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 New York City?
To find out, Redfin Real Estate found listings near the $500,000 mark to see what types of homes you can actually afford in New York City right now. Listings below $500,000 were included if necessary.
32 Linda Ave, Staten Island, NY 10305
- Price: $500,000
- 4 bedrooms, 1.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,392
- See 32 Linda Ave, Staten Island, NY 10305 on Redfin.com
11117 133Rd St, South Ozone Park, NY 11420
- Price: $500,000
- 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,764
- See 11117 133Rd St, South Ozone Park, NY 11420 on Redfin.com
554 Kensico Ct, Suffern, NY 10901
- Price: $500,000
- 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,626
- See 554 Kensico Ct, Suffern, NY 10901 on Redfin.com
99 W Shore Dr, Carmel, NY 10512
- Price: $500,000
- 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,918
- See 99 W Shore Dr, Carmel, NY 10512 on Redfin.com
126 Tanglewylde Rd, Putnam Valley, NY 10579
- Price: $500,000
- 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,800
- See 126 Tanglewylde Rd, Putnam Valley, NY 10579 on Redfin.com
1669 E 49Th St, Brooklyn, NY 11234
- Price: $500,000
- 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,012
- See 1669 E 49Th St, Brooklyn, NY 11234 on Redfin.com
224 Hamilton Ave, Clifton, NJ 07011
- Price: $500,000
- 3 bedrooms, 1.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,184
- See 224 Hamilton Ave, Clifton, NJ 07011 on Redfin.com
39 Roosevelt St, North Arlington, NJ 07031
- Price: $500,000
- 3 bedrooms, 1 bathroom
- Square feet: 1,137
- See 39 Roosevelt St, North Arlington, NJ 07031 on Redfin.com
4238 Judge St, Elmhurst, NY 11373
- Price: $500,000
- 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 750
- See 4238 Judge St, Elmhurst, NY 11373 on Redfin.com
224 22Nd St, Brooklyn, NY 11232
- Price: $500,000
- 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom
- Square feet: 667
- See 224 22Nd St, Brooklyn, NY 11232 on Redfin.com
66 Saint Nicholas Ave, New York, NY 10026
- Price: $500,000
- 1 bedroom, 1.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 750
- See 66 Saint Nicholas Ave, New York, NY 10026 on Redfin.com
225 Saint Pauls Ave, Jersey City, NJ 07306
- Price: $500,000
- 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom
- Square feet: 927
- See 225 Saint Pauls Ave, Jersey City, NJ 07306 on Redfin.com
156 Somers St, Brooklyn, NY 11233
- Price: $500,000
- 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom
- Square feet: 573
- See 156 Somers St, Brooklyn, NY 11233 on Redfin.com
1126 Park Ave, New York, NY 10128
- Price: $500,000
- 0 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,789
- See 1126 Park Ave, New York, NY 10128 on Redfin.com
60 Pineapple St, Brooklyn, NY 11201
- Price: $500,000
- 0 bedrooms, 1 bathroom
- Square feet: 585
- See 60 Pineapple St, Brooklyn, NY 11201 on Redfin.com
200 W 20Th St, New York, NY 10011
- Price: $500,000
- 0 bedrooms, 1 bathroom
- Square feet: 507
- See 200 W 20Th St, New York, NY 10011 on Redfin.com
220 E 60Th St, New York, NY 10022
- Price: $500,000
- 0 bedrooms, 1 bathroom
- Square feet: 463
- See 220 E 60Th St, New York, NY 10022 on Redfin.com
520 E 81St St, New York, NY 10028
- Price: $500,000
- 0 bedrooms, 1 bathroom
- Square feet: 430
- See 520 E 81St St, New York, NY 10028 on Redfin.com
393 W 49Th St, New York, NY 10019
- Price: $500,000
- 0 bedrooms, 1 bathroom
- Square feet: 372
- See 393 W 49Th St, New York, NY 10019 on Redfin.com
312 W 23Rd St, New York, NY 10011
- Price: $500,000
- 0 bedrooms, 1 bathroom
- Square feet: 345
- See 312 W 23Rd St, New York, NY 10011 on Redfin.com
550 Metropolitan Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11211
- Price: $500,000
- 0 bedrooms, 0.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 481
- See 550 Metropolitan Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11211 on Redfin.com
This story was produced by Redfin Real Estate and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.