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

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 Luis Obispo?

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 Luis Obispo right now. Listings below $500,000 were included if necessary.

4313 Longview Ln, Paso Robles, CA 93446
- Price: $495,000
- 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,440
- See 4313 Longview Ln, Paso Robles, CA 93446 on Redfin.com

160 N 3Rd St, Shandon, CA 93461
- Price: $449,000
- 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,152
- See 160 N 3Rd St, Shandon, CA 93461 on Redfin.com

2003 Green Brook Ln, Paso Robles, CA 93446
- Price: $499,999
- 3 bedrooms, 1.8 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,283
- See 2003 Green Brook Ln, Paso Robles, CA 93446 on Redfin.com

139 Flag Way, Paso Robles, CA 93446
- Price: $459,000
- 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,218
- See 139 Flag Way, Paso Robles, CA 93446 on Redfin.com

121 Flag Way, Paso Robles, CA 93446
- Price: $429,000
- 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,218
- See 121 Flag Way, Paso Robles, CA 93446 on Redfin.com

1824 Shepherd Dr, Paso Robles, CA 93446
- Price: $399,000
- 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,168
- See 1824 Shepherd Dr, Paso Robles, CA 93446 on Redfin.com

3802 Ranch House Rd, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
- Price: $460,000
- 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,139
- See 3802 Ranch House Rd, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 on Redfin.com

128 Flag Way, Paso Robles, CA 93446
- Price: $449,000
- 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,100
- See 128 Flag Way, Paso Robles, CA 93446 on Redfin.com

45 Sombrilla Ct, Atascadero, CA 93422
- Price: $485,000
- 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 994
- See 45 Sombrilla Ct, Atascadero, CA 93422 on Redfin.com

1823 Kimberly Dr, Paso Robles, CA 93446
- Price: $450,000
- 2 bedrooms, 1.8 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,088
- See 1823 Kimberly Dr, Paso Robles, CA 93446 on Redfin.com

3802 Ranch House Rd, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
- Price: $460,000
- 2 bedrooms, 1.8 bathrooms
- Square feet: 909
- See 3802 Ranch House Rd, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 on Redfin.com

2182 Ridge Rider Rd, Bradley, CA 93426
- Price: $448,000
- 2 bedrooms, 1.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,221
- See 2182 Ridge Rider Rd, Bradley, CA 93426 on Redfin.com

1 Quail Ridge Dr, Atascadero, CA 93422
- Price: $464,900
- 2 bedrooms, 1.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,041
- See 1 Quail Ridge Dr, Atascadero, CA 93422 on Redfin.com

123 Olive St, Paso Robles, CA 93446
- Price: $449,000
- 2 bedrooms, 1.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 960
- See 123 Olive St, Paso Robles, CA 93446 on Redfin.com

2650 Main St, Cambria, CA 93428
- Price: $474,000
- 2 bedrooms, 1.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 896
- See 2650 Main St, Cambria, CA 93428 on Redfin.com

4677 Silver Saddle Ln, Paso Robles, CA 93446
- Price: $489,000
- 2 bedrooms, 1.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 896
- See 4677 Silver Saddle Ln, Paso Robles, CA 93446 on Redfin.com

1084 Baden Ave, Grover Beach, CA 93433
- Price: $430,000
- 2 bedrooms, 1.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 876
- See 1084 Baden Ave, Grover Beach, CA 93433 on Redfin.com

607 30Th St, Paso Robles, CA 93446
- Price: $498,000
- 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom
- Square feet: 944
- See 607 30Th St, Paso Robles, CA 93446 on Redfin.com

2975 Rockview Pl, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
- Price: $498,000
- 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom
- Square feet: 907
- See 2975 Rockview Pl, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 on Redfin.com

242 N 10Th St, Grover Beach, CA 93433
- Price: $495,000
- 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom
- Square feet: 902
- See 242 N 10Th St, Grover Beach, CA 93433 on Redfin.com

1024 Baden Ave, Grover Beach, CA 93433
- Price: $430,000
- 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom
- Square feet: 876
- See 1024 Baden Ave, Grover Beach, CA 93433 on Redfin.com

232 Memphis Belle Way, San Luis Obispo, CA
- Price: $437,650
- 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom
- Square feet: 819
- See 232 Memphis Belle Way, San Luis Obispo, CA on Redfin.com

1719 Lark Ellen Dr, Paso Robles, CA 93446
- Price: $399,999
- 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom
- Square feet: 796
- See 1719 Lark Ellen Dr, Paso Robles, CA 93446 on Redfin.com

147 S 11Th St, Grover Beach, CA 93433
- Price: $499,000
- 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom
- Square feet: 532
- See 147 S 11Th St, Grover Beach, CA 93433 on Redfin.com

1075 Ella St, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
- Price: $421,925
- 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom
- Square feet: 835
- See 1075 Ella St, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 on Redfin.com

645 Morro Ave, Morro Bay, CA 93442
- Price: $498,500
- 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom
- Square feet: 631
- See 645 Morro Ave, Morro Bay, CA 93442 on Redfin.com

4940 Arizona Ave, Atascadero, CA 93422
- Price: $449,000
- 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom
- Square feet: 630
- See 4940 Arizona Ave, Atascadero, CA 93422 on Redfin.com

5985 Dolores Ave, Atascadero, CA 93422
- Price: $450,000
- 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom
- Square feet: 576
- See 5985 Dolores Ave, Atascadero, CA 93422 on Redfin.com

2475 Victoria Ave, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
- Price: $479,000
- 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom
- Square feet: 534
- See 2475 Victoria Ave, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 on Redfin.com

451 W Grand Ave, Grover Beach, CA 93433
- Price: $435,000
- 0 bedrooms, 1 bathroom
- Square feet: 576
- See 451 W Grand Ave, Grover Beach, CA 93433 on Redfin.com