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 Athens?

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

213 Highland Park Dr, Athens, GA 30605
- Price: $479,000
- 6 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 3,944
- See 213 Highland Park Dr, Athens, GA 30605 on Redfin.com

1541 Union Church Rd, Watkinsville, GA 30677
- Price: $475,000
- 6 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,600
- See 1541 Union Church Rd, Watkinsville, GA 30677 on Redfin.com

113 Sidetrack Cir, Comer, GA 30629
- Price: $480,000
- 5 bedrooms, 4.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 3,218
- See 113 Sidetrack Cir, Comer, GA 30629 on Redfin.com

113 Sidetrack Cir, Comer, GA 30629
- Price: $480,000
- 5 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 3,218
- See 113 Sidetrack Cir, Comer, GA 30629 on Redfin.com

440 Wood Ln, Athens, GA 30605
- Price: $500,000
- 5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 4,947
- See 440 Wood Ln, Athens, GA 30605 on Redfin.com

1031 Sagefield Dr, Watkinsville, GA 30677
- Price: $480,000
- 5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 3,095
- See 1031 Sagefield Dr, Watkinsville, GA 30677 on Redfin.com

2188 Day Dr, Bogart, GA 30622
- Price: $499,900
- 4 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 3,308
- See 2188 Day Dr, Bogart, GA 30622 on Redfin.com

170 Fritz Mar Ln, Athens, GA 30607
- Price: $475,000
- 4 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,906
- See 170 Fritz Mar Ln, Athens, GA 30607 on Redfin.com

1020 Barnett Pl, Athens, GA 30605
- Price: $500,000
- 4 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,550
- See 1020 Barnett Pl, Athens, GA 30605 on Redfin.com

311 Summerville Ln, Athens, GA 30606
- Price: $490,500
- 4 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,525
- See 311 Summerville Ln, Athens, GA 30606 on Redfin.com

315 Summerville Ln, Athens, GA 30606
- Price: $482,500
- 4 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,525
- See 315 Summerville Ln, Athens, GA 30606 on Redfin.com

170 Elliot Cir, Watkinsville, GA 30677
- Price: $480,000
- 4 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,510
- See 170 Elliot Cir, Watkinsville, GA 30677 on Redfin.com

212 Meeler Cir, Bogart, GA 30622
- Price: $470,000
- 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,755
- See 212 Meeler Cir, Bogart, GA 30622 on Redfin.com

607 Creekside Ct, Athens, GA 30606
- Price: $500,000
- 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,424
- See 607 Creekside Ct, Athens, GA 30606 on Redfin.com

350 Discovery Trl, Athens, GA 30605
- Price: $467,000
- 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,501
- See 350 Discovery Trl, Athens, GA 30605 on Redfin.com

360 Discovery Trl, Athens, GA 30605
- Price: $467,000
- 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,501
- See 360 Discovery Trl, Athens, GA 30605 on Redfin.com

237 Oxmoor Ln, Winterville, GA 30683
- Price: $472,000
- 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,292
- See 237 Oxmoor Ln, Winterville, GA 30683 on Redfin.com

1050 Golf Course Ln, Athens, GA 30605
- Price: $500,000
- 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,219
- See 1050 Golf Course Ln, Athens, GA 30605 on Redfin.com

2157 Day Dr, Bogart, GA 30622
- Price: $475,000
- 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,387
- See 2157 Day Dr, Bogart, GA 30622 on Redfin.com

378 Beechwood Dr, Athens, GA 30606
- Price: $499,900
- 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,149
- See 378 Beechwood Dr, Athens, GA 30606 on Redfin.com

100 Ansonborough Ln, Athens, GA 30605
- Price: $479,900
- 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,386
- See 100 Ansonborough Ln, Athens, GA 30605 on Redfin.com

1040 Mosswood Dr, Bogart, GA 30622
- Price: $475,000
- 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,758
- See 1040 Mosswood Dr, Bogart, GA 30622 on Redfin.com

104 Annas Walk, Athens, GA 30606
- Price: $485,000
- 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,263
- See 104 Annas Walk, Athens, GA 30606 on Redfin.com

1485 Orchard Cir, Watkinsville, GA 30677
- Price: $475,000
- 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,985
- See 1485 Orchard Cir, Watkinsville, GA 30677 on Redfin.com

190 Bowles Dr, Athens, GA 30606
- Price: $475,000
- 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,526
- See 190 Bowles Dr, Athens, GA 30606 on Redfin.com

190 Bowles Dr, Athens, GA 30606
- Price: $475,000
- 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,526
- See 190 Bowles Dr, Athens, GA 30606 on Redfin.com

1851 Mcnutt Creek Rd, Bogart, GA 30622
- Price: $475,000
- 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,296
- See 1851 Mcnutt Creek Rd, Bogart, GA 30622 on Redfin.com

1226 W Broad St, Athens, GA 30606
- Price: $499,000
- 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,044
- See 1226 W Broad St, Athens, GA 30606 on Redfin.com

390 Old Edwards Rd, Arnoldsville, GA 30619
- Price: $499,000
- 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,930
- See 390 Old Edwards Rd, Arnoldsville, GA 30619 on Redfin.com

2232 Orchard Cir, Watkinsville, GA 30677
- Price: $474,000
- 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,770
- See 2232 Orchard Cir, Watkinsville, GA 30677 on Redfin.com

This story was produced by Redfin Real Estate and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.