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

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 Ottumwa?

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

1212 Hutchinson Ave, Ottumwa, IA 52501
- Price: $295,000
- 5 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,120
- See 1212 Hutchinson Ave, Ottumwa, IA 52501 on Redfin.com

105 N Main St, Blakesburg, IA 52536
- Price: $295,000
- 5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 3,034
- See 105 N Main St, Blakesburg, IA 52536 on Redfin.com

71 Schwartz Dr, Ottumwa, IA 52501
- Price: $275,000
- 5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,532
- See 71 Schwartz Dr, Ottumwa, IA 52501 on Redfin.com

31 Weaver Dr, Ottumwa, IA 52501
- Price: $340,000
- 5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,822
- See 31 Weaver Dr, Ottumwa, IA 52501 on Redfin.com

2604 Meadowdale St, Ottumwa, IA 52501
- Price: $279,900
- 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,392
- See 2604 Meadowdale St, Ottumwa, IA 52501 on Redfin.com

1508 Hamilton St, Ottumwa, IA 52501
- Price: $225,000
- 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,284
- See 1508 Hamilton St, Ottumwa, IA 52501 on Redfin.com

821 E Highland Ave, Ottumwa, IA 52501
- Price: $274,000
- 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,735
- See 821 E Highland Ave, Ottumwa, IA 52501 on Redfin.com

627 Edwards Dr, Ottumwa, IA 52501
- Price: $249,000
- 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,376
- See 627 Edwards Dr, Ottumwa, IA 52501 on Redfin.com

2 Birchwood Heights Dr, Ottumwa, IA 52501
- Price: $389,500
- 4 bedrooms, 2.3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 6,448
- See 2 Birchwood Heights Dr, Ottumwa, IA 52501 on Redfin.com

74 Schwartz Dr, Ottumwa, IA 52501
- Price: $275,000
- 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,688
- See 74 Schwartz Dr, Ottumwa, IA 52501 on Redfin.com

110 N College St, Agency, IA 52530
- Price: $239,900
- 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,700
- See 110 N College St, Agency, IA 52530 on Redfin.com

1119 N Court St, Ottumwa, IA 52501
- Price: $219,000
- 4 bedrooms, 1.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,350
- See 1119 N Court St, Ottumwa, IA 52501 on Redfin.com

134 E Main St, Agency, IA 52530
- Price: $219,000
- 4 bedrooms, 1.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,272
- See 134 E Main St, Agency, IA 52530 on Redfin.com

1621 N Elm St, Ottumwa, IA 52501
- Price: $369,900
- 3 bedrooms, 3.3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,386
- See 1621 N Elm St, Ottumwa, IA 52501 on Redfin.com

5 Birchwood Heights Dr, Ottumwa, IA 52501
- Price: $375,000
- 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 4,938
- See 5 Birchwood Heights Dr, Ottumwa, IA 52501 on Redfin.com

522 S Davis St, Ottumwa, IA 52501
- Price: $289,000
- 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,032
- See 522 S Davis St, Ottumwa, IA 52501 on Redfin.com

1018 W Mary St, Ottumwa, IA 52501
- Price: $239,900
- 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,044
- See 1018 W Mary St, Ottumwa, IA 52501 on Redfin.com

101 W Alta Vista Ave, Ottumwa, IA 52501
- Price: $227,700
- 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,871
- See 101 W Alta Vista Ave, Ottumwa, IA 52501 on Redfin.com

710 High St, Eldon, IA 52554
- Price: $289,000
- 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,365
- See 710 High St, Eldon, IA 52554 on Redfin.com

506 Bryan Rd, Ottumwa, IA 52501
- Price: $289,000
- 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,058
- See 506 Bryan Rd, Ottumwa, IA 52501 on Redfin.com

1975 Greenwood Dr, Ottumwa, IA 52501
- Price: $210,000
- 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,632
- See 1975 Greenwood Dr, Ottumwa, IA 52501 on Redfin.com

551 N Hazel St, Agency, IA 52530
- Price: $219,999
- 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,701
- See 551 N Hazel St, Agency, IA 52530 on Redfin.com

1019 E Court St, Ottumwa, IA 52501
- Price: $365,000
- 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,590
- See 1019 E Court St, Ottumwa, IA 52501 on Redfin.com

7606 Cliffland Rd, Ottumwa, IA 52501
- Price: $220,000
- 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,557
- See 7606 Cliffland Rd, Ottumwa, IA 52501 on Redfin.com

11051 111Th St, Ottumwa, IA 52501
- Price: $365,000
- 3 bedrooms, 1.8 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,458
- See 11051 111Th St, Ottumwa, IA 52501 on Redfin.com

622 E Alta Vista Ave, Ottumwa, IA 52501
- Price: $239,000
- 3 bedrooms, 1.8 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,284
- See 622 E Alta Vista Ave, Ottumwa, IA 52501 on Redfin.com

11994 118Th Ave, Ottumwa, IA 52501
- Price: $289,000
- 3 bedrooms, 1.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,254
- See 11994 118Th Ave, Ottumwa, IA 52501 on Redfin.com

1404 N Van Buren Ave, Ottumwa, IA 52501
- Price: $236,000
- 3 bedrooms, 1.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,264
- See 1404 N Van Buren Ave, Ottumwa, IA 52501 on Redfin.com

2620 Marilyn Rd, Ottumwa, IA 52501
- Price: $225,000
- 2 bedrooms, 1.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,012
- See 2620 Marilyn Rd, Ottumwa, IA 52501 on Redfin.com

12541 160Th Ave, Ottumwa, IA 52501
- Price: $215,000
- 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom
- Square feet: 1,200
- See 12541 160Th Ave, Ottumwa, IA 52501 on Redfin.com