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

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 Duluth?

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

1101 N 7Th Ave E, Duluth, MN 55805
- Price: $499,000
- 8 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 3,519
- See 1101 N 7Th Ave E, Duluth, MN 55805 on Redfin.com

1112 87Th Ave W, Duluth, MN 55808
- Price: $479,900
- 6 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms
- Square feet: 8,336
- See 1112 87Th Ave W, Duluth, MN 55808 on Redfin.com

1616 E 1St St, Duluth, MN 55812
- Price: $479,900
- 5 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 3,103
- See 1616 E 1St St, Duluth, MN 55812 on Redfin.com

29 Hillside Rd, Esko, MN 55733
- Price: $479,900
- 4 bedrooms, 2.8 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,464
- See 29 Hillside Rd, Esko, MN 55733 on Redfin.com

1802 E 8Th St, Superior, WI 54880
- Price: $500,000
- 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,206
- See 1802 E 8Th St, Superior, WI 54880 on Redfin.com

280 County Road 3, Carlton, MN 55718
- Price: $494,900
- 4 bedrooms, 2.3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,650
- See 280 County Road 3, Carlton, MN 55718 on Redfin.com

12970 White Eagle Ln, Kabetogama, MN 56669
- Price: $495,000
- 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 3,156
- See 12970 White Eagle Ln, Kabetogama, MN 56669 on Redfin.com

15075 S Lost Lake Rd, Gordon, WI 54838
- Price: $499,900
- 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,732
- See 15075 S Lost Lake Rd, Gordon, WI 54838 on Redfin.com

1020 Redbud St, Duluth, MN 55811
- Price: $489,900
- 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,417
- See 1020 Redbud St, Duluth, MN 55811 on Redfin.com

113 Larson Rd, Esko, MN 55733
- Price: $499,900
- 4 bedrooms, 1.8 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,868
- See 113 Larson Rd, Esko, MN 55733 on Redfin.com

5191 Morris Thomas Rd, Hermantown, MN 55810
- Price: $495,000
- 4 bedrooms, 1.8 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,347
- See 5191 Morris Thomas Rd, Hermantown, MN 55810 on Redfin.com

5047 Anderson Rd, Hermantown, MN 55811
- Price: $475,000
- 4 bedrooms, 1.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,345
- See 5047 Anderson Rd, Hermantown, MN 55811 on Redfin.com

1964 Highway 5, Hibbing, MN 55746
- Price: $498,000
- 3 bedrooms, 2.7 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,884
- See 1964 Highway 5, Hibbing, MN 55746 on Redfin.com

7671 Woodlawn Dr, Eveleth, MN 55734
- Price: $499,900
- 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,953
- See 7671 Woodlawn Dr, Eveleth, MN 55734 on Redfin.com

3537 Martin Rd, Duluth, MN 55803
- Price: $499,000
- 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,248
- See 3537 Martin Rd, Duluth, MN 55803 on Redfin.com

2406 Wyoming Ave, Superior, WI 54880
- Price: $475,000
- 3 bedrooms, 2.3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,593
- See 2406 Wyoming Ave, Superior, WI 54880 on Redfin.com

2606 Bear Island Resort Rd, Babbitt, MN 55706
- Price: $485,000
- 3 bedrooms, 2.3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,160
- See 2606 Bear Island Resort Rd, Babbitt, MN 55706 on Redfin.com

2108 Cottage Hill Cir, Duluth, MN 55811
- Price: $499,900
- 3 bedrooms, 2.3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,820
- See 2108 Cottage Hill Cir, Duluth, MN 55811 on Redfin.com

511 Dakota Ave W, Gilbert, MN 55741
- Price: $474,500
- 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 3,164
- See 511 Dakota Ave W, Gilbert, MN 55741 on Redfin.com

7528 Seibert Rd, Embarrass, MN 55732
- Price: $495,000
- 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,300
- See 7528 Seibert Rd, Embarrass, MN 55732 on Redfin.com

5921 Lakewood Rd, Duluth, MN 55804
- Price: $499,000
- 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,503
- See 5921 Lakewood Rd, Duluth, MN 55804 on Redfin.com

5441 Vermilion Trl, Gilbert, MN 55741
- Price: $488,500
- 3 bedrooms, 1.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,520
- See 5441 Vermilion Trl, Gilbert, MN 55741 on Redfin.com

6618 Sumac Dr, Duluth, MN 55803
- Price: $480,000
- 2 bedrooms, 1.8 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,632
- See 6618 Sumac Dr, Duluth, MN 55803 on Redfin.com

3779 Sundling Rd, Tower, MN 55790
- Price: $499,000
- 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom
- Square feet: 1,032
- See 3779 Sundling Rd, Tower, MN 55790 on Redfin.com

Lot 128 Marjo Dr, Tower, MN 55790
- Price: $499,000
- 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom
- Square feet: 1,002
- See Lot 128 Marjo Dr, Tower, MN 55790 on Redfin.com

4089 First Lake Rd, Ely, MN 55731
- Price: $475,000
- 1 bedroom, 1.8 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,080
- See 4089 First Lake Rd, Ely, MN 55731 on Redfin.com

311 E Superior St, Duluth, MN 55802
- Price: $484,900
- 1 bedroom, 1.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,120
- See 311 E Superior St, Duluth, MN 55802 on Redfin.com

2137 Deer Ridge Rd, Ely, MN 55731
- Price: $479,500
- 1 bedroom, 0.8 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,440
- See 2137 Deer Ridge Rd, Ely, MN 55731 on Redfin.com