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

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 La Crosse?

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

551 Bluff Dr, La Crescent, MN 55947
- Price: $489,900
- 4 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 3,576
- See 551 Bluff Dr, La Crescent, MN 55947 on Redfin.com

421 August Hills Dr, La Crescent, MN 55947
- Price: $419,900
- 4 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 3,024
- See 421 August Hills Dr, La Crescent, MN 55947 on Redfin.com

1918 Arches Dr, Holmen, WI 54636
- Price: $499,800
- 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,738
- See 1918 Arches Dr, Holmen, WI 54636 on Redfin.com

N1110 Bloomer Mill Rd, La Crosse, WI 54601
- Price: $449,000
- 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,340
- See N1110 Bloomer Mill Rd, La Crosse, WI 54601 on Redfin.com

475 Coronado Cir, Onalaska, WI 54650
- Price: $400,000
- 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,200
- See 475 Coronado Cir, Onalaska, WI 54650 on Redfin.com

2306 Sandside Ct, Onalaska, WI 54650
- Price: $440,000
- 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,172
- See 2306 Sandside Ct, Onalaska, WI 54650 on Redfin.com

W4936 Battlestone Station Rd, La Crosse, WI 54601
- Price: $499,900
- 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,767
- See W4936 Battlestone Station Rd, La Crosse, WI 54601 on Redfin.com

1503 Claudia Ave, La Crescent, MN 55947
- Price: $479,900
- 4 bedrooms, 2.3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 3,190
- See 1503 Claudia Ave, La Crescent, MN 55947 on Redfin.com

2010 Main St, La Crosse, WI 54601
- Price: $482,000
- 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 3,526
- See 2010 Main St, La Crosse, WI 54601 on Redfin.com

W5311 County Rd W, Holmen, WI 54636
- Price: $500,000
- 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,167
- See W5311 County Rd W, Holmen, WI 54636 on Redfin.com

4060 Brook Elizabeth Dr, Onalaska, WI 54650
- Price: $425,000
- 3 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,256
- See 4060 Brook Elizabeth Dr, Onalaska, WI 54650 on Redfin.com

3018 Christenson Ln, Onalaska, WI 54650
- Price: $449,900
- 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 3,222
- See 3018 Christenson Ln, Onalaska, WI 54650 on Redfin.com

4058 Brook Elizabeth Dr, Onalaska, WI 54650
- Price: $414,900
- 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,256
- See 4058 Brook Elizabeth Dr, Onalaska, WI 54650 on Redfin.com

W7919 County Road Zb, Onalaska, WI 54650
- Price: $450,000
- 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,896
- See W7919 County Road Zb, Onalaska, WI 54650 on Redfin.com

W3233 State Road 16, West Salem, WI 54669
- Price: $405,000
- 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 3,184
- See W3233 State Road 16, West Salem, WI 54669 on Redfin.com

845 Crockett Dr, Holmen, WI 54636
- Price: $499,900
- 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,944
- See 845 Crockett Dr, Holmen, WI 54636 on Redfin.com

W5835 Koss Rd, Onalaska, WI 54650
- Price: $449,900
- 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,922
- See W5835 Koss Rd, Onalaska, WI 54650 on Redfin.com

1055 Crockett Dr, Holmen, WI 54636
- Price: $499,500
- 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,802
- See 1055 Crockett Dr, Holmen, WI 54636 on Redfin.com

940 Crockett Dr, Holmen, WI 54636
- Price: $489,900
- 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,756
- See 940 Crockett Dr, Holmen, WI 54636 on Redfin.com

935 Crockett Dr, Holmen, WI 54636
- Price: $489,900
- 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,756
- See 935 Crockett Dr, Holmen, WI 54636 on Redfin.com

4001 Gabrielle Way, Onalaska, WI 54650
- Price: $435,000
- 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,750
- See 4001 Gabrielle Way, Onalaska, WI 54650 on Redfin.com

4008 Elizabeth Ln, Onalaska, WI 54650
- Price: $435,000
- 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,750
- See 4008 Elizabeth Ln, Onalaska, WI 54650 on Redfin.com

835 Crockett Dr, Holmen, WI 54636
- Price: $489,900
- 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,739
- See 835 Crockett Dr, Holmen, WI 54636 on Redfin.com

1009 Valley View Dr, Holmen, WI 54636
- Price: $485,000
- 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,682
- See 1009 Valley View Dr, Holmen, WI 54636 on Redfin.com

3430 Mcwain Dr, Holmen, WI 54636
- Price: $454,900
- 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,680
- See 3430 Mcwain Dr, Holmen, WI 54636 on Redfin.com

1506 S Cherry Ln, Holmen, WI 54636
- Price: $424,900
- 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,507
- See 1506 S Cherry Ln, Holmen, WI 54636 on Redfin.com

4051 Brook Elizabeth Dr, Onalaska, WI 54650
- Price: $445,000
- 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,608
- See 4051 Brook Elizabeth Dr, Onalaska, WI 54650 on Redfin.com

W7855 County Road Zb, Onalaska, WI 54650
- Price: $495,000
- 2 bedrooms, 1.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,556
- See W7855 County Road Zb, Onalaska, WI 54650 on Redfin.com

911 Mississippi Ln, Brownsville, MN 55919
- Price: $449,900
- 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom
- Square feet: 1,149
- See 911 Mississippi Ln, Brownsville, MN 55919 on Redfin.com