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

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

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 San Francisco?

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

10 Inca Ln, San Francisco, CA 94115
– Price: $499,000
– 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom
– Square feet: 840
– See 10 Inca Ln, San Francisco, CA 94115 on Redfin.com

45 Auburn St, San Francisco, CA 94133
– Price: $499,000
– 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom
– Square feet: 688
– See 45 Auburn St, San Francisco, CA 94133 on Redfin.com

385 Mandarin Dr, Daly City, CA 94015
– Price: $489,000
– 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom
– Square feet: 788
– See 385 Mandarin Dr, Daly City, CA 94015 on Redfin.com

1550 Frontera Way, Millbrae, CA 94030
– Price: $478,888
– 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom
– Square feet: 764
– See 1550 Frontera Way, Millbrae, CA 94030 on Redfin.com

380 Vallejo Dr, Millbrae, CA 94030
– Price: $498,888
– 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom
– Square feet: 764
– See 380 Vallejo Dr, Millbrae, CA 94030 on Redfin.com

1160 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94103
– Price: $499,000
– 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom
– Square feet: 745
– See 1160 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94103 on Redfin.com

464 Clinton St, Redwood City, CA 94062
– Price: $475,000
– 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom
– Square feet: 739
– See 464 Clinton St, Redwood City, CA 94062 on Redfin.com

240 N Bayshore Blvd, San Mateo, CA 94401
– Price: $499,000
– 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom
– Square feet: 725
– See 240 N Bayshore Blvd, San Mateo, CA 94401 on Redfin.com

400 Davey Glen Rd, Belmont, CA 94002
– Price: $499,888
– 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom
– Square feet: 725
– See 400 Davey Glen Rd, Belmont, CA 94002 on Redfin.com

376 Imperial Way, Daly City, CA 94015
– Price: $485,000
– 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom
– Square feet: 717
– See 376 Imperial Way, Daly City, CA 94015 on Redfin.com

1458 Hudson St, Redwood City, CA 94061
– Price: $498,000
– 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom
– Square feet: 710
– See 1458 Hudson St, Redwood City, CA 94061 on Redfin.com

177 N El Camino Real, San Mateo, CA 94401
– Price: $500,000
– 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom
– Square feet: 710
– See 177 N El Camino Real, San Mateo, CA 94401 on Redfin.com

6148 Shelter Creek Ln, San Bruno, CA 94066
– Price: $499,000
– 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom
– Square feet: 680
– See 6148 Shelter Creek Ln, San Bruno, CA 94066 on Redfin.com

4359 Shelter Creek Ln, San Bruno, CA 94066
– Price: $480,000
– 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom
– Square feet: 680
– See 4359 Shelter Creek Ln, San Bruno, CA 94066 on Redfin.com

2149 Shelter Creek Ln, San Bruno, CA 94066
– Price: $499,000
– 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom
– Square feet: 680
– See 2149 Shelter Creek Ln, San Bruno, CA 94066 on Redfin.com

601 Van Ness Ave, San Francisco, CA 94102
– Price: $498,000
– 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom
– Square feet: 676
– See 601 Van Ness Ave, San Francisco, CA 94102 on Redfin.com

1220 La Playa St, San Francisco, CA 94122
– Price: $482,487
– 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom
– Square feet: 633
– See 1220 La Playa St, San Francisco, CA 94122 on Redfin.com

1458 Hudson St, Redwood City, CA 94061
– Price: $499,888
– 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom
– Square feet: 630
– See 1458 Hudson St, Redwood City, CA 94061 on Redfin.com

2250 24Th St, San Francisco, CA 94107
– Price: $485,000
– 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom
– Square feet: 602
– See 2250 24Th St, San Francisco, CA 94107 on Redfin.com

1222 York St, San Francisco, CA 94110
– Price: $498,000
– 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom
– Square feet: 570
– See 1222 York St, San Francisco, CA 94110 on Redfin.com

1075 Market St, San Francisco, CA 94103
– Price: $499,000
– 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom
– Square feet: 564
– See 1075 Market St, San Francisco, CA 94103 on Redfin.com

408 Boardwalk Ave, San Bruno, CA 94066
– Price: $495,000
– 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom
– Square feet: 540
– See 408 Boardwalk Ave, San Bruno, CA 94066 on Redfin.com

360 Guerrero St, San Francisco, CA 94103
– Price: $499,000
– 0 bedrooms, 1 bathroom
– Square feet: 602
– See 360 Guerrero St, San Francisco, CA 94103 on Redfin.com

95 Red Rock Way, San Francisco, CA 94131
– Price: $475,000
– 0 bedrooms, 1 bathroom
– Square feet: 592
– See 95 Red Rock Way, San Francisco, CA 94131 on Redfin.com

1 Daniel Burnham Ct, San Francisco, CA 94109
– Price: $500,000
– 0 bedrooms, 1 bathroom
– Square feet: 586
– See 1 Daniel Burnham Ct, San Francisco, CA 94109 on Redfin.com

960 Market St, San Francisco, CA 94102
– Price: $499,000
– 0 bedrooms, 1 bathroom
– Square feet: 567
– See 960 Market St, San Francisco, CA 94102 on Redfin.com

901 Tennessee St, San Francisco, CA 94107
– Price: $499,000
– 0 bedrooms, 1 bathroom
– Square feet: 397
– See 901 Tennessee St, San Francisco, CA 94107 on Redfin.com

This story was
produced by
Redfin Real Estate and reviewed and
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