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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 Kankakee?

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

1293 Hartley Ave, Bourbonnais, IL 60914
- Price: $388,900
- 6 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,512
- See 1293 Hartley Ave, Bourbonnais, IL 60914 on

1425 Shorewood Dr, Saint Anne, IL 60964
- Price: $459,900
- 5 bedrooms, 4.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 3,660
- See 1425 Shorewood Dr, Saint Anne, IL 60964 on

1886 N Springview Dr, Kankakee, IL 60901
- Price: $419,000
- 5 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms
- Square feet: 4,300
- See 1886 N Springview Dr, Kankakee, IL 60901 on

5 Inverness Dr, Bourbonnais, IL 60914
- Price: $448,000
- 5 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 3,995
- See 5 Inverness Dr, Bourbonnais, IL 60914 on

1080 W Longfellow Dr, Manteno, IL 60950
- Price: $475,000
- 5 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,291
- See 1080 W Longfellow Dr, Manteno, IL 60950 on

206 Julie Dr, Kankakee, IL 60901
- Price: $414,000
- 5 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,900
- See 206 Julie Dr, Kankakee, IL 60901 on

27 Marquette Ln, Kankakee, IL 60901
- Price: $445,000
- 4 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms
- Square feet: 3,924
- See 27 Marquette Ln, Kankakee, IL 60901 on

510 Willow Rd, Manteno, IL 60950
- Price: $419,987
- 4 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 3,769
- See 510 Willow Rd, Manteno, IL 60950 on

1698 Bittersweet Dr, Saint Anne, IL 60964
- Price: $414,900
- 4 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,883
- See 1698 Bittersweet Dr, Saint Anne, IL 60964 on

1347 Rainbow Cir, Manteno, IL 60950
- Price: $420,000
- 4 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,773
- See 1347 Rainbow Cir, Manteno, IL 60950 on

1900 Claire Dr, Bourbonnais, IL 60914
- Price: $449,808
- 4 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,100
- See 1900 Claire Dr, Bourbonnais, IL 60914 on

631 Holtz St, Manteno, IL 60950
- Price: $389,900
- 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 3,177
- See 631 Holtz St, Manteno, IL 60950 on

23 Birchwood Ln, Saint Anne, IL 60964
- Price: $429,000
- 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,729
- See 23 Birchwood Ln, Saint Anne, IL 60964 on

830 Magnolia Dr, Bourbonnais, IL 60914
- Price: $380,000
- 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,014
- See 830 Magnolia Dr, Bourbonnais, IL 60914 on

2033 Willow Brook Dr, Bourbonnais, IL 60914
- Price: $380,000
- 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,845
- See 2033 Willow Brook Dr, Bourbonnais, IL 60914 on

830 W River St, Bourbonnais, IL 60914
- Price: $375,000
- 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,700
- See 830 W River St, Bourbonnais, IL 60914 on

2329 Monarch St, Bourbonnais, IL 60914
- Price: $404,900
- 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,263
- See 2329 Monarch St, Bourbonnais, IL 60914 on

1459 Patriot Way, Bourbonnais, IL 60914
- Price: $385,000
- 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,000
- See 1459 Patriot Way, Bourbonnais, IL 60914 on

3842 Stone Oaks Dr, Kankakee, IL 60901
- Price: $464,900
- 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,850
- See 3842 Stone Oaks Dr, Kankakee, IL 60901 on

834 White Tail Bnd, Manteno, IL 60950
- Price: $395,000
- 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,171
- See 834 White Tail Bnd, Manteno, IL 60950 on

624 Brian Dr, Manteno, IL 60950
- Price: $440,000
- 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,313
- See 624 Brian Dr, Manteno, IL 60950 on

1269 Tower Ct, Bourbonnais, IL 60914
- Price: $389,900
- 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,980
- See 1269 Tower Ct, Bourbonnais, IL 60914 on

10258 E River South Rd, Momence, IL 60954
- Price: $379,900
- 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,920
- See 10258 E River South Rd, Momence, IL 60954 on

2745 S Hieland Rd, Saint Anne, IL 60964
- Price: $450,000
- 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,151
- See 2745 S Hieland Rd, Saint Anne, IL 60964 on

489 Cardinal Dr, Manteno, IL 60950
- Price: $389,900
- 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,975
- See 489 Cardinal Dr, Manteno, IL 60950 on

1840 Yorktown Dr, Bourbonnais, IL 60914
- Price: $389,900
- 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,876
- See 1840 Yorktown Dr, Bourbonnais, IL 60914 on

985 Spring St, Manteno, IL 60950
- Price: $476,400
- 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,803
- See 985 Spring St, Manteno, IL 60950 on

1913 Claire Dr, Bourbonnais, IL 60914
- Price: $390,000
- 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,782
- See 1913 Claire Dr, Bourbonnais, IL 60914 on

2312 Monarch St, Bourbonnais, IL 60914
- Price: $384,900
- 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,532
- See 2312 Monarch St, Bourbonnais, IL 60914 on

6137 Stone Mill Dr, Bourbonnais, IL 60914
- Price: $384,900
- 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,532
- See 6137 Stone Mill Dr, Bourbonnais, IL 60914 on