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

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 Ames?

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

2003 Polk Dr, Ames, IA 50010
- Price: $420,000
- 6 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,046
- See 2003 Polk Dr, Ames, IA 50010 on Redfin.com

1301 Florida Ave, Ames, IA 50014
- Price: $450,000
- 5 bedrooms, 3.8 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,363
- See 1301 Florida Ave, Ames, IA 50014 on Redfin.com

3508 Valley View Rd, Ames, IA 50014
- Price: $420,000
- 5 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 840
- See 3508 Valley View Rd, Ames, IA 50014 on Redfin.com

812 Cherokee St, Nevada, IA 50201
- Price: $449,900
- 5 bedrooms, 3.3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,318
- See 812 Cherokee St, Nevada, IA 50201 on Redfin.com

420 Wicker Dr, Huxley, IA 50124
- Price: $493,900
- 5 bedrooms, 3.3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,648
- See 420 Wicker Dr, Huxley, IA 50124 on Redfin.com

3225 Evergreen Rd, Ames, IA 50014
- Price: $449,900
- 4 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms
- Square feet: 648
- See 3225 Evergreen Rd, Ames, IA 50014 on Redfin.com

2917 Bayberry Rd, Ames, IA 50014
- Price: $479,000
- 4 bedrooms, 3.3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,174
- See 2917 Bayberry Rd, Ames, IA 50014 on Redfin.com

328 S Logan St, Roland, IA 50236
- Price: $494,900
- 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,780
- See 328 S Logan St, Roland, IA 50236 on Redfin.com

2819 Bristol Dr, Ames, IA 50010
- Price: $422,500
- 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,276
- See 2819 Bristol Dr, Ames, IA 50010 on Redfin.com

2308 Suncrest Dr, Ames, IA 50014
- Price: $474,000
- 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,629
- See 2308 Suncrest Dr, Ames, IA 50014 on Redfin.com

5513 Greene St, Ames, IA 50014
- Price: $474,600
- 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,545
- See 5513 Greene St, Ames, IA 50014 on Redfin.com

4518 Hemingway Dr, Ames, IA 50014
- Price: $483,000
- 4 bedrooms, 2.8 bathrooms
- Square feet: 3,375
- See 4518 Hemingway Dr, Ames, IA 50014 on Redfin.com

3016 Cottontail Ln, Ames, IA 50014
- Price: $440,000
- 4 bedrooms, 2.8 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,421
- See 3016 Cottontail Ln, Ames, IA 50014 on Redfin.com

1522 Se Linn St, Boone, IA 50036
- Price: $445,000
- 4 bedrooms, 2.8 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,176
- See 1522 Se Linn St, Boone, IA 50036 on Redfin.com

214 Cedar Dr, Gilbert, IA 50105
- Price: $444,900
- 4 bedrooms, 2.8 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,492
- See 214 Cedar Dr, Gilbert, IA 50105 on Redfin.com

5434 Greene St, Ames, IA 50014
- Price: $452,900
- 4 bedrooms, 2.8 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,492
- See 5434 Greene St, Ames, IA 50014 on Redfin.com

5825 Westfield Dr, Ames, IA 50014
- Price: $452,000
- 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,260
- See 5825 Westfield Dr, Ames, IA 50014 on Redfin.com

2002 Stevenson Dr, Ames, IA 50010
- Price: $450,000
- 4 bedrooms, 2.3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,798
- See 2002 Stevenson Dr, Ames, IA 50010 on Redfin.com

5312 Greene St, Ames, IA 50014
- Price: $469,900
- 4 bedrooms, 2.3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,214
- See 5312 Greene St, Ames, IA 50014 on Redfin.com

731 Q Ave, Boone, IA 50036
- Price: $449,900
- 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,796
- See 731 Q Ave, Boone, IA 50036 on Redfin.com

2005 North Dakota Ave, Ames, IA 50014
- Price: $464,464
- 4 bedrooms, 1.8 bathrooms
- Square feet: 3,010
- See 2005 North Dakota Ave, Ames, IA 50014 on Redfin.com

306 N 1St Ave, Huxley, IA 50124
- Price: $459,900
- 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,143
- See 306 N 1St Ave, Huxley, IA 50124 on Redfin.com

802 Academy Cir, Nevada, IA 50201
- Price: $431,050
- 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,200
- See 802 Academy Cir, Nevada, IA 50201 on Redfin.com

102 Mcpherson St, Boone, IA 50036
- Price: $454,900
- 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,146
- See 102 Mcpherson St, Boone, IA 50036 on Redfin.com

5507 Greene St, Ames, IA 50014
- Price: $499,250
- 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,424
- See 5507 Greene St, Ames, IA 50014 on Redfin.com

3919 Burr Oak Ln, Ames, IA 50014
- Price: $442,000
- 3 bedrooms, 2.3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,212
- See 3919 Burr Oak Ln, Ames, IA 50014 on Redfin.com

5511 Greene St, Ames, IA 50014
- Price: $439,750
- 3 bedrooms, 2.3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,700
- See 5511 Greene St, Ames, IA 50014 on Redfin.com

1003 Redbud Dr, Slater, IA 50244
- Price: $449,900
- 3 bedrooms, 2.3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,618
- See 1003 Redbud Dr, Slater, IA 50244 on Redfin.com

5453 Rowling Dr, Ames, IA 50014
- Price: $445,000
- 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,477
- See 5453 Rowling Dr, Ames, IA 50014 on Redfin.com

2220 Suncrest Dr, Ames, IA 50014
- Price: $485,000
- 2 bedrooms, 1.8 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,776
- See 2220 Suncrest Dr, Ames, IA 50014 on Redfin.com