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

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 Maria?

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

65 Pato Ave, New Cuyama, CA 93254
- Price: $324,999
- 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,913
- See 65 Pato Ave, New Cuyama, CA 93254 on Redfin.com

828 E Boone St, Santa Maria, CA 93454
- Price: $395,000
- 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,850
- See 828 E Boone St, Santa Maria, CA 93454 on Redfin.com

1239 Riverside Dr, Lompoc, CA 93436
- Price: $430,000
- 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,587
- See 1239 Riverside Dr, Lompoc, CA 93436 on Redfin.com

1302 Linda Vista Dr, Lompoc, CA 93436
- Price: $419,000
- 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,448
- See 1302 Linda Vista Dr, Lompoc, CA 93436 on Redfin.com

1127 Bell Ave, Lompoc, CA 93436
- Price: $435,000
- 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,448
- See 1127 Bell Ave, Lompoc, CA 93436 on Redfin.com

1317 Riverside Dr, Lompoc, CA 93436
- Price: $425,000
- 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,450
- See 1317 Riverside Dr, Lompoc, CA 93436 on Redfin.com

1412 Via Arbolitos, Santa Maria, CA 93458
- Price: $495,000
- 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,109
- See 1412 Via Arbolitos, Santa Maria, CA 93458 on Redfin.com

262 Castro Cyn, Cuyama, CA 93254
- Price: $499,000
- 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,000
- See 262 Castro Cyn, Cuyama, CA 93254 on Redfin.com

426 S H St, Lompoc, CA 93436
- Price: $499,900
- 3 bedrooms, 1 bathroom
- Square feet: 1,880
- See 426 S H St, Lompoc, CA 93436 on Redfin.com

1317 N Western Ave, Santa Maria, CA 93458
- Price: $458,825
- 3 bedrooms, 1 bathroom
- Square feet: 988
- See 1317 N Western Ave, Santa Maria, CA 93458 on Redfin.com

310 El Calle Jon, Santa Maria, CA 93454
- Price: $454,999
- 2 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,712
- See 310 El Calle Jon, Santa Maria, CA 93454 on Redfin.com

1226 Calle De Campo, Santa Maria, CA 93454
- Price: $485,000
- 2 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,594
- See 1226 Calle De Campo, Santa Maria, CA 93454 on Redfin.com

4050 El Roblar St, New Cuyama, CA 93254
- Price: $330,000
- 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,595
- See 4050 El Roblar St, New Cuyama, CA 93254 on Redfin.com

135 N J St, Lompoc, CA 93436
- Price: $399,000
- 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,357
- See 135 N J St, Lompoc, CA 93436 on Redfin.com

1120 Devonshire Pl, Santa Maria, CA 93455
- Price: $415,000
- 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,344
- See 1120 Devonshire Pl, Santa Maria, CA 93455 on Redfin.com

23 Village Circle Dr, Lompoc, CA 93436
- Price: $379,000
- 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,084
- See 23 Village Circle Dr, Lompoc, CA 93436 on Redfin.com

493 Live Oak Rd, Lompoc, CA
- Price: $461,990
- 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,064
- See 493 Live Oak Rd, Lompoc, CA on Redfin.com

491 Live Oak Rd, Lompoc, CA
- Price: $461,990
- 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,064
- See 491 Live Oak Rd, Lompoc, CA on Redfin.com

484 Live Oak Rd, Lompoc, CA
- Price: $463,990
- 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,064
- See 484 Live Oak Rd, Lompoc, CA on Redfin.com

1101 W Cypress Ave, Lompoc, CA 93436
- Price: $325,000
- 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 953
- See 1101 W Cypress Ave, Lompoc, CA 93436 on Redfin.com

905 N L St, Lompoc, CA 93436
- Price: $410,000
- 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 952
- See 905 N L St, Lompoc, CA 93436 on Redfin.com

4006 California 33, Maricopa, CA 93252
- Price: $375,000
- 2 bedrooms, 1.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,078
- See 4006 California 33, Maricopa, CA 93252 on Redfin.com

1317 W Cypress Ave, Lompoc, CA 93436
- Price: $360,000
- 2 bedrooms, 1.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,020
- See 1317 W Cypress Ave, Lompoc, CA 93436 on Redfin.com

115 El Gaucho Ln, Santa Barbara, CA 93105
- Price: $404,999
- 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom
- Square feet: 1,169
- See 115 El Gaucho Ln, Santa Barbara, CA 93105 on Redfin.com

5051 California 33, Maricopa, CA 93252
- Price: $395,000
- 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom
- Square feet: 1,100
- See 5051 California 33, Maricopa, CA 93252 on Redfin.com

211 E Newlove Dr, Santa Maria, CA 93454
- Price: $350,000
- 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom
- Square feet: 1,100
- See 211 E Newlove Dr, Santa Maria, CA 93454 on Redfin.com

1676 Maple Ave, Solvang, CA 93463
- Price: $419,000
- 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom
- Square feet: 880
- See 1676 Maple Ave, Solvang, CA 93463 on Redfin.com

1200 E Walnut Ave, Lompoc, CA 93436
- Price: $329,900
- 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom
- Square feet: 848
- See 1200 E Walnut Ave, Lompoc, CA 93436 on Redfin.com

82 La Mesa Ln, Santa Barbara, CA 93105
- Price: $420,000
- 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom
- Square feet: 535
- See 82 La Mesa Ln, Santa Barbara, CA 93105 on Redfin.com