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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 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 , affordability keeps dropping, and are becoming harder to find as home values . This has created a very sluggish and difficult housing market. In fact, even the usual busy spring and summer buying seasons were this year.

While $500,000 once stretched much further, in many cities today, it's not nearly enough. But what about Merced?

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

192 Montage Dr, Merced, CA 95348
- Price: $499,000
- 5 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,890
- See 192 Montage Dr, Merced, CA 95348 on

236 Montage Dr, Merced, CA 95348
- Price: $499,000
- 5 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,890
- See 236 Montage Dr, Merced, CA 95348 on

1013 Chenin Blanc St, Los Banos, CA 93635
- Price: $490,000
- 5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,981
- See 1013 Chenin Blanc St, Los Banos, CA 93635 on

748 Heron Dr, Los Banos, CA 93635
- Price: $499,000
- 5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,679
- See 748 Heron Dr, Los Banos, CA 93635 on

106 E Main St, Merced, CA 95340
- Price: $495,000
- 5 bedrooms, 1 bathroom
- Square feet: 1,040
- See 106 E Main St, Merced, CA 95340 on

1939 Faxon Dr, Atwater, CA 95301
- Price: $485,000
- 4 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,245
- See 1939 Faxon Dr, Atwater, CA 95301 on

1568 Via Del Pettoruto, Gustine, CA 95322
- Price: $499,000
- 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,348
- See 1568 Via Del Pettoruto, Gustine, CA 95322 on

1588 Pinecrest Dr, Livingston, CA 95334
- Price: $499,999
- 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,247
- See 1588 Pinecrest Dr, Livingston, CA 95334 on

2364 River Rock Dr, Merced, CA 95340
- Price: $499,000
- 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,068
- See 2364 River Rock Dr, Merced, CA 95340 on

2054 Casey Ln, Los Banos, CA 93635
- Price: $495,904
- 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,969
- See 2054 Casey Ln, Los Banos, CA 93635 on

432 Barrett Ln, Los Banos, CA 93635
- Price: $492,758
- 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,969
- See 432 Barrett Ln, Los Banos, CA 93635 on

189 Squaw Valley Dr, Merced, CA 95341
- Price: $488,294
- 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,969
- See 189 Squaw Valley Dr, Merced, CA 95341 on

2049 Spy Glass Ct, Merced, CA 95340
- Price: $494,000
- 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,917
- See 2049 Spy Glass Ct, Merced, CA 95340 on

448 Barrett Ln, Los Banos, CA 93635
- Price: $493,481
- 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,810
- See 448 Barrett Ln, Los Banos, CA 93635 on

4116 Clary Ct, Merced, CA 95348
- Price: $489,990
- 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,924
- See 4116 Clary Ct, Merced, CA 95348 on

2373 Olive St, Dos Palos, CA 93620
- Price: $499,000
- 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 3,007
- See 2373 Olive St, Dos Palos, CA 93620 on

901 Misty Harbor Dr, Livingston, CA 95334
- Price: $489,999
- 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,182
- See 901 Misty Harbor Dr, Livingston, CA 95334 on

1620 Fairway Dr, Atwater, CA 95301
- Price: $495,000
- 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,997
- See 1620 Fairway Dr, Atwater, CA 95301 on

642 Adams Ave, Los Banos, CA 93635
- Price: $489,000
- 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,881
- See 642 Adams Ave, Los Banos, CA 93635 on

2967 Capella Dr, Merced, CA 95341
- Price: $489,000
- 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,827
- See 2967 Capella Dr, Merced, CA 95341 on

29170 Luis Ave, Gustine, CA 95322
- Price: $488,000
- 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,763
- See 29170 Luis Ave, Gustine, CA 95322 on

1502 Paradise Ln, Los Banos, CA 93635
- Price: $489,000
- 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,398
- See 1502 Paradise Ln, Los Banos, CA 93635 on

2550 4Th Ave, Merced, CA 95340
- Price: $485,000
- 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,871
- See 2550 4Th Ave, Merced, CA 95340 on

4122 Clary Ct, Merced, CA 95348
- Price: $481,990
- 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,777
- See 4122 Clary Ct, Merced, CA 95348 on

4153 Clary Ct, Merced, CA 95348
- Price: $481,990
- 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,777
- See 4153 Clary Ct, Merced, CA 95348 on

1831 Del Mar Ct, Los Banos, CA 93635
- Price: $491,490
- 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,583
- See 1831 Del Mar Ct, Los Banos, CA 93635 on

690 Eureka Ct, Gustine, CA 95322
- Price: $485,000
- 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,058
- See 690 Eureka Ct, Gustine, CA 95322 on

790 Arbor Pointe Ave, Gustine, CA 95322
- Price: $485,000
- 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,760
- See 790 Arbor Pointe Ave, Gustine, CA 95322 on

1860 Vassar Ct, Los Banos, CA 93635
- Price: $485,000
- 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,725
- See 1860 Vassar Ct, Los Banos, CA 93635 on

1833 Coronado Dr, Los Banos, CA
- Price: $483,490
- 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,576
- See 1833 Coronado Dr, Los Banos, CA on