How much house does $500,000 buy you in Phoenix?

Back in 2014, spending $500,000 on a house was generally reserved for high earners. The typical U.S. home sold for $159,000, while starter homes averaged just $101,000. Fast-forward to today, and prices have more than doubled: A standard home now sells for $440,000, with starter homes approaching $300,000. 

These current prices have put homeownership out of reach for many – and things don't look to be improving. Prices are still rising, affordability keeps dropping, and starter homes are becoming harder to find as home values climb. This has created a very sluggish and difficult housing market. In fact, even the usual busy spring and summer buying seasons were unusually slow this year.

While $500,000 once stretched much further, in many cities today, it's not nearly enough. But what about Phoenix?

To find out, Redfin Real Estate found listings near the $500,000 mark to see what types of homes you can actually afford in Phoenix right now. Listings below $500,000 were included if necessary.

704 W 11Th St, Casa Grande, AZ 85122
- Price: $500,000
- 6 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,250
- See 704 W 11Th St, Casa Grande, AZ 85122 on Redfin.com

10328 W Carlota Ln, Peoria, AZ 85383
- Price: $500,000
- 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,537
- See 10328 W Carlota Ln, Peoria, AZ 85383 on Redfin.com

4373 E Gallop Trl, San Tan Valley, AZ 85140
- Price: $500,000
- 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,342
- See 4373 E Gallop Trl, San Tan Valley, AZ 85140 on Redfin.com

7436 E Hannibal St, Mesa, AZ 85207
- Price: $500,000
- 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,184
- See 7436 E Hannibal St, Mesa, AZ 85207 on Redfin.com

4901 W Augusta Cir, Glendale, AZ 85308
- Price: $500,000
- 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,180
- See 4901 W Augusta Cir, Glendale, AZ 85308 on Redfin.com

25583 S 224Th Pl, Queen Creek, AZ 85142
- Price: $500,000
- 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,933
- See 25583 S 224Th Pl, Queen Creek, AZ 85142 on Redfin.com

323 N Hunt Dr E, Mesa, AZ 85203
- Price: $500,000
- 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,842
- See 323 N Hunt Dr E, Mesa, AZ 85203 on Redfin.com

12209 W Washington St, Avondale, AZ 85323
- Price: $500,000
- 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,340
- See 12209 W Washington St, Avondale, AZ 85323 on Redfin.com

20823 N Evergreen Dr, Maricopa, AZ 85138
- Price: $500,000
- 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,325
- See 20823 N Evergreen Dr, Maricopa, AZ 85138 on Redfin.com

14545 W Jenan Dr, Surprise, AZ 85379
- Price: $500,000
- 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,291
- See 14545 W Jenan Dr, Surprise, AZ 85379 on Redfin.com

1248 E Muriel Dr, Phoenix, AZ 85022
- Price: $500,000
- 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,242
- See 1248 E Muriel Dr, Phoenix, AZ 85022 on Redfin.com

10035 E Trent Ave, Mesa, AZ 85212
- Price: $500,000
- 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,039
- See 10035 E Trent Ave, Mesa, AZ 85212 on Redfin.com

4338 E Brookwood Ct, Phoenix, AZ 85048
- Price: $500,000
- 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,863
- See 4338 E Brookwood Ct, Phoenix, AZ 85048 on Redfin.com

3428 E Renee Dr, Phoenix, AZ 85050
- Price: $500,000
- 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,766
- See 3428 E Renee Dr, Phoenix, AZ 85050 on Redfin.com

9185 W Clara Ln, Peoria, AZ 85382
- Price: $500,000
- 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,173
- See 9185 W Clara Ln, Peoria, AZ 85382 on Redfin.com

18254 W Via Montoya Dr, Surprise, AZ 85387
- Price: $500,000
- 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,988
- See 18254 W Via Montoya Dr, Surprise, AZ 85387 on Redfin.com

13695 W Jesse Red Dr, Peoria, AZ 85383
- Price: $500,000
- 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,874
- See 13695 W Jesse Red Dr, Peoria, AZ 85383 on Redfin.com

2116 E Colgate Dr, Tempe, AZ 85283
- Price: $500,000
- 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,792
- See 2116 E Colgate Dr, Tempe, AZ 85283 on Redfin.com

1690 W Gunstock Loop, Chandler, AZ 85286
- Price: $500,000
- 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,647
- See 1690 W Gunstock Loop, Chandler, AZ 85286 on Redfin.com

4619 W Orchid Ln, Chandler, AZ 85226
- Price: $500,000
- 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,400
- See 4619 W Orchid Ln, Chandler, AZ 85226 on Redfin.com

2531 N 15Th St, Phoenix, AZ 85006
- Price: $500,000
- 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,234
- See 2531 N 15Th St, Phoenix, AZ 85006 on Redfin.com

33575 N Dove Lakes Dr, Cave Creek, AZ 85331
- Price: $500,000
- 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,702
- See 33575 N Dove Lakes Dr, Cave Creek, AZ 85331 on Redfin.com

20393 W Hillcrest Blvd, Buckeye, AZ 85396
- Price: $500,000
- 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,657
- See 20393 W Hillcrest Blvd, Buckeye, AZ 85396 on Redfin.com

26268 W Louise Dr, Buckeye, AZ 85396
- Price: $500,000
- 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,612
- See 26268 W Louise Dr, Buckeye, AZ 85396 on Redfin.com

3935 E Rough Rider Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85050
- Price: $500,000
- 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,589
- See 3935 E Rough Rider Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85050 on Redfin.com

2511 W Queen Creek Rd, Chandler, AZ 85248
- Price: $500,000
- 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,346
- See 2511 W Queen Creek Rd, Chandler, AZ 85248 on Redfin.com

2511 W Queen Creek Rd, Chandler, AZ 85248
- Price: $500,000
- 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,346
- See 2511 W Queen Creek Rd, Chandler, AZ 85248 on Redfin.com

9061 E Evans Dr, Scottsdale, AZ 85260
- Price: $500,000
- 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,100
- See 9061 E Evans Dr, Scottsdale, AZ 85260 on Redfin.com

7009 E Acoma Dr, Scottsdale, AZ 85254
- Price: $500,000
- 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 972
- See 7009 E Acoma Dr, Scottsdale, AZ 85254 on Redfin.com