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

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 San Francisco?

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

10 Inca Ln, San Francisco, CA 94115
- Price: $499,000
- 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom
- Square feet: 840
- See 10 Inca Ln, San Francisco, CA 94115 on Redfin.com

45 Auburn St, San Francisco, CA 94133
- Price: $499,000
- 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom
- Square feet: 688
- See 45 Auburn St, San Francisco, CA 94133 on Redfin.com

385 Mandarin Dr, Daly City, CA 94015
- Price: $489,000
- 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom
- Square feet: 788
- See 385 Mandarin Dr, Daly City, CA 94015 on Redfin.com

1550 Frontera Way, Millbrae, CA 94030
- Price: $478,888
- 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom
- Square feet: 764
- See 1550 Frontera Way, Millbrae, CA 94030 on Redfin.com

380 Vallejo Dr, Millbrae, CA 94030
- Price: $498,888
- 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom
- Square feet: 764
- See 380 Vallejo Dr, Millbrae, CA 94030 on Redfin.com

1160 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94103
- Price: $499,000
- 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom
- Square feet: 745
- See 1160 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94103 on Redfin.com

464 Clinton St, Redwood City, CA 94062
- Price: $475,000
- 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom
- Square feet: 739
- See 464 Clinton St, Redwood City, CA 94062 on Redfin.com

240 N Bayshore Blvd, San Mateo, CA 94401
- Price: $499,000
- 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom
- Square feet: 725
- See 240 N Bayshore Blvd, San Mateo, CA 94401 on Redfin.com

400 Davey Glen Rd, Belmont, CA 94002
- Price: $499,888
- 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom
- Square feet: 725
- See 400 Davey Glen Rd, Belmont, CA 94002 on Redfin.com

376 Imperial Way, Daly City, CA 94015
- Price: $485,000
- 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom
- Square feet: 717
- See 376 Imperial Way, Daly City, CA 94015 on Redfin.com

1458 Hudson St, Redwood City, CA 94061
- Price: $498,000
- 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom
- Square feet: 710
- See 1458 Hudson St, Redwood City, CA 94061 on Redfin.com

177 N El Camino Real, San Mateo, CA 94401
- Price: $500,000
- 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom
- Square feet: 710
- See 177 N El Camino Real, San Mateo, CA 94401 on Redfin.com

6148 Shelter Creek Ln, San Bruno, CA 94066
- Price: $499,000
- 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom
- Square feet: 680
- See 6148 Shelter Creek Ln, San Bruno, CA 94066 on Redfin.com

4359 Shelter Creek Ln, San Bruno, CA 94066
- Price: $480,000
- 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom
- Square feet: 680
- See 4359 Shelter Creek Ln, San Bruno, CA 94066 on Redfin.com

2149 Shelter Creek Ln, San Bruno, CA 94066
- Price: $499,000
- 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom
- Square feet: 680
- See 2149 Shelter Creek Ln, San Bruno, CA 94066 on Redfin.com

601 Van Ness Ave, San Francisco, CA 94102
- Price: $498,000
- 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom
- Square feet: 676
- See 601 Van Ness Ave, San Francisco, CA 94102 on Redfin.com

1220 La Playa St, San Francisco, CA 94122
- Price: $482,487
- 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom
- Square feet: 633
- See 1220 La Playa St, San Francisco, CA 94122 on Redfin.com

1458 Hudson St, Redwood City, CA 94061
- Price: $499,888
- 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom
- Square feet: 630
- See 1458 Hudson St, Redwood City, CA 94061 on Redfin.com

2250 24Th St, San Francisco, CA 94107
- Price: $485,000
- 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom
- Square feet: 602
- See 2250 24Th St, San Francisco, CA 94107 on Redfin.com

1222 York St, San Francisco, CA 94110
- Price: $498,000
- 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom
- Square feet: 570
- See 1222 York St, San Francisco, CA 94110 on Redfin.com

1075 Market St, San Francisco, CA 94103
- Price: $499,000
- 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom
- Square feet: 564
- See 1075 Market St, San Francisco, CA 94103 on Redfin.com

408 Boardwalk Ave, San Bruno, CA 94066
- Price: $495,000
- 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom
- Square feet: 540
- See 408 Boardwalk Ave, San Bruno, CA 94066 on Redfin.com

360 Guerrero St, San Francisco, CA 94103
- Price: $499,000
- 0 bedrooms, 1 bathroom
- Square feet: 602
- See 360 Guerrero St, San Francisco, CA 94103 on Redfin.com

95 Red Rock Way, San Francisco, CA 94131
- Price: $475,000
- 0 bedrooms, 1 bathroom
- Square feet: 592
- See 95 Red Rock Way, San Francisco, CA 94131 on Redfin.com

1 Daniel Burnham Ct, San Francisco, CA 94109
- Price: $500,000
- 0 bedrooms, 1 bathroom
- Square feet: 586
- See 1 Daniel Burnham Ct, San Francisco, CA 94109 on Redfin.com

960 Market St, San Francisco, CA 94102
- Price: $499,000
- 0 bedrooms, 1 bathroom
- Square feet: 567
- See 960 Market St, San Francisco, CA 94102 on Redfin.com

901 Tennessee St, San Francisco, CA 94107
- Price: $499,000
- 0 bedrooms, 1 bathroom
- Square feet: 397
- See 901 Tennessee St, San Francisco, CA 94107 on Redfin.com