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

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 Elkhart?

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

23306 Bluff Crest Dr, Elkhart, IN 46516
- Price: $499,900
- 6 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 4,112
- See 23306 Bluff Crest Dr, Elkhart, IN 46516 on Redfin.com

2727 Martin Manor Dr, Goshen, IN 46526
- Price: $490,000
- 5 bedrooms, 4.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 4,056
- See 2727 Martin Manor Dr, Goshen, IN 46526 on Redfin.com

3111 E Lake Dr N, Elkhart, IN 46514
- Price: $479,000
- 5 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 5,272
- See 3111 E Lake Dr N, Elkhart, IN 46514 on Redfin.com

23627 Ashton Ct, Elkhart, IN 46517
- Price: $459,000
- 5 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 3,516
- See 23627 Ashton Ct, Elkhart, IN 46517 on Redfin.com

55300 Falling Water Dr, Elkhart, IN 46514
- Price: $450,000
- 5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 3,326
- See 55300 Falling Water Dr, Elkhart, IN 46514 on Redfin.com

3 Kim Ct, Elkhart, IN 46514
- Price: $499,000
- 4 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 3,998
- See 3 Kim Ct, Elkhart, IN 46514 on Redfin.com

10858 County Road 4, Middlebury, IN 46540
- Price: $455,000
- 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 3,840
- See 10858 County Road 4, Middlebury, IN 46540 on Redfin.com

437 E Beardsley Ave, Elkhart, IN 46514
- Price: $430,000
- 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 3,609
- See 437 E Beardsley Ave, Elkhart, IN 46514 on Redfin.com

30330 Pine Bluff Dr, Elkhart, IN 46517
- Price: $469,900
- 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 3,236
- See 30330 Pine Bluff Dr, Elkhart, IN 46517 on Redfin.com

57384 Emerald Chase Ln, Goshen, IN 46528
- Price: $465,000
- 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 3,203
- See 57384 Emerald Chase Ln, Goshen, IN 46528 on Redfin.com

22376 Via Del Corso, Elkhart, IN 46516
- Price: $459,000
- 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,950
- See 22376 Via Del Corso, Elkhart, IN 46516 on Redfin.com

13745 Ranier Dr, Middlebury, IN 46540
- Price: $469,900
- 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,788
- See 13745 Ranier Dr, Middlebury, IN 46540 on Redfin.com

312 Bristol Ave, Middlebury, IN 46540
- Price: $455,000
- 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 3,640
- See 312 Bristol Ave, Middlebury, IN 46540 on Redfin.com

13762 Shavano Peak Dr, Middlebury, IN 46540
- Price: $489,500
- 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,352
- See 13762 Shavano Peak Dr, Middlebury, IN 46540 on Redfin.com

21330 Echo Ln, Bristol, IN 46507
- Price: $435,000
- 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 3,768
- See 21330 Echo Ln, Bristol, IN 46507 on Redfin.com

1502 Greenleaf Blvd, Elkhart, IN 46514
- Price: $449,900
- 3 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 5,160
- See 1502 Greenleaf Blvd, Elkhart, IN 46514 on Redfin.com

2554 Timberstone Dr, Elkhart, IN 46514
- Price: $449,000
- 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,100
- See 2554 Timberstone Dr, Elkhart, IN 46514 on Redfin.com

60232 State Road 15, Goshen, IN 46528
- Price: $489,900
- 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 3,616
- See 60232 State Road 15, Goshen, IN 46528 on Redfin.com

18546 Madison Ct, Goshen, IN 46528
- Price: $439,900
- 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 3,037
- See 18546 Madison Ct, Goshen, IN 46528 on Redfin.com

57467 County Road 19, Goshen, IN 46528
- Price: $459,000
- 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,768
- See 57467 County Road 19, Goshen, IN 46528 on Redfin.com

57207 County Road 13, Elkhart, IN 46516
- Price: $479,000
- 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,360
- See 57207 County Road 13, Elkhart, IN 46516 on Redfin.com

51272 County Road 7, Elkhart, IN 46514
- Price: $479,000
- 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,336
- See 51272 County Road 7, Elkhart, IN 46514 on Redfin.com

53281 Red Oak Ct, Bristol, IN 46507
- Price: $435,000
- 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,903
- See 53281 Red Oak Ct, Bristol, IN 46507 on Redfin.com

136 Kousa Ct, Goshen, IN 46526
- Price: $458,900
- 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,764
- See 136 Kousa Ct, Goshen, IN 46526 on Redfin.com

65101 County Road 1, Wakarusa, IN 46573
- Price: $475,000
- 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,359
- See 65101 County Road 1, Wakarusa, IN 46573 on Redfin.com

2583 Timberstone Dr, Elkhart, IN 46514
- Price: $474,900
- 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,986
- See 2583 Timberstone Dr, Elkhart, IN 46514 on Redfin.com

15981 County Road 22, Middlebury, IN 46540
- Price: $475,000
- 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,928
- See 15981 County Road 22, Middlebury, IN 46540 on Redfin.com

2548 Timberstone Dr, Elkhart, IN 46514
- Price: $475,000
- 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,685
- See 2548 Timberstone Dr, Elkhart, IN 46514 on Redfin.com

71748 County Road 9, Nappanee, IN 46550
- Price: $455,000
- 2 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 3,225
- See 71748 County Road 9, Nappanee, IN 46550 on Redfin.com

4034 Timber Ct, Elkhart, IN 46514
- Price: $449,900
- 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,420
- See 4034 Timber Ct, Elkhart, IN 46514 on Redfin.com