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 Rome?

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

121 Deer Run Trl Nw, Rome, GA 30165
- Price: $427,000
- 5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,341
- See 121 Deer Run Trl Nw, Rome, GA 30165 on Redfin.com

612 Eden Valley Rd Se, Rome, GA 30161
- Price: $499,000
- 4 bedrooms, 4.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 3,380
- See 612 Eden Valley Rd Se, Rome, GA 30161 on Redfin.com

22 Oakfield Dr Se, Rome, GA 30161
- Price: $439,000
- 4 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,769
- See 22 Oakfield Dr Se, Rome, GA 30161 on Redfin.com

2 Stonebrook Dr Sw, Rome, GA 30165
- Price: $444,900
- 4 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 4,326
- See 2 Stonebrook Dr Sw, Rome, GA 30165 on Redfin.com

6 Hideaway Dr Ne, Rome, GA 30161
- Price: $479,900
- 4 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,948
- See 6 Hideaway Dr Ne, Rome, GA 30161 on Redfin.com

26 Greer Dr Ne, Rome, GA 30161
- Price: $465,000
- 4 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,757
- See 26 Greer Dr Ne, Rome, GA 30161 on Redfin.com

1572 Booze Mountain Rd Se, Silver Creek, GA 30173
- Price: $450,000
- 4 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,281
- See 1572 Booze Mountain Rd Se, Silver Creek, GA 30173 on Redfin.com

31 Notasulga Dr Sw, Rome, GA 30161
- Price: $439,000
- 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 3,388
- See 31 Notasulga Dr Sw, Rome, GA 30161 on Redfin.com

10 Horseshoe Bend Rd Sw, Rome, GA 30165
- Price: $419,900
- 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 3,136
- See 10 Horseshoe Bend Rd Sw, Rome, GA 30165 on Redfin.com

227 W Lakeshore Dr Se, Rome, GA 30161
- Price: $459,000
- 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,711
- See 227 W Lakeshore Dr Se, Rome, GA 30161 on Redfin.com

622 Harmony Rd Se, Aragon, GA 30104
- Price: $419,900
- 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,500
- See 622 Harmony Rd Se, Aragon, GA 30104 on Redfin.com

334 Armuchee Trl Ne, Rome, GA 30165
- Price: $429,900
- 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,320
- See 334 Armuchee Trl Ne, Rome, GA 30165 on Redfin.com

45 Wildflower Rd Ne, Rome, GA 30161
- Price: $449,900
- 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,236
- See 45 Wildflower Rd Ne, Rome, GA 30161 on Redfin.com

35 Cumberland Dr Se, Rome, GA 30161
- Price: $419,900
- 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,752
- See 35 Cumberland Dr Se, Rome, GA 30161 on Redfin.com

1 River Place Dr Sw, Rome, GA 30165
- Price: $419,000
- 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,390
- See 1 River Place Dr Sw, Rome, GA 30165 on Redfin.com

1 Hogan Ln Nw, Rome, GA 30165
- Price: $435,000
- 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,329
- See 1 Hogan Ln Nw, Rome, GA 30165 on Redfin.com

16 Quarter Horse Dr Nw, Rome, GA 30165
- Price: $475,000
- 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,310
- See 16 Quarter Horse Dr Nw, Rome, GA 30165 on Redfin.com

3 Belmont Ct Se, Rome, GA 30161
- Price: $439,000
- 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,280
- See 3 Belmont Ct Se, Rome, GA 30161 on Redfin.com

4 Club View Dr Se, Rome, GA 30161
- Price: $489,000
- 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,160
- See 4 Club View Dr Se, Rome, GA 30161 on Redfin.com

519 Chateau Dr Se, Rome, GA 30161
- Price: $495,000
- 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,144
- See 519 Chateau Dr Se, Rome, GA 30161 on Redfin.com

20 Trotters Ln Nw, Rome, GA 30165
- Price: $469,900
- 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,962
- See 20 Trotters Ln Nw, Rome, GA 30165 on Redfin.com

9 Shorter Cir Sw, Rome, GA 30165
- Price: $499,000
- 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,446
- See 9 Shorter Cir Sw, Rome, GA 30165 on Redfin.com

17 Rosewood Rd Sw, Rome, GA 30165
- Price: $429,000
- 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,135
- See 17 Rosewood Rd Sw, Rome, GA 30165 on Redfin.com

8 Tall Pines Ter Nw, Rome, GA 30165
- Price: $449,900
- 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,397
- See 8 Tall Pines Ter Nw, Rome, GA 30165 on Redfin.com

293 N Avery Rd Nw, Rome, GA 30165
- Price: $479,000
- 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,200
- See 293 N Avery Rd Nw, Rome, GA 30165 on Redfin.com

1291 Bells Ferry Rd Ne, Rome, GA 30161
- Price: $479,900
- 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,019
- See 1291 Bells Ferry Rd Ne, Rome, GA 30161 on Redfin.com

1434 Cullpepper Rd Ne, Calhoun, GA 30701
- Price: $499,500
- 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,971
- See 1434 Cullpepper Rd Ne, Calhoun, GA 30701 on Redfin.com

1055 E Hermitage Rd Ne, Rome, GA 30161
- Price: $479,000
- 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,713
- See 1055 E Hermitage Rd Ne, Rome, GA 30161 on Redfin.com

260 Lovers Ln Ne, Armuchee, GA 30105
- Price: $480,000
- 3 bedrooms, 1 bathroom
- Square feet: 1,800
- See 260 Lovers Ln Ne, Armuchee, GA 30105 on Redfin.com

204 E 5Th Ave, Rome, GA 30161
- Price: $425,000
- 2 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,555
- See 204 E 5Th Ave, Rome, GA 30161 on Redfin.com

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