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

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 California, Maryland?

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

44018 Bellflower Way, California, MD 20619
- Price: $489,990
- 5 bedrooms, 4.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 3,455
- See 44018 Bellflower Way, California, MD 20619 on Redfin.com

37681 Asher Rd, Mechanicsville, MD 20659
- Price: $494,000
- 5 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms
- Square feet: 3,004
- See 37681 Asher Rd, Mechanicsville, MD 20659 on Redfin.com

46159 Seabiscuit Ct, Lexington Park, MD 20653
- Price: $498,999
- 5 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 3,511
- See 46159 Seabiscuit Ct, Lexington Park, MD 20653 on Redfin.com

18394 Chestnut St, Lexington Park, MD 20653
- Price: $475,000
- 5 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,868
- See 18394 Chestnut St, Lexington Park, MD 20653 on Redfin.com

47311 Willow Wood Dr, Lexington Park, MD 20653
- Price: $469,900
- 5 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,326
- See 47311 Willow Wood Dr, Lexington Park, MD 20653 on Redfin.com

15363 Holly Dr, Scotland, MD 20687
- Price: $490,000
- 5 bedrooms, 1.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,344
- See 15363 Holly Dr, Scotland, MD 20687 on Redfin.com

20813 Skipjack Ct, Lexington Park, MD 20653
- Price: $494,900
- 4 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 3,592
- See 20813 Skipjack Ct, Lexington Park, MD 20653 on Redfin.com

20640 Ramsey Dr, Lexington Park, MD 20653
- Price: $475,000
- 4 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 3,588
- See 20640 Ramsey Dr, Lexington Park, MD 20653 on Redfin.com

48875 George Bonds Ln, Saint Inigoes, MD 20684
- Price: $499,000
- 4 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,502
- See 48875 George Bonds Ln, Saint Inigoes, MD 20684 on Redfin.com

44183 Goldenzelle Way, California, MD 20619
- Price: $474,900
- 4 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,232
- See 44183 Goldenzelle Way, California, MD 20619 on Redfin.com

47135 Festival Ct, Lexington Park, MD 20653
- Price: $470,000
- 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,891
- See 47135 Festival Ct, Lexington Park, MD 20653 on Redfin.com

19809 Point Lookout Rd, Lexington Park, MD 20653
- Price: $488,000
- 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 3,268
- See 19809 Point Lookout Rd, Lexington Park, MD 20653 on Redfin.com

22622 Woods Ln, Lexington Park, MD 20653
- Price: $489,500
- 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 3,227
- See 22622 Woods Ln, Lexington Park, MD 20653 on Redfin.com

39352 Wood Duck Ct, Mechanicsville, MD 20659
- Price: $500,000
- 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,850
- See 39352 Wood Duck Ct, Mechanicsville, MD 20659 on Redfin.com

44014 Silverwood Ln, California, MD 20619
- Price: $489,990
- 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,553
- See 44014 Silverwood Ln, California, MD 20619 on Redfin.com

44892 Golden Eye Ct, Callaway, MD 20620
- Price: $485,000
- 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,536
- See 44892 Golden Eye Ct, Callaway, MD 20620 on Redfin.com

41900 Nazareth Ct, Leonardtown, MD 20650
- Price: $470,000
- 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,528
- See 41900 Nazareth Ct, Leonardtown, MD 20650 on Redfin.com

20957 Brooke Ann Ct, Lexington Park, MD 20653
- Price: $470,000
- 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,244
- See 20957 Brooke Ann Ct, Lexington Park, MD 20653 on Redfin.com

44947 Blackistone Cir, Hollywood, MD 20636
- Price: $485,000
- 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,448
- See 44947 Blackistone Cir, Hollywood, MD 20636 on Redfin.com

40534 Miss Ettas Way, Leonardtown, MD 20650
- Price: $470,000
- 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,770
- See 40534 Miss Ettas Way, Leonardtown, MD 20650 on Redfin.com

21060 Hermanville Rd, Lexington Park, MD 20653
- Price: $485,000
- 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 3,517
- See 21060 Hermanville Rd, Lexington Park, MD 20653 on Redfin.com

25365 Point Lookout Rd, Leonardtown, MD 20650
- Price: $497,500
- 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,952
- See 25365 Point Lookout Rd, Leonardtown, MD 20650 on Redfin.com

43220 Rosalinds Dr, Hollywood, MD 20636
- Price: $494,900
- 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,669
- See 43220 Rosalinds Dr, Hollywood, MD 20636 on Redfin.com

26188 Skyview Dr, Hollywood, MD 20636
- Price: $499,000
- 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,150
- See 26188 Skyview Dr, Hollywood, MD 20636 on Redfin.com

24735 Red Hill Ct, Hollywood, MD 20636
- Price: $485,000
- 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,792
- See 24735 Red Hill Ct, Hollywood, MD 20636 on Redfin.com

44158 Honeysuckle Ln, California, MD 20619
- Price: $494,990
- 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,369
- See 44158 Honeysuckle Ln, California, MD 20619 on Redfin.com

30087 Cross Woods Dr, Mechanicsville, MD 20659
- Price: $499,000
- 3 bedrooms, 1.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,296
- See 30087 Cross Woods Dr, Mechanicsville, MD 20659 on Redfin.com

18448 Three Notch Rd, Lexington Park, MD 20653
- Price: $474,900
- 2 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,456
- See 18448 Three Notch Rd, Lexington Park, MD 20653 on Redfin.com

46080 E Sunrise Dr, Lexington Park, MD 20653
- Price: $469,900
- 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,372
- See 46080 E Sunrise Dr, Lexington Park, MD 20653 on Redfin.com

39020 Sonnie Way, Clements, MD 20624
- Price: $499,000
- 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom
- Square feet: 392
- See 39020 Sonnie Way, Clements, MD 20624 on Redfin.com