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

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 Wausau?

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

1200 E 6Th St, Merrill, WI 54452
- Price: $459,000
- 7 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms
- Square feet: 5,724
- See 1200 E 6Th St, Merrill, WI 54452 on Redfin.com

1003 W 10 St, Merrill, WI 54452
- Price: $479,900
- 5 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms
- Square feet: 3,250
- See 1003 W 10 St, Merrill, WI 54452 on Redfin.com

W3517 Schiller Dr, Merrill, WI 54452
- Price: $430,000
- 5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 3,503
- See W3517 Schiller Dr, Merrill, WI 54452 on Redfin.com

2520 Sussex Pl, Kronenwetter, WI 54455
- Price: $450,000
- 5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 3,166
- See 2520 Sussex Pl, Kronenwetter, WI 54455 on Redfin.com

1815 Woodland Ridge Rd, Wausau, WI 54403
- Price: $419,900
- 5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,792
- See 1815 Woodland Ridge Rd, Wausau, WI 54403 on Redfin.com

165590 Junction Rd, Wausau, WI 54403
- Price: $499,000
- 5 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 3,348
- See 165590 Junction Rd, Wausau, WI 54403 on Redfin.com

1102 Michler Crst, Merrill, WI 54452
- Price: $495,000
- 4 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms
- Square feet: 4,312
- See 1102 Michler Crst, Merrill, WI 54452 on Redfin.com

4002 Pine Tree Rd, Wausau, WI 54403
- Price: $434,900
- 4 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms
- Square feet: 3,640
- See 4002 Pine Tree Rd, Wausau, WI 54403 on Redfin.com

5903 Mary Ln, Schofield, WI 54476
- Price: $450,000
- 4 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms
- Square feet: 3,371
- See 5903 Mary Ln, Schofield, WI 54476 on Redfin.com

2008 Cedar Creek Dr, Rothschild, WI 54474
- Price: $424,900
- 4 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms
- Square feet: 3,272
- See 2008 Cedar Creek Dr, Rothschild, WI 54474 on Redfin.com

227825 Nuthatch Ln, Wausau, WI 54401
- Price: $469,900
- 4 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms
- Square feet: 3,079
- See 227825 Nuthatch Ln, Wausau, WI 54401 on Redfin.com

620 Spring St, Wausau, WI 54403
- Price: $462,000
- 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 3,392
- See 620 Spring St, Wausau, WI 54403 on Redfin.com

2260 Sisken Ln, Kronenwetter, WI 54455
- Price: $435,900
- 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,384
- See 2260 Sisken Ln, Kronenwetter, WI 54455 on Redfin.com

118311 Sunset Ridge Dr, Stratford, WI 54484
- Price: $449,900
- 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,769
- See 118311 Sunset Ridge Dr, Stratford, WI 54484 on Redfin.com

110210 Ollie Rd, Athens, WI 54411
- Price: $434,900
- 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,640
- See 110210 Ollie Rd, Athens, WI 54411 on Redfin.com

3806 Muskie Dr, Weston, WI 54476
- Price: $460,365
- 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,444
- See 3806 Muskie Dr, Weston, WI 54476 on Redfin.com

9510 Venetian Way, Schofield, WI 54476
- Price: $499,900
- 3 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 3,562
- See 9510 Venetian Way, Schofield, WI 54476 on Redfin.com

207636 County Road M, Stratford, WI 54484
- Price: $449,900
- 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,680
- See 207636 County Road M, Stratford, WI 54484 on Redfin.com

511 Washington St, Mosinee, WI 54455
- Price: $449,900
- 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,150
- See 511 Washington St, Mosinee, WI 54455 on Redfin.com

N5637 State Road 107, Irma, WI 54442
- Price: $439,900
- 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,660
- See N5637 State Road 107, Irma, WI 54442 on Redfin.com

N1237 Wisconsin River Rd, Merrill, WI 54452
- Price: $430,000
- 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,523
- See N1237 Wisconsin River Rd, Merrill, WI 54452 on Redfin.com

W3702 County Road D, Tomahawk, WI 54487
- Price: $420,000
- 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,448
- See W3702 County Road D, Tomahawk, WI 54487 on Redfin.com

W3702 Cth D, Tomahawk, WI 54487
- Price: $420,000
- 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,448
- See W3702 Cth D, Tomahawk, WI 54487 on Redfin.com

103735 Hayward Rd, Spencer, WI 54479
- Price: $465,000
- 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,212
- See 103735 Hayward Rd, Spencer, WI 54479 on Redfin.com

8412 Hinner Springs Dr, Schofield, WI 54476
- Price: $424,900
- 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,058
- See 8412 Hinner Springs Dr, Schofield, WI 54476 on Redfin.com

3810 Muskie Dr, Weston, WI 54476
- Price: $431,973
- 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,046
- See 3810 Muskie Dr, Weston, WI 54476 on Redfin.com

3820 Muskie Dr, Weston, WI 54476
- Price: $475,121
- 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,846
- See 3820 Muskie Dr, Weston, WI 54476 on Redfin.com

3816 Muskie Dr, Weston, WI 54476
- Price: $445,333
- 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,724
- See 3816 Muskie Dr, Weston, WI 54476 on Redfin.com

1305 Eden Dr, Wausau, WI 54401
- Price: $439,000
- 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,424
- See 1305 Eden Dr, Wausau, WI 54401 on Redfin.com