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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 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 , affordability keeps dropping, and are becoming harder to find as home values . This has created a very sluggish and difficult housing market. In fact, even the usual busy spring and summer buying seasons were this year.

While $500,000 once stretched much further, in many cities today, it's not nearly enough. But what about Chicago?

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

4819 W Superior St, Chicago, IL 60644
- Price: $500,000
- 7 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,876
- See 4819 W Superior St, Chicago, IL 60644 on

1118 N Springfield Ave, Chicago, IL 60651
- Price: $500,000
- 6 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,655
- See 1118 N Springfield Ave, Chicago, IL 60651 on

1305 Campbell St, Joliet, IL 60435
- Price: $500,000
- 5 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,967
- See 1305 Campbell St, Joliet, IL 60435 on

1083 Country Glen Ln, Carol Stream, IL 60188
- Price: $500,000
- 5 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,250
- See 1083 Country Glen Ln, Carol Stream, IL 60188 on

504 W Hillcrest Dr, Romeoville, IL 60446
- Price: $500,000
- 5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,359
- See 504 W Hillcrest Dr, Romeoville, IL 60446 on

602 Stephanie Dr, Lockport, IL 60441
- Price: $500,000
- 5 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,526
- See 602 Stephanie Dr, Lockport, IL 60441 on

9S115 Nantucket Dr, Darien, IL 60561
- Price: $500,000
- 5 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,288
- See 9S115 Nantucket Dr, Darien, IL 60561 on

98 Stonegate Rd, Buffalo Grove, IL 60089
- Price: $500,000
- 5 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,068
- See 98 Stonegate Rd, Buffalo Grove, IL 60089 on

3328 W Warren Blvd, Chicago, IL 60624
- Price: $500,000
- 5 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 3,248
- See 3328 W Warren Blvd, Chicago, IL 60624 on

623 Willow Ln, Elk Grove Village, IL 60007
- Price: $500,000
- 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,710
- See 623 Willow Ln, Elk Grove Village, IL 60007 on

11512 S Nagle Ave, Worth, IL 60482
- Price: $500,000
- 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 3,400
- See 11512 S Nagle Ave, Worth, IL 60482 on

365 Oakmont Dr, Cary, IL 60013
- Price: $500,000
- 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 3,277
- See 365 Oakmont Dr, Cary, IL 60013 on

910 Lonsdale Rd, Elk Grove Village, IL 60007
- Price: $500,000
- 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,575
- See 910 Lonsdale Rd, Elk Grove Village, IL 60007 on

6932 Martin Dr, Woodridge, IL 60517
- Price: $500,000
- 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,640
- See 6932 Martin Dr, Woodridge, IL 60517 on

76 Grange Rd, Elk Grove Village, IL 60007
- Price: $500,000
- 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,621
- See 76 Grange Rd, Elk Grove Village, IL 60007 on

3000 Miller Dr, Mchenry, IL 60050
- Price: $500,000
- 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,014
- See 3000 Miller Dr, Mchenry, IL 60050 on

12 James Dr, Westmont, IL 60559
- Price: $500,000
- 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,142
- See 12 James Dr, Westmont, IL 60559 on

2042 University Dr, Naperville, IL 60565
- Price: $500,000
- 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,380
- See 2042 University Dr, Naperville, IL 60565 on

4444 Franklin Ave, Western Springs, IL 60558
- Price: $500,000
- 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,279
- See 4444 Franklin Ave, Western Springs, IL 60558 on

1122 S Maple Ave, Oak Park, IL 60304
- Price: $500,000
- 3 bedrooms, 1.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,768
- See 1122 S Maple Ave, Oak Park, IL 60304 on

260 E Chestnut St, Chicago, IL 60611
- Price: $500,000
- 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,600
- See 260 E Chestnut St, Chicago, IL 60611 on

160 E Illinois St, Chicago, IL 60611
- Price: $500,000
- 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,390
- See 160 E Illinois St, Chicago, IL 60611 on

1335 S Prairie Ave, Chicago, IL 60605
- Price: $500,000
- 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,380
- See 1335 S Prairie Ave, Chicago, IL 60605 on

21 E Huron St, Chicago, IL 60611
- Price: $500,000
- 1 bedroom, 1.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,004
- See 21 E Huron St, Chicago, IL 60611 on