How much house does $500,000 buy you in Columbus, Indiana?

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 Columbus, Indiana?

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

3901 Terrace Woods Dr, Columbus, IN 47201
- Price: $432,000
- 5 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 3,888
- See 3901 Terrace Woods Dr, Columbus, IN 47201 on Redfin.com

1411 Parkside Dr, Columbus, IN 47203
- Price: $450,000
- 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 4,143
- See 1411 Parkside Dr, Columbus, IN 47203 on Redfin.com

1127 Junco Dr, Columbus, IN 47203
- Price: $469,900
- 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 3,774
- See 1127 Junco Dr, Columbus, IN 47203 on Redfin.com

2847 Macintosh, Columbus, IN 47201
- Price: $425,000
- 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 3,661
- See 2847 Macintosh, Columbus, IN 47201 on Redfin.com

7042 Pinnacle Dr, Columbus, IN 47201
- Price: $495,000
- 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 3,536
- See 7042 Pinnacle Dr, Columbus, IN 47201 on Redfin.com

2094 Buckthorn Dr, Columbus, IN 47201
- Price: $385,000
- 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 3,003
- See 2094 Buckthorn Dr, Columbus, IN 47201 on Redfin.com

1893 Glenmoor Ct, Columbus, IN 47201
- Price: $365,000
- 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,864
- See 1893 Glenmoor Ct, Columbus, IN 47201 on Redfin.com

3923 Windstar Way, Columbus, IN 47203
- Price: $360,000
- 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,552
- See 3923 Windstar Way, Columbus, IN 47203 on Redfin.com

3551 Windstar Ct, Columbus, IN 47203
- Price: $350,000
- 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,552
- See 3551 Windstar Ct, Columbus, IN 47203 on Redfin.com

5631 Black Oak Dr, Columbus, IN 47201
- Price: $399,900
- 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,095
- See 5631 Black Oak Dr, Columbus, IN 47201 on Redfin.com

1966 Broadmoor Ln, Columbus, IN 47203
- Price: $350,000
- 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,925
- See 1966 Broadmoor Ln, Columbus, IN 47203 on Redfin.com

613 5Th St, Columbus, IN 47201
- Price: $475,000
- 4 bedrooms, 1.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 4,510
- See 613 5Th St, Columbus, IN 47201 on Redfin.com

1504 Mcclure Rd, Columbus, IN 47201
- Price: $340,000
- 4 bedrooms, 1.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 3,284
- See 1504 Mcclure Rd, Columbus, IN 47201 on Redfin.com

1950 Franklin St, Columbus, IN 47201
- Price: $375,000
- 3 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 3,710
- See 1950 Franklin St, Columbus, IN 47201 on Redfin.com

13151 W Youth Camp Rd, Columbus, IN 47201
- Price: $339,900
- 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 4,763
- See 13151 W Youth Camp Rd, Columbus, IN 47201 on Redfin.com

1712 Franklin St, Columbus, IN 47201
- Price: $445,000
- 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 3,201
- See 1712 Franklin St, Columbus, IN 47201 on Redfin.com

3244 Skyview Ct, Columbus, IN 47203
- Price: $349,900
- 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 3,025
- See 3244 Skyview Ct, Columbus, IN 47203 on Redfin.com

2675 Franklin St, Columbus, IN 47201
- Price: $390,000
- 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,624
- See 2675 Franklin St, Columbus, IN 47201 on Redfin.com

16130 E Lake Shore Dr N, Hope, IN 47246
- Price: $379,900
- 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,171
- See 16130 E Lake Shore Dr N, Hope, IN 47246 on Redfin.com

2879 Prairie Stream Way, Columbus, IN 47203
- Price: $359,900
- 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,140
- See 2879 Prairie Stream Way, Columbus, IN 47203 on Redfin.com

9635 W 450 S, Columbus, IN 47201
- Price: $499,000
- 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,680
- See 9635 W 450 S, Columbus, IN 47201 on Redfin.com

6110 Pelican Ln, Columbus, IN 47201
- Price: $444,900
- 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 4,500
- See 6110 Pelican Ln, Columbus, IN 47201 on Redfin.com

3236 Spruce St, Columbus, IN 47203
- Price: $395,000
- 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 3,552
- See 3236 Spruce St, Columbus, IN 47203 on Redfin.com

4008 Washington St, Columbus, IN 47203
- Price: $365,000
- 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,946
- See 4008 Washington St, Columbus, IN 47203 on Redfin.com

930 River Rd, Columbus, IN 47203
- Price: $469,900
- 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,631
- See 930 River Rd, Columbus, IN 47203 on Redfin.com

2403 Fairfax Dr, Columbus, IN 47203
- Price: $345,000
- 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,959
- See 2403 Fairfax Dr, Columbus, IN 47203 on Redfin.com

3422 Sycamore Dr, Columbus, IN 47203
- Price: $374,900
- 3 bedrooms, 1.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,546
- See 3422 Sycamore Dr, Columbus, IN 47203 on Redfin.com

708 E 400 S, Columbus, IN 47201
- Price: $379,000
- 3 bedrooms, 1 bathroom
- Square feet: 2,864
- See 708 E 400 S, Columbus, IN 47201 on Redfin.com

822 7Th St, Columbus, IN 47201
- Price: $469,500
- 2 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,701
- See 822 7Th St, Columbus, IN 47201 on Redfin.com

810 7Th St, Columbus, IN 47201
- Price: $379,500
- 2 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,376
- See 810 7Th St, Columbus, IN 47201 on Redfin.com