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

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 Bowling Green?

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

1357 State St, Bowling Green, KY 42101
- Price: $499,900
- 5 bedrooms, 4.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 3,416
- See 1357 State St, Bowling Green, KY 42101 on Redfin.com

739 Newman Way, Bowling Green, KY 42104
- Price: $499,900
- 5 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,777
- See 739 Newman Way, Bowling Green, KY 42104 on Redfin.com

9750 Russellville Rd, Rockfield, KY 42274
- Price: $499,900
- 5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,842
- See 9750 Russellville Rd, Rockfield, KY 42274 on Redfin.com

991 College St, Smiths Grove, KY 42171
- Price: $475,000
- 4 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,800
- See 991 College St, Smiths Grove, KY 42171 on Redfin.com

1027 Fairway St, Bowling Green, KY 42103
- Price: $499,900
- 4 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,751
- See 1027 Fairway St, Bowling Green, KY 42103 on Redfin.com

306 Mcintyre St, Bowling Green, KY 42101
- Price: $499,900
- 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,885
- See 306 Mcintyre St, Bowling Green, KY 42101 on Redfin.com

970 Ironwood Dr, Bowling Green, KY 42103
- Price: $489,900
- 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,845
- See 970 Ironwood Dr, Bowling Green, KY 42103 on Redfin.com

1222 Warrior Ln, Bowling Green, KY 42104
- Price: $498,900
- 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,625
- See 1222 Warrior Ln, Bowling Green, KY 42104 on Redfin.com

647 New Cut Rd, Bowling Green, KY 42103
- Price: $499,900
- 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,457
- See 647 New Cut Rd, Bowling Green, KY 42103 on Redfin.com

2182 Annapolis Ln, , KY 42103
- Price: $499,900
- 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,350
- See 2182 Annapolis Ln, , KY 42103 on Redfin.com

3424 Amber Ct, Bowling Green, KY 42104
- Price: $499,900
- 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 3,200
- See 3424 Amber Ct, Bowling Green, KY 42104 on Redfin.com

1272 Saddlebred Ln, Bowling Green, KY 42104
- Price: $492,800
- 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,860
- See 1272 Saddlebred Ln, Bowling Green, KY 42104 on Redfin.com

9945 Creamery Ln, Bowling Green, KY 42101
- Price: $489,800
- 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,677
- See 9945 Creamery Ln, Bowling Green, KY 42101 on Redfin.com

1209 Spencer Rd, Scottsville, KY 42164
- Price: $495,000
- 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,519
- See 1209 Spencer Rd, Scottsville, KY 42164 on Redfin.com

1422 Beaumont Dr, Bowling Green, KY 42104
- Price: $499,900
- 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,477
- See 1422 Beaumont Dr, Bowling Green, KY 42104 on Redfin.com

458 Shaker Mill Bend Rd, Bowling Green, KY 42103
- Price: $479,900
- 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,155
- See 458 Shaker Mill Bend Rd, Bowling Green, KY 42103 on Redfin.com

1434 Boulder Ct, Bowling Green, KY 42104
- Price: $475,000
- 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,232
- See 1434 Boulder Ct, Bowling Green, KY 42104 on Redfin.com

386 Ben Thomas South Rd, Bowling Green, KY 42103
- Price: $500,000
- 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 3,053
- See 386 Ben Thomas South Rd, Bowling Green, KY 42103 on Redfin.com

151 Augusta Ave, Bowling Green, KY 42103
- Price: $495,000
- 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,575
- See 151 Augusta Ave, Bowling Green, KY 42103 on Redfin.com

5125 Halifax Rd, Scottsville, KY 42164
- Price: $495,000
- 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,431
- See 5125 Halifax Rd, Scottsville, KY 42164 on Redfin.com

205 Grandview Dr, Scottsville, KY 42164
- Price: $499,900
- 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,014
- See 205 Grandview Dr, Scottsville, KY 42164 on Redfin.com

396 Olympia Ct, , KY 42103
- Price: $488,400
- 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,600
- See 396 Olympia Ct, , KY 42103 on Redfin.com

2194 Annapolis Ln, Bowling Green, KY 42103
- Price: $498,000
- 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,560
- See 2194 Annapolis Ln, Bowling Green, KY 42103 on Redfin.com

1447 Boulder Ct, Bowling Green, KY 42104
- Price: $479,900
- 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,417
- See 1447 Boulder Ct, Bowling Green, KY 42104 on Redfin.com

7639 Bowling Green Rd, Scottsville, KY 42164
- Price: $499,900
- 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,744
- See 7639 Bowling Green Rd, Scottsville, KY 42164 on Redfin.com

5427 Penns Chapel Rd, Bowling Green, KY 42101
- Price: $479,000
- 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 4,365
- See 5427 Penns Chapel Rd, Bowling Green, KY 42101 on Redfin.com

2269 Lodge Hall Rd, Bowling Green, KY 42101
- Price: $474,999
- 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,567
- See 2269 Lodge Hall Rd, Bowling Green, KY 42101 on Redfin.com

2043 Highland Church Rd, Bowling Green, KY 42101
- Price: $475,000
- 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,300
- See 2043 Highland Church Rd, Bowling Green, KY 42101 on Redfin.com

1746 Hazel Farms Ln, Alvaton, KY 42122
- Price: $485,000
- 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,110
- See 1746 Hazel Farms Ln, Alvaton, KY 42122 on Redfin.com

166 Lewis Rd, Brownsville, KY 42210
- Price: $475,000
- 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,862
- See 166 Lewis Rd, Brownsville, KY 42210 on Redfin.com