I have $500k wrapped up in my house. Thinking of selling and exploring more lucrative ways to invest….

Hi all. Long time lurker. First time poster. Me and my husband have always been freelance. Lately it has turned into a freelancers worst nightmare. Where we haven’t really been making money for months and can’t pay our bills. We have 2 young kids. And are sort of trying to rethink our lives. We are both looking into schooling/certificates to get in other areas. We are looking into moving to a cheaper area. In the meantime, we own a house in Los Angeles and have around $500000 wrapped up in the house. We are thinking of renting our house, but then are considering if there is a benefit to selling and reinvesting the 500000k elsewhere that could make up more livable income/money. I am clueless when it comes to investing so I thought I would ask here. Are there good ways to invest $500k that can make solid income and are better then owning a home? Thank you for any advice.