How much house does $500,000 buy you in Charleston, West Virginia?

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 Charleston, West Virginia?

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

901 Evanwood Rd, Charleston, WV 25314
- Price: $419,973
- 6 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms
- Square feet: 4,339
- See 901 Evanwood Rd, Charleston, WV 25314 on Redfin.com

328 Mckinley Ave, Charleston, WV 25314
- Price: $449,999
- 5 bedrooms, 4.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 5,500
- See 328 Mckinley Ave, Charleston, WV 25314 on Redfin.com

3025 Michael Ave, Belle, WV 25015
- Price: $499,900
- 5 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 3,353
- See 3025 Michael Ave, Belle, WV 25015 on Redfin.com

1573 Quarrier St, Charleston, WV 25311
- Price: $379,900
- 5 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 3,751
- See 1573 Quarrier St, Charleston, WV 25311 on Redfin.com

1565 Quarrier St, Charleston, WV 25311
- Price: $499,900
- 5 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 3,108
- See 1565 Quarrier St, Charleston, WV 25311 on Redfin.com

802 Maple Rd, Charleston, WV 25302
- Price: $399,500
- 5 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 4,100
- See 802 Maple Rd, Charleston, WV 25302 on Redfin.com

207 Mckinley Ave, Charleston, WV 25314
- Price: $479,000
- 4 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms
- Square feet: 5,154
- See 207 Mckinley Ave, Charleston, WV 25314 on Redfin.com

1565 Virginia St E, Charleston, WV 25311
- Price: $372,000
- 4 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 4,250
- See 1565 Virginia St E, Charleston, WV 25311 on Redfin.com

140 Morton Dr, Hamlin, WV 25523
- Price: $429,900
- 4 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 4,015
- See 140 Morton Dr, Hamlin, WV 25523 on Redfin.com

135 Margy Ln, South Charleston, WV 25309
- Price: $485,000
- 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 3,300
- See 135 Margy Ln, South Charleston, WV 25309 on Redfin.com

207 Branchfield Dr, Charleston, WV 25314
- Price: $394,000
- 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 3,184
- See 207 Branchfield Dr, Charleston, WV 25314 on Redfin.com

502 Wkan Blvd, Charleston, WV 25302
- Price: $370,000
- 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 3,133
- See 502 Wkan Blvd, Charleston, WV 25302 on Redfin.com

142 Fisher Ridge Rd, Kenna, WV 25248
- Price: $450,000
- 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 3,072
- See 142 Fisher Ridge Rd, Kenna, WV 25248 on Redfin.com

1520 Knob Rd, Charleston, WV 25314
- Price: $398,500
- 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,354
- See 1520 Knob Rd, Charleston, WV 25314 on Redfin.com

1405 Ravinia Rd, Charleston, WV 25314
- Price: $449,000
- 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 4,127
- See 1405 Ravinia Rd, Charleston, WV 25314 on Redfin.com

630 Park Ave, Danville, WV 25053
- Price: $375,000
- 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 3,308
- See 630 Park Ave, Danville, WV 25053 on Redfin.com

606 Fort Hill Dr, Charleston, WV 25314
- Price: $469,900
- 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,372
- See 606 Fort Hill Dr, Charleston, WV 25314 on Redfin.com

1594 Jackson St, Charleston, WV 25311
- Price: $474,900
- 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,792
- See 1594 Jackson St, Charleston, WV 25311 on Redfin.com

3 Lou'S Dr, Elkview, WV 25071
- Price: $495,900
- 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 3,600
- See 3 Lou'S Dr, Elkview, WV 25071 on Redfin.com

1524 Hampton Rd, Charleston, WV 25314
- Price: $495,000
- 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,527
- See 1524 Hampton Rd, Charleston, WV 25314 on Redfin.com

4210 Fairway Xing, South Charleston, WV 25309
- Price: $455,000
- 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,176
- See 4210 Fairway Xing, South Charleston, WV 25309 on Redfin.com

4044 Indian Creek Rd, Elkview, WV 25071
- Price: $429,000
- 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 3,197
- See 4044 Indian Creek Rd, Elkview, WV 25071 on Redfin.com

5216 Kelly Rd, Charleston, WV 25313
- Price: $369,900
- 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,913
- See 5216 Kelly Rd, Charleston, WV 25313 on Redfin.com

705 Christian Dr, Charleston, WV 25303
- Price: $400,000
- 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,616
- See 705 Christian Dr, Charleston, WV 25303 on Redfin.com

500 Spring St, Ripley, WV 25271
- Price: $379,000
- 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 3,030
- See 500 Spring St, Ripley, WV 25271 on Redfin.com

1500 Longridge Rd, Charleston, WV 25314
- Price: $475,000
- 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,500
- See 1500 Longridge Rd, Charleston, WV 25314 on Redfin.com

3282 Greenview Rd, South Charleston, WV 25309
- Price: $407,000
- 2 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,958
- See 3282 Greenview Rd, South Charleston, WV 25309 on Redfin.com

498 Little Queen Rd, Clendenin, WV 25045
- Price: $429,000
- 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom
- Square feet: 1,450
- See 498 Little Queen Rd, Clendenin, WV 25045 on Redfin.com

609 Rockcrest Dr, South Charleston, WV 25309
- Price: $499,973
- 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom
- Square feet: 1,401
- See 609 Rockcrest Dr, South Charleston, WV 25309 on Redfin.com