How much house does $500,000 buy you in Santa Cruz?
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 Santa Cruz?
To find out, Redfin Real Estate found listings near the $500,000 mark to see what types of homes you can actually afford in Santa Cruz right now. Listings below $500,000 were included if necessary.
10158 E Zayante Rd, Felton, CA 95018
- Price: $499,000
- 4 bedrooms, 1 bathroom
- Square feet: 1,318
- See 10158 E Zayante Rd, Felton, CA 95018 on Redfin.com
233 Acorn Dr, Boulder Creek, CA 95006
- Price: $499,000
- 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 847
- See 233 Acorn Dr, Boulder Creek, CA 95006 on Redfin.com
8 Kralj Dr, Watsonville, CA 95076
- Price: $220,000
- 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,515
- See 8 Kralj Dr, Watsonville, CA 95076 on Redfin.com
520 Laguna Crk, Los Gatos, CA 95033
- Price: $499,000
- 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,017
- See 520 Laguna Crk, Los Gatos, CA 95033 on Redfin.com
13330 Irwin Way, Boulder Creek, CA 95006
- Price: $299,000
- 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,496
- See 13330 Irwin Way, Boulder Creek, CA 95006 on Redfin.com
101 Shell Dr, Watsonville, CA 95076
- Price: $275,000
- 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,052
- See 101 Shell Dr, Watsonville, CA 95076 on Redfin.com
101 Shell Dr, Watsonville, CA 95076
- Price: $189,000
- 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,040
- See 101 Shell Dr, Watsonville, CA 95076 on Redfin.com
214 Teilh Dr, Boulder Creek, CA 95006
- Price: $349,000
- 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 573
- See 214 Teilh Dr, Boulder Creek, CA 95006 on Redfin.com
25054 Highland Way, Los Gatos, CA 95033
- Price: $495,000
- 2 bedrooms, 1.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 764
- See 25054 Highland Way, Los Gatos, CA 95033 on Redfin.com
13264 Middleton Ave, Boulder Creek, CA 95006
- Price: $499,000
- 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom
- Square feet: 1,148
- See 13264 Middleton Ave, Boulder Creek, CA 95006 on Redfin.com
300 More Dr, Boulder Creek, CA 95006
- Price: $474,900
- 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom
- Square feet: 919
- See 300 More Dr, Boulder Creek, CA 95006 on Redfin.com
144 Monaco Ln, Boulder Creek, CA 95006
- Price: $399,000
- 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom
- Square feet: 793
- See 144 Monaco Ln, Boulder Creek, CA 95006 on Redfin.com
13550 Bear Creek Rd, Boulder Creek, CA 95006
- Price: $280,000
- 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom
- Square feet: 758
- See 13550 Bear Creek Rd, Boulder Creek, CA 95006 on Redfin.com
101 Silverline Rd, Los Gatos, CA 95033
- Price: $350,000
- 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom
- Square feet: 1,209
- See 101 Silverline Rd, Los Gatos, CA 95033 on Redfin.com
132 Kings Hwy, Boulder Creek, CA 95006
- Price: $379,000
- 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom
- Square feet: 651
- See 132 Kings Hwy, Boulder Creek, CA 95006 on Redfin.com
203 Vista Prieta Ct, Santa Cruz, CA 95062
- Price: $235,000
- 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom
- Square feet: 600
- See 203 Vista Prieta Ct, Santa Cruz, CA 95062 on Redfin.com
210 Vista Prieta Ct, Santa Cruz, CA 95062
- Price: $230,000
- 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom
- Square feet: 600
- See 210 Vista Prieta Ct, Santa Cruz, CA 95062 on Redfin.com
460 River Rd, Felton, CA 95018
- Price: $469,000
- 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom
- Square feet: 577
- See 460 River Rd, Felton, CA 95018 on Redfin.com
2308 7Th Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95062
- Price: $313,000
- 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom
- Square feet: 574
- See 2308 7Th Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95062 on Redfin.com
260 High St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
- Price: $480,000
- 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom
- Square feet: 522
- See 260 High St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060 on Redfin.com
11259 Fresco St, Felton, CA 95018
- Price: $325,000
- 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom
- Square feet: 358
- See 11259 Fresco St, Felton, CA 95018 on Redfin.com
12845 Love Creek Rd, Ben Lomond, CA 95005
- Price: $495,000
- 0 bedrooms, 1 bathroom
- Square feet: 750
- See 12845 Love Creek Rd, Ben Lomond, CA 95005 on Redfin.com
260 High St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
- Price: $340,000
- 0 bedrooms, 1 bathroom
- Square feet: 375
- See 260 High St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060 on Redfin.com
