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

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 Bloomington?

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

6825 E State Road 45, Bloomington, IN 47408
- Price: $499,000
- 8 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,944
- See 6825 E State Road 45, Bloomington, IN 47408 on Redfin.com

3702 E Tamarron Dr, Bloomington, IN 47408
- Price: $499,000
- 5 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms
- Square feet: 3,788
- See 3702 E Tamarron Dr, Bloomington, IN 47408 on Redfin.com

4105 S Hedgewood Dr, Bloomington, IN 47403
- Price: $484,900
- 5 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 3,636
- See 4105 S Hedgewood Dr, Bloomington, IN 47403 on Redfin.com

3821 S Woods Edge Bnd, Bloomington, IN 47401
- Price: $500,000
- 5 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 3,010
- See 3821 S Woods Edge Bnd, Bloomington, IN 47401 on Redfin.com

3951 W Nimita Ct, Bloomington, IN 47404
- Price: $499,000
- 5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,961
- See 3951 W Nimita Ct, Bloomington, IN 47404 on Redfin.com

308 S Madison St, Bloomington, IN 47403
- Price: $499,000
- 5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,351
- See 308 S Madison St, Bloomington, IN 47403 on Redfin.com

701 N Abigail Ln, Ellettsville, IN 47429
- Price: $489,900
- 5 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,802
- See 701 N Abigail Ln, Ellettsville, IN 47429 on Redfin.com

5012 N Kaylee Ct, Bloomington, IN
- Price: $475,000
- 5 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,232
- See 5012 N Kaylee Ct, Bloomington, IN on Redfin.com

7495 N Old State Road 37, Bloomington, IN 47408
- Price: $499,900
- 5 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,904
- See 7495 N Old State Road 37, Bloomington, IN 47408 on Redfin.com

815 S Rose Ave, Bloomington, IN 47401
- Price: $490,000
- 5 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,845
- See 815 S Rose Ave, Bloomington, IN 47401 on Redfin.com

1256 E Zinnia Dr, Bloomington, IN 47401
- Price: $499,900
- 4 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,628
- See 1256 E Zinnia Dr, Bloomington, IN 47401 on Redfin.com

2706 E Hemlock Cir, Bloomington, IN 47401
- Price: $489,000
- 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 3,732
- See 2706 E Hemlock Cir, Bloomington, IN 47401 on Redfin.com

2675 Hickory Hills Rd, Spencer, IN 47460
- Price: $499,000
- 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 3,640
- See 2675 Hickory Hills Rd, Spencer, IN 47460 on Redfin.com

3644 E Tamarron Dr, Bloomington, IN 47408
- Price: $480,000
- 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 3,353
- See 3644 E Tamarron Dr, Bloomington, IN 47408 on Redfin.com

3720 W Cheryl Dr, Bloomington, IN 47404
- Price: $500,000
- 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,536
- See 3720 W Cheryl Dr, Bloomington, IN 47404 on Redfin.com

1408 S Bridwell Ct, Perry Township, IN 47401
- Price: $496,000
- 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,916
- See 1408 S Bridwell Ct, Perry Township, IN 47401 on Redfin.com

672 N Meadowlark Ln, Bloomington, IN 47408
- Price: $499,000
- 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,688
- See 672 N Meadowlark Ln, Bloomington, IN 47408 on Redfin.com

7065 S Fairfax Rd, Bloomington, IN 47401
- Price: $479,900
- 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,568
- See 7065 S Fairfax Rd, Bloomington, IN 47401 on Redfin.com

3615 E Post Rd, Bloomington, IN 47408
- Price: $499,900
- 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,495
- See 3615 E Post Rd, Bloomington, IN 47408 on Redfin.com

3401 Mitten Rd, Bowling Green, IN 47833
- Price: $489,000
- 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,920
- See 3401 Mitten Rd, Bowling Green, IN 47833 on Redfin.com

910 S Manor Rd, Bloomington, IN 47401
- Price: $485,000
- 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,869
- See 910 S Manor Rd, Bloomington, IN 47401 on Redfin.com

7612 W Saddle Gate Dr, Bloomington, IN 47404
- Price: $489,500
- 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,244
- See 7612 W Saddle Gate Dr, Bloomington, IN 47404 on Redfin.com

3121 N Ramble Rd W, Bloomington, IN 47408
- Price: $499,000
- 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,038
- See 3121 N Ramble Rd W, Bloomington, IN 47408 on Redfin.com

4697 S Abington Ave, Bloomington, IN 47403
- Price: $481,000
- 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,065
- See 4697 S Abington Ave, Bloomington, IN 47403 on Redfin.com

982 S Lantern Ln, Ellettsville, IN 47429
- Price: $469,900
- 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,042
- See 982 S Lantern Ln, Ellettsville, IN 47429 on Redfin.com

1749 W Ezekiel Dr, Bloomington, IN 47403
- Price: $485,000
- 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,938
- See 1749 W Ezekiel Dr, Bloomington, IN 47403 on Redfin.com

4647 S Quinn Dr, Bloomington, IN 47403
- Price: $500,000
- 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,840
- See 4647 S Quinn Dr, Bloomington, IN 47403 on Redfin.com

5022 N Zoie Way, Bloomington, IN 47404
- Price: $470,000
- 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,826
- See 5022 N Zoie Way, Bloomington, IN 47404 on Redfin.com

9300 Derrett Rd, Unionville, IN 47468
- Price: $499,900
- 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom
- Square feet: 2,016
- See 9300 Derrett Rd, Unionville, IN 47468 on Redfin.com

2017 E 2Nd St, Bloomington, IN 47401
- Price: $475,000
- 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom
- Square feet: 1,012
- See 2017 E 2Nd St, Bloomington, IN 47401 on Redfin.com