 million, with some estimates ranging up to $4 million depending on valuation methods for assets.
What is David Bromstad’s salary on My Lottery Dream Home?
He earns approximately $500,000 annually from HGTV, with reports suggesting $70,000 per episode for My Lottery Dream Home.
How did David Bromstad make his money?
Bromstad built his wealth primarily through 18 years of HGTV hosting, starting with his 2006 Design Star victory and continuing with multiple series.
Does David Bromstad earn more than other HGTV hosts?
No, he earns less than top HGTV stars like the Property Brothers ($100M each) but maintains comfortable middle-tier network status.
What happened to David Bromstad financially before HGTV?
He nearly declared bankruptcy in 2001 after Disney laid him off, living paycheck to paycheck until winning Design Star in 2006.
Conclusion
David Bromstad’s $2 million net worth represents a complete financial transformation from near-bankruptcy to television success. His $500,000 annual HGTV salary provides stability earned through 18 years of network loyalty and consistent audience appeal.
The designer’s wealth comes primarily from television hosting rather than diversified business ventures, placing him comfortably in HGTV’s middle earnings tier. His career demonstrates how reality competition victories can launch sustainable entertainment careers, though reaching eight-figure wealth typically requires expansion beyond hosting into production and products.
Bromstad’s journey from “starving artist” to multi-millionaire mirrors the lottery winner stories he shares weekly, making him uniquely qualified to guide sudden-wealth recipients toward their dream homes.
