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

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 Bakersfield?

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

1401 Chester Pl, Bakersfield, CA 93304
- Price: $500,000
- 7 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,548
- See 1401 Chester Pl, Bakersfield, CA 93304 on Redfin.com

5808 Esmerelda Ave, Bakersfield, CA 93313
- Price: $499,990
- 5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,806
- See 5808 Esmerelda Ave, Bakersfield, CA 93313 on Redfin.com

3418 Garnet Ave, Rosamond, CA 93560
- Price: $499,990
- 5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,669
- See 3418 Garnet Ave, Rosamond, CA 93560 on Redfin.com

15520 Montalone Pl, Bakersfield, CA 93314
- Price: $500,000
- 5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,535
- See 15520 Montalone Pl, Bakersfield, CA 93314 on Redfin.com

3709 Jewett Ave, Bakersfield, CA 93301
- Price: $500,000
- 5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,654
- See 3709 Jewett Ave, Bakersfield, CA 93301 on Redfin.com

2354 Crimson Ave, Rosamond, CA 93560
- Price: $499,900
- 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,498
- See 2354 Crimson Ave, Rosamond, CA 93560 on Redfin.com

21550 Garibaldi Pl, California City, CA 93505
- Price: $500,000
- 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,306
- See 21550 Garibaldi Pl, California City, CA 93505 on Redfin.com

6607 Wind Wolfs Ln, Bakersfield, CA 93313
- Price: $499,999
- 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,884
- See 6607 Wind Wolfs Ln, Bakersfield, CA 93313 on Redfin.com

14300 Shady Tree Ct, Bakersfield, CA 93314
- Price: $499,999
- 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,842
- See 14300 Shady Tree Ct, Bakersfield, CA 93314 on Redfin.com

7811 Cuyama River St, Bakersfield, CA 93311
- Price: $500,000
- 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,027
- See 7811 Cuyama River St, Bakersfield, CA 93311 on Redfin.com

14016 Las Entradas, Bakersfield, CA 93314
- Price: $499,999
- 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,930
- See 14016 Las Entradas, Bakersfield, CA 93314 on Redfin.com

18 Claudia Autumn Dr, Bakersfield, CA 93314
- Price: $499,999
- 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,541
- See 18 Claudia Autumn Dr, Bakersfield, CA 93314 on Redfin.com

1360 S Lumill St, Ridgecrest, CA 93555
- Price: $499,900
- 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,250
- See 1360 S Lumill St, Ridgecrest, CA 93555 on Redfin.com

9103 Kristina Lynn Ct, Bakersfield, CA 93312
- Price: $500,000
- 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,900
- See 9103 Kristina Lynn Ct, Bakersfield, CA 93312 on Redfin.com

4312 Pacific Grove Ct, Bakersfield, CA 93312
- Price: $499,995
- 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,865
- See 4312 Pacific Grove Ct, Bakersfield, CA 93312 on Redfin.com

3378 Poplar St, Rosamond, CA 93560
- Price: $499,990
- 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,731
- See 3378 Poplar St, Rosamond, CA 93560 on Redfin.com

20022 Bald Mountain Dr, Tehachapi, CA 93561
- Price: $499,500
- 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,632
- See 20022 Bald Mountain Dr, Tehachapi, CA 93561 on Redfin.com

Breckenridge Mtn. Dr, Havilah, CA 93518
- Price: $500,000
- 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 936
- See Breckenridge Mtn. Dr, Havilah, CA 93518 on Redfin.com

22150 Buena Vista St, Tehachapi, CA 93561
- Price: $499,950
- 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,854
- See 22150 Buena Vista St, Tehachapi, CA 93561 on Redfin.com

6000 Eugene Pl, Bakersfield, CA 93308
- Price: $499,999
- 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,759
- See 6000 Eugene Pl, Bakersfield, CA 93308 on Redfin.com

7421 Feather River Dr, Bakersfield, CA 93308
- Price: $500,000
- 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,266
- See 7421 Feather River Dr, Bakersfield, CA 93308 on Redfin.com

11914 Bellinger St, Bakersfield, CA 93311
- Price: $499,900
- 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,156
- See 11914 Bellinger St, Bakersfield, CA 93311 on Redfin.com

22921 Mariposa Rd, Tehachapi, CA 93561
- Price: $499,900
- 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,042
- See 22921 Mariposa Rd, Tehachapi, CA 93561 on Redfin.com

5100 Ruth Ct, Bakersfield, CA 93308
- Price: $499,500
- 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,865
- See 5100 Ruth Ct, Bakersfield, CA 93308 on Redfin.com

21704 Quail Springs Rd, Tehachapi, CA 93561
- Price: $500,000
- 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,848
- See 21704 Quail Springs Rd, Tehachapi, CA 93561 on Redfin.com

2628 Beechwood Way, Pine Mountain Club, CA 93222
- Price: $499,950
- 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,800
- See 2628 Beechwood Way, Pine Mountain Club, CA 93222 on Redfin.com

15420 Live Oak Way, Pine Mountain Club, CA 93222
- Price: $499,999
- 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,704
- See 15420 Live Oak Way, Pine Mountain Club, CA 93222 on Redfin.com

713 Iris St, Bakersfield, CA 93308
- Price: $499,900
- 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom
- Square feet: 2,407
- See 713 Iris St, Bakersfield, CA 93308 on Redfin.com

Private, Havilah, CA 93518
- Price: $500,000
- 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom
- Square feet: 936
- See Private, Havilah, CA 93518 on Redfin.com