How Much House $500K Buys in Major Cities Across the U.S. (and What This Means for Investors)

For many buyers and investors, $500,000 is a benchmark budget. But in today’s housing market, that number doesn’t stretch the same way everywhere – and the trade-offs reveal a lot about both affordability for buyers and opportunity for investors. In cities like San Francisco or Los Angeles, half a million dollars may only stretch to a condo or small starter home, while in markets like Boston or Seattle, buyers get noticeably more space for the same budget. 

These differences aren’t just important for homebuyers, they also shape how investors think about where to put their money. By comparing how much house $500K buys in major U.S. cities, we can uncover not only affordability trends but also where opportunities may lie for long-term real estate growth.

What determines how far $500K goes?

A half-million dollars may sound like a big budget, but location ultimately determines buying power. In some metros, $500K secures a family home with room to grow; in others, it barely covers a starter unit.

For homebuyers, these factors determine what kind of space you can afford. For investors, they highlight differences in affordability and entry costs across markets.

Key factors that influence how far $500K goes include:

• Cost of living and demand: In high-cost metros like San Francisco or New York, limited land and intense demand mean higher prices and less space for the same budget.
• Price per square foot: Cities with lower housing costs translate into larger homes for $500K. By contrast, expensive coastal markets eat away at square footage quickly.
• Inventory levels: When the number of homes for sale is low, competition drives prices higher and narrows buyer options. Expanding inventory, on the other hand, can stretch your dollars further.
• Local economy and jobs: A strong job market pulls in new residents, which raises housing demand and pushes up prices, reducing affordability.
• Neighborhood factors: School quality, public transit, and access to amenities can significantly impact what $500K buys, even within the same metro.

With those dynamics in mind, here’s how much square footage $500K buys in major U.S. metros today.

How much house $500K buys in major U.S. cities

Using July 2025 housing data from the Redfin Data Center, here’s how much square footage $500,000 buys across five major metros:

In San Francisco, half a million dollars only covers about 500 square feet, roughly the size of a studio apartment. In Boston, the same budget buys more than 1,100 square feet, enough for a single-family home or spacious condo. Cities like Los Angeles and New York fall somewhere in between, with $500K stretching to just over 800–1,000 square feet.

What this means for investors

To understand what these differences mean for investors, we spoke with Dave Meyer, Head of Content Strategy at BiggerPockets, a leading online community and resource hub for real estate investors.

“As more markets shift to a buyer’s market with flat or declining prices, investors are presented with both opportunity and risk.

Investors should keep an eye out for opportunities to acquire strong assets in fundamentally strong markets, as modest price and mortgage rate declines are increasing affordability. Of particular interest are strong markets with great long-term growth potential, like Seattle, Dallas, and San Diego, for example, but are seeing softening prices and better buying conditions.

Of course, as prices moderate or fall in many markets, investors need to protect themselves and should be wary of “catching a falling knife,” acquiring an asset that is likely to lose further value. The best way to protect against this is to aim to buy below list price and below current comps. While investors always want to buy for value, a sale-to-list ratio of 99% nationwide indicates that after many years of fierce competition, buyers have returned to the driver’s seat when negotiating on price.”

Key takeaways for homebuyers 

For buyers, the biggest lesson is that $500,000 doesn’t mean the same thing everywhere. In some metros, it’s enough to secure a spacious single-family home, while in others, it barely covers a starter condo. That’s why looking beyond just the price tag is so important.

A few takeaways for homebuyers include:

• Size vs. location trade-offs: A bigger home in a lower-cost city may sound appealing, but if your job, family, or lifestyle ties you to a pricier metro, you may need to compromise on square footage.
• Affordability goes beyond the sale price: Property taxes, insurance, and HOA fees can vary widely from city to city and can significantly affect your budget.
• Long-term value matters: Even if $500K buys less space in high-cost markets, those homes may appreciate faster, adding long-term value to your purchase.
• Consider emerging markets: Cities with growing inventories and moderate prices could offer both affordability today and solid appreciation in the future.

FAQs: How much house does $500K buy?

Why does buying power vary so much between cities?

Local housing demand, price per square foot, inventory levels, and cost of living all play a role. A strong job market or limited supply often pushes prices higher and reduces what $500K can buy.

Is $500K a good budget for real estate investors?

Yes, but it depends on your strategy. In some cities, $500K could fund a rental condo in a high-demand market, while in others it could purchase a larger property with strong long-term appreciation potential.

What should buyers and investors consider before spending $500K?

Beyond square footage, look at property taxes, ongoing costs, and long-term appreciation trends. Location determines not only what you can buy today, but how much your investment may grow in the future.

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