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

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 Portland, Maine?

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

1079 Pequawket Trl, Standish, ME 04091
- Price: $499,000
- 6 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 3,669
- See 1079 Pequawket Trl, Standish, ME 04091 on Redfin.com

52 Highland Ave, Old Orchard Beach, ME 04064
- Price: $500,000
- 6 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,072
- See 52 Highland Ave, Old Orchard Beach, ME 04064 on Redfin.com

8 Mckeen St, Brunswick, ME 04011
- Price: $500,000
- 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,333
- See 8 Mckeen St, Brunswick, ME 04011 on Redfin.com

594 Middlesex Rd, Topsham, ME 04086
- Price: $499,000
- 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,256
- See 594 Middlesex Rd, Topsham, ME 04086 on Redfin.com

852 Gray Rd, Gorham, ME 04038
- Price: $499,000
- 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,964
- See 852 Gray Rd, Gorham, ME 04038 on Redfin.com

19 Eaton Rd, Standish, ME 04084
- Price: $499,000
- 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,960
- See 19 Eaton Rd, Standish, ME 04084 on Redfin.com

87 Wharf Rd, Yarmouth, ME 04096
- Price: $499,900
- 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,788
- See 87 Wharf Rd, Yarmouth, ME 04096 on Redfin.com

1003 Church St, Alfred, ME 04002
- Price: $499,000
- 3 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 4,500
- See 1003 Church St, Alfred, ME 04002 on Redfin.com

9 Hoffmans Way Ln, Georgetown, ME 04548
- Price: $499,000
- 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,510
- See 9 Hoffmans Way Ln, Georgetown, ME 04548 on Redfin.com

28 Copeland St, Berwick, ME 03901
- Price: $500,000
- 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,872
- See 28 Copeland St, Berwick, ME 03901 on Redfin.com

87 Mill Ln, Westbrook, ME 04092
- Price: $500,000
- 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,200
- See 87 Mill Ln, Westbrook, ME 04092 on Redfin.com

31 Snowy Ridge Rd, Windham, ME 04062
- Price: $499,000
- 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,862
- See 31 Snowy Ridge Rd, Windham, ME 04062 on Redfin.com

44 Bridgham Rd, New Gloucester, ME 04260
- Price: $500,000
- 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,814
- See 44 Bridgham Rd, New Gloucester, ME 04260 on Redfin.com

1542 Foxes Ridge Rd, Acton, ME 04001
- Price: $499,900
- 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,460
- See 1542 Foxes Ridge Rd, Acton, ME 04001 on Redfin.com

162 Delaware Ct, Portland, ME 04103
- Price: $499,000
- 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,459
- See 162 Delaware Ct, Portland, ME 04103 on Redfin.com

87 E Shore Dr, Acton, ME 04001
- Price: $499,900
- 3 bedrooms, 1.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,768
- See 87 E Shore Dr, Acton, ME 04001 on Redfin.com

185 Depot Rd, Eliot, ME 03903
- Price: $499,000
- 3 bedrooms, 1.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,210
- See 185 Depot Rd, Eliot, ME 03903 on Redfin.com

124 Westbrook St, South Portland, ME 04106
- Price: $500,000
- 3 bedrooms, 1 bathroom
- Square feet: 1,571
- See 124 Westbrook St, South Portland, ME 04106 on Redfin.com

88 Campbell Pond Rd, West Bath, ME 04530
- Price: $499,999
- 3 bedrooms, 1 bathroom
- Square feet: 973
- See 88 Campbell Pond Rd, West Bath, ME 04530 on Redfin.com

8 Feldspar Ln, Cumberland Center, ME 04021
- Price: $499,900
- 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,225
- See 8 Feldspar Ln, Cumberland Center, ME 04021 on Redfin.com

165 E Grand Ave, Old Orchard Beach, ME 04064
- Price: $499,900
- 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 812
- See 165 E Grand Ave, Old Orchard Beach, ME 04064 on Redfin.com

242 Valley St, Portland, ME 04102
- Price: $499,000
- 2 bedrooms, 1.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,281
- See 242 Valley St, Portland, ME 04102 on Redfin.com

589 York St, York, ME 03909
- Price: $499,000
- 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom
- Square feet: 972
- See 589 York St, York, ME 03909 on Redfin.com

7 Heritage Way, Saco, ME 04072
- Price: $499,000
- 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom
- Square feet: 952
- See 7 Heritage Way, Saco, ME 04072 on Redfin.com

50 Lewis Rd, Kittery, ME 03904
- Price: $499,000
- 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom
- Square feet: 924
- See 50 Lewis Rd, Kittery, ME 03904 on Redfin.com

189 Saco Rd, Hollis Center, ME 04042
- Price: $499,000
- 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom
- Square feet: 896
- See 189 Saco Rd, Hollis Center, ME 04042 on Redfin.com

12 Heritage Way, Saco, ME 04072
- Price: $499,900
- 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom
- Square feet: 819
- See 12 Heritage Way, Saco, ME 04072 on Redfin.com

10 Crockett Rd, Raymond, ME 04071
- Price: $499,000
- 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom
- Square feet: 728
- See 10 Crockett Rd, Raymond, ME 04071 on Redfin.com

14 Serenity Dr, Harpswell, ME 04079
- Price: $499,900
- 2 bedrooms, 0.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 480
- See 14 Serenity Dr, Harpswell, ME 04079 on Redfin.com

31 Ocean Ave, York, ME 03909
- Price: $499,900
- 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom
- Square feet: 813
- See 31 Ocean Ave, York, ME 03909 on Redfin.com