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

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 Chattanooga?

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

8320 Shrewsbury Ln, Ooltewah, TN 37363
- Price: $499,900
- 5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,769
- See 8320 Shrewsbury Ln, Ooltewah, TN 37363 on Redfin.com

4735 Lake Hills Cir, Chattanooga, TN 37416
- Price: $499,900
- 4 bedrooms, 4.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 3,326
- See 4735 Lake Hills Cir, Chattanooga, TN 37416 on Redfin.com

8780 Millard Lee Ln, Chattanooga, TN 37416
- Price: $500,000
- 4 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,720
- See 8780 Millard Lee Ln, Chattanooga, TN 37416 on Redfin.com

3309 Grassy Fields Ln, Apison, TN 37302
- Price: $499,900
- 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,938
- See 3309 Grassy Fields Ln, Apison, TN 37302 on Redfin.com

518 Winchester Dr, Rossville, GA 30741
- Price: $499,900
- 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,650
- See 518 Winchester Dr, Rossville, GA 30741 on Redfin.com

8852 Knolling Loop, Ooltewah, TN 37363
- Price: $499,900
- 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,632
- See 8852 Knolling Loop, Ooltewah, TN 37363 on Redfin.com

215 Virgil Thomas Dr, Jasper, TN 37347
- Price: $499,000
- 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,781
- See 215 Virgil Thomas Dr, Jasper, TN 37347 on Redfin.com

9656 Ashton View Dr, Chattanooga, TN 37421
- Price: $499,900
- 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,773
- See 9656 Ashton View Dr, Chattanooga, TN 37421 on Redfin.com

1530 Firelight Way, Ooltewah, TN 37363
- Price: $499,900
- 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,607
- See 1530 Firelight Way, Ooltewah, TN 37363 on Redfin.com

1542 Firelight Way, Ooltewah, TN 37363
- Price: $499,900
- 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,607
- See 1542 Firelight Way, Ooltewah, TN 37363 on Redfin.com

235 Highland Dr, Dunlap, TN 37327
- Price: $499,900
- 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,120
- See 235 Highland Dr, Dunlap, TN 37327 on Redfin.com

8090 Watercolour Ln, Ooltewah, TN 37363
- Price: $499,999
- 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,250
- See 8090 Watercolour Ln, Ooltewah, TN 37363 on Redfin.com

788 Long Hollow Rd, Rock Spring, GA 30739
- Price: $499,900
- 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,075
- See 788 Long Hollow Rd, Rock Spring, GA 30739 on Redfin.com

808 Gordy Cir, Tunnel Hill, GA 30755
- Price: $499,900
- 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,939
- See 808 Gordy Cir, Tunnel Hill, GA 30755 on Redfin.com

9614 Mulberry Gap Way, Ooltewah, TN 37363
- Price: $500,000
- 3 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,557
- See 9614 Mulberry Gap Way, Ooltewah, TN 37363 on Redfin.com

6306 Stoney River Dr, Harrison, TN 37341
- Price: $499,900
- 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,000
- See 6306 Stoney River Dr, Harrison, TN 37341 on Redfin.com

7452 Peytons Rise Way, Georgetown, TN 37336
- Price: $499,900
- 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,150
- See 7452 Peytons Rise Way, Georgetown, TN 37336 on Redfin.com

7452 Peytons Rise Way, Georgetown, TN 37336
- Price: $499,900
- 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,150
- See 7452 Peytons Rise Way, Georgetown, TN 37336 on Redfin.com

7992 Frostwood Ln, Ooltewah, TN 37363
- Price: $499,900
- 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,028
- See 7992 Frostwood Ln, Ooltewah, TN 37363 on Redfin.com

1317 Thomas Ave, Chattanooga, TN 37409
- Price: $499,000
- 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,004
- See 1317 Thomas Ave, Chattanooga, TN 37409 on Redfin.com

1317 Thomas Ave, Chattanooga, TN 37409
- Price: $499,000
- 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,004
- See 1317 Thomas Ave, Chattanooga, TN 37409 on Redfin.com

7585 Peytons Rise Way, Georgetown, TN 37336
- Price: $499,900
- 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,980
- See 7585 Peytons Rise Way, Georgetown, TN 37336 on Redfin.com

7585 Peytons Rise Way, Georgetown, TN 37336
- Price: $499,900
- 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,980
- See 7585 Peytons Rise Way, Georgetown, TN 37336 on Redfin.com

5517 Abby Grace Loop, Chattanooga, TN 37415
- Price: $499,900
- 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,849
- See 5517 Abby Grace Loop, Chattanooga, TN 37415 on Redfin.com

1104 Westwood Ave, Chattanooga, TN 37405
- Price: $500,000
- 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,846
- See 1104 Westwood Ave, Chattanooga, TN 37405 on Redfin.com

7395 Gamble Rd, Georgetown, TN 37336
- Price: $499,000
- 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,350
- See 7395 Gamble Rd, Georgetown, TN 37336 on Redfin.com

2349 Jennifer Dr, Chattanooga, TN 37421
- Price: $499,999
- 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,992
- See 2349 Jennifer Dr, Chattanooga, TN 37421 on Redfin.com

477 Hulsey Dr, Ringgold, GA 30736
- Price: $500,000
- 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,776
- See 477 Hulsey Dr, Ringgold, GA 30736 on Redfin.com

9228 Brett Ln, Ooltewah, TN 37363
- Price: $500,000
- 3 bedrooms, 1 bathroom
- Square feet: 780
- See 9228 Brett Ln, Ooltewah, TN 37363 on Redfin.com

4312 Lakeshore Ln, Chattanooga, TN 37415
- Price: $499,750
- 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,375
- See 4312 Lakeshore Ln, Chattanooga, TN 37415 on Redfin.com