How much house does $500,000 buy you in Hilton Head Island?

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 Hilton Head Island?

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

63 Sago Palm Dr, Bluffton, SC 29910
- Price: $499,900
- 5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 3,440
- See 63 Sago Palm Dr, Bluffton, SC 29910 on Redfin.com

36 Isle Of Palms E, Bluffton, SC 29910
- Price: $499,900
- 5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,880
- See 36 Isle Of Palms E, Bluffton, SC 29910 on Redfin.com

1109 Salty Hammock Ct, Beaufort, SC 29902
- Price: $499,440
- 5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,733
- See 1109 Salty Hammock Ct, Beaufort, SC 29902 on Redfin.com

9767 Tarboro Rd, Ridgeland, SC 29936
- Price: $500,000
- 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,967
- See 9767 Tarboro Rd, Ridgeland, SC 29936 on Redfin.com

56 Alston Park Dr, Bluffton, SC 29910
- Price: $499,900
- 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,664
- See 56 Alston Park Dr, Bluffton, SC 29910 on Redfin.com

1204 Kipling Dr, Beaufort, SC 29902
- Price: $499,890
- 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,383
- See 1204 Kipling Dr, Beaufort, SC 29902 on Redfin.com

39 Holbrook Dr, Beaufort, SC 29902
- Price: $499,500
- 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,060
- See 39 Holbrook Dr, Beaufort, SC 29902 on Redfin.com

406 Rye Creek Cir, Okatie, SC 29909
- Price: $499,900
- 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,909
- See 406 Rye Creek Cir, Okatie, SC 29909 on Redfin.com

189 Deloss Point Rd, Ridgeland, SC 29936
- Price: $499,999
- 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,077
- See 189 Deloss Point Rd, Ridgeland, SC 29936 on Redfin.com

232 White Oaks Cir, Bluffton, SC 29910
- Price: $499,500
- 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,763
- See 232 White Oaks Cir, Bluffton, SC 29910 on Redfin.com

161 Locust Fence Rd, Saint Helena Island, SC 29920
- Price: $499,900
- 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,150
- See 161 Locust Fence Rd, Saint Helena Island, SC 29920 on Redfin.com

19 Brisbane Dr, Beaufort, SC 29902
- Price: $499,900
- 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,640
- See 19 Brisbane Dr, Beaufort, SC 29902 on Redfin.com

1203 Washington St, Beaufort, SC 29902
- Price: $499,500
- 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,536
- See 1203 Washington St, Beaufort, SC 29902 on Redfin.com

582 Blue Jay Ln, Okatie, SC 29909
- Price: $499,900
- 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,581
- See 582 Blue Jay Ln, Okatie, SC 29909 on Redfin.com

2017 Lafayette St, Beaufort, SC 29902
- Price: $499,900
- 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,366
- See 2017 Lafayette St, Beaufort, SC 29902 on Redfin.com

19 Lemoyne Ave, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928
- Price: $499,500
- 2 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,051
- See 19 Lemoyne Ave, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928 on Redfin.com

7 Ceres Ct, Okatie, SC 29909
- Price: $500,000
- 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,094
- See 7 Ceres Ct, Okatie, SC 29909 on Redfin.com

14 Cheswell Ct, Bluffton, SC 29909
- Price: $499,750
- 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,995
- See 14 Cheswell Ct, Bluffton, SC 29909 on Redfin.com

190 Raines Way, Okatie, SC 29909
- Price: $499,000
- 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,961
- See 190 Raines Way, Okatie, SC 29909 on Redfin.com

1322 Sunfish Way, Bluffton, SC 29909
- Price: $499,900
- 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,581
- See 1322 Sunfish Way, Bluffton, SC 29909 on Redfin.com

929 Destiny Dr, Bluffton, SC 29909
- Price: $500,000
- 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,550
- See 929 Destiny Dr, Bluffton, SC 29909 on Redfin.com

20 Queens Folly Rd, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928
- Price: $500,000
- 1 bedroom, 1.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 902
- See 20 Queens Folly Rd, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928 on Redfin.com

1114 12Th St, Port Royal, SC 29935
- Price: $499,900
- 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom
- Square feet: 648
- See 1114 12Th St, Port Royal, SC 29935 on Redfin.com

43 S Forest Beach Dr, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928
- Price: $499,000
- 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom
- Square feet: 538
- See 43 S Forest Beach Dr, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928 on Redfin.com

4 N Forest Beach Dr, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928
- Price: $500,000
- 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom
- Square feet: 518
- See 4 N Forest Beach Dr, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928 on Redfin.com

4 N Forest Beach Dr, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928
- Price: $499,900
- 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom
- Square feet: 518
- See 4 N Forest Beach Dr, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928 on Redfin.com

4 N Forest Beach Dr, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928
- Price: $499,900
- 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom
- Square feet: 518
- See 4 N Forest Beach Dr, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928 on Redfin.com

4 N Forest Beach Dr, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928
- Price: $499,900
- 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom
- Square feet: 518
- See 4 N Forest Beach Dr, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928 on Redfin.com

4 N Forest Beach Dr, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928
- Price: $499,900
- 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom
- Square feet: 518
- See 4 N Forest Beach Dr, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928 on Redfin.com

205 Coosaw Way, Ridgeland, SC 29936
- Price: $500,000
- 0 bedrooms, 1 bathroom
- Square feet: 2,388
- See 205 Coosaw Way, Ridgeland, SC 29936 on Redfin.com