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

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 Memphis?

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

1235 Vinton Ave, Memphis, TN 38104
- Price: $499,900
- 9 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,530
- See 1235 Vinton Ave, Memphis, TN 38104 on Redfin.com

1500 W Barton Ave, West Memphis, AR 72301
- Price: $499,900
- 6 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 4,505
- See 1500 W Barton Ave, West Memphis, AR 72301 on Redfin.com

75 N Auburndale St, Memphis, TN 38104
- Price: $499,900
- 5 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,855
- See 75 N Auburndale St, Memphis, TN 38104 on Redfin.com

6492 Massey Pointe Cv, Memphis, TN 38120
- Price: $499,900
- 5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 3,200
- See 6492 Massey Pointe Cv, Memphis, TN 38120 on Redfin.com

12035 Brockwell Rd, Arlington, TN 38002
- Price: $499,900
- 5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,600
- See 12035 Brockwell Rd, Arlington, TN 38002 on Redfin.com

4455 Windslet Cv, Southaven, MS 38672
- Price: $499,900
- 4 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 4,900
- See 4455 Windslet Cv, Southaven, MS 38672 on Redfin.com

9025 Bazemore Rd, Cordova, TN 38018
- Price: $499,950
- 4 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 3,800
- See 9025 Bazemore Rd, Cordova, TN 38018 on Redfin.com

4045 Bartlett Country Rd, Bartlett, TN 38135
- Price: $500,000
- 4 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 3,400
- See 4045 Bartlett Country Rd, Bartlett, TN 38135 on Redfin.com

9005 Pembroke Ellis Dr, Bartlett, TN 38133
- Price: $499,900
- 4 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 3,200
- See 9005 Pembroke Ellis Dr, Bartlett, TN 38133 on Redfin.com

9667 Pine Point Dr, Lakeland, TN 38002
- Price: $500,000
- 4 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 3,000
- See 9667 Pine Point Dr, Lakeland, TN 38002 on Redfin.com

9530 Mcelroy Farms Dr, Olive Branch, MS 38654
- Price: $499,950
- 4 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,859
- See 9530 Mcelroy Farms Dr, Olive Branch, MS 38654 on Redfin.com

9884 Cypress Willow Cv, Olive Branch, MS 38654
- Price: $499,950
- 4 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,719
- See 9884 Cypress Willow Cv, Olive Branch, MS 38654 on Redfin.com

6626 Prince Edward Pl, Memphis, TN 38120
- Price: $500,000
- 4 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,200
- See 6626 Prince Edward Pl, Memphis, TN 38120 on Redfin.com

251 Callicott Dr, Coldwater, MS 38618
- Price: $499,900
- 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 3,705
- See 251 Callicott Dr, Coldwater, MS 38618 on Redfin.com

2831 Levee Oaks E, Collierville, TN 38017
- Price: $499,900
- 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 3,600
- See 2831 Levee Oaks E, Collierville, TN 38017 on Redfin.com

8702 Tulane Rd, Hernando, MS 38632
- Price: $499,900
- 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 3,228
- See 8702 Tulane Rd, Hernando, MS 38632 on Redfin.com

7216 Belle Manor Dr, Olive Branch, MS 38654
- Price: $499,900
- 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 3,138
- See 7216 Belle Manor Dr, Olive Branch, MS 38654 on Redfin.com

6105 Scottscraig Cv, Bartlett, TN 38135
- Price: $499,900
- 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 3,000
- See 6105 Scottscraig Cv, Bartlett, TN 38135 on Redfin.com

1748 Baisley Dr, Nesbit, MS 38651
- Price: $499,900
- 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,814
- See 1748 Baisley Dr, Nesbit, MS 38651 on Redfin.com

35 Drysdale Cv, Atoka, TN 38004
- Price: $499,900
- 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,800
- See 35 Drysdale Cv, Atoka, TN 38004 on Redfin.com

426 Ellsworth St, Memphis, TN 38111
- Price: $499,999
- 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,600
- See 426 Ellsworth St, Memphis, TN 38111 on Redfin.com

60 Drysdale Cv, Atoka, TN 38004
- Price: $499,900
- 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,600
- See 60 Drysdale Cv, Atoka, TN 38004 on Redfin.com

7341 4Th Ave, Memphis, TN 38135
- Price: $499,999
- 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 3,200
- See 7341 4Th Ave, Memphis, TN 38135 on Redfin.com

6992 Corsica Dr, Germantown, TN 38138
- Price: $499,900
- 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 3,000
- See 6992 Corsica Dr, Germantown, TN 38138 on Redfin.com

971 Rolling Oaks Ln, Collierville, TN 38017
- Price: $499,900
- 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,800
- See 971 Rolling Oaks Ln, Collierville, TN 38017 on Redfin.com

2245 Madison Ave, Memphis, TN 38104
- Price: $500,000
- 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,600
- See 2245 Madison Ave, Memphis, TN 38104 on Redfin.com

192 N White Station Rd, Memphis, TN 38117
- Price: $500,000
- 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 3,200
- See 192 N White Station Rd, Memphis, TN 38117 on Redfin.com

483 Armel Dr, Collierville, TN 38017
- Price: $499,900
- 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,000
- See 483 Armel Dr, Collierville, TN 38017 on Redfin.com

140 Marina Point Ln, Memphis, TN 38103
- Price: $499,999
- 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,800
- See 140 Marina Point Ln, Memphis, TN 38103 on Redfin.com

370 Talley Rd, Atoka, TN 38004
- Price: $499,999
- 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,600
- See 370 Talley Rd, Atoka, TN 38004 on Redfin.com