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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 Worcester?

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

44 Westminster St, Worcester, MA 01605
- Price: $499,900
- 7 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,724
- See 44 Westminster St, Worcester, MA 01605 on

100-104 Ashburnham Hill Rd, Fitchburg, MA 01420
- Price: $499,900
- 6 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,976
- See 100-104 Ashburnham Hill Rd, Fitchburg, MA 01420 on

9 Pearl St, Webster, MA 01570
- Price: $500,000
- 6 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,340
- See 9 Pearl St, Webster, MA 01570 on

29 Whitcomb St, Webster, MA 01570
- Price: $500,000
- 6 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,264
- See 29 Whitcomb St, Webster, MA 01570 on

4 Brigham Park, Fitchburg, MA 01420
- Price: $500,000
- 6 bedrooms, 1.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 4,228
- See 4 Brigham Park, Fitchburg, MA 01420 on

67 E Main St, West Brookfield, MA 01585
- Price: $499,900
- 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,554
- See 67 E Main St, West Brookfield, MA 01585 on

410 Porter Pond Rd, Sterling, CT 06377
- Price: $500,000
- 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,535
- See 410 Porter Pond Rd, Sterling, CT 06377 on

12 Onset St, Worcester, MA 01604
- Price: $499,900
- 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,247
- See 12 Onset St, Worcester, MA 01604 on

15 Cheyenne Rd, Worcester, MA 01606
- Price: $499,900
- 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,979
- See 15 Cheyenne Rd, Worcester, MA 01606 on

16 Highland Ave, Holden, MA 01520
- Price: $499,900
- 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,740
- See 16 Highland Ave, Holden, MA 01520 on

293 Washington, Warren, MA 01083
- Price: $499,900
- 4 bedrooms, 1 bathroom
- Square feet: 1,502
- See 293 Washington, Warren, MA 01083 on

14 Welch Ave, Rutland, MA 01543
- Price: $499,900
- 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,913
- See 14 Welch Ave, Rutland, MA 01543 on

7 Longworth Rd, Worcester, MA 01602
- Price: $499,900
- 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,620
- See 7 Longworth Rd, Worcester, MA 01602 on

276 Brickyard Rd, Athol, MA 01331
- Price: $499,900
- 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,616
- See 276 Brickyard Rd, Athol, MA 01331 on

424 Lake Ave, Worcester, MA 01604
- Price: $499,900
- 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,132
- See 424 Lake Ave, Worcester, MA 01604 on

16 Sherwood Rd, Worcester, MA 01602
- Price: $499,900
- 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,118
- See 16 Sherwood Rd, Worcester, MA 01602 on

382 Malden St, Holden, MA 01520
- Price: $499,900
- 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,987
- See 382 Malden St, Holden, MA 01520 on

9 Susan Dr, Dudley, MA 01571
- Price: $499,900
- 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,868
- See 9 Susan Dr, Dudley, MA 01571 on

277 Gorman Rd, Brooklyn, CT 06234
- Price: $499,900
- 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,500
- See 277 Gorman Rd, Brooklyn, CT 06234 on

247 Green Hollow Rd, Killingly, CT 06239
- Price: $499,900
- 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,366
- See 247 Green Hollow Rd, Killingly, CT 06239 on

8 Juniper Ln, Moosup, CT 06354
- Price: $499,900
- 3 bedrooms, 1.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,146
- See 8 Juniper Ln, Moosup, CT 06354 on

45 Fruit St, Leominster, MA 01453
- Price: $500,000
- 3 bedrooms, 1.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,267
- See 45 Fruit St, Leominster, MA 01453 on

199 Center Depot Rd, Charlton, MA 01507
- Price: $500,000
- 3 bedrooms, 1 bathroom
- Square feet: 1,544
- See 199 Center Depot Rd, Charlton, MA 01507 on

55 Central Ave, Paxton, MA 01612
- Price: $499,900
- 3 bedrooms, 1 bathroom
- Square feet: 1,459
- See 55 Central Ave, Paxton, MA 01612 on

74 Crisci St, Leominster, MA 01453
- Price: $499,999
- 3 bedrooms, 1 bathroom
- Square feet: 1,094
- See 74 Crisci St, Leominster, MA 01453 on

337 West St, Lunenburg, MA 01462
- Price: $500,000
- 3 bedrooms, 1 bathroom
- Square feet: 1,050
- See 337 West St, Lunenburg, MA 01462 on

102 Harrington Farms Way, Shrewsbury, MA 01545
- Price: $499,900
- 2 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,566
- See 102 Harrington Farms Way, Shrewsbury, MA 01545 on

11 Hillside Rd, Northborough, MA 01532
- Price: $499,900
- 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,203
- See 11 Hillside Rd, Northborough, MA 01532 on

18 Shore Dr, Spencer, MA 01562
- Price: $499,900
- 2 bedrooms, 1.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,440
- See 18 Shore Dr, Spencer, MA 01562 on

118 Southville Rd, Southborough, MA 01772
- Price: $499,900
- 2 bedrooms, 1.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,170
- See 118 Southville Rd, Southborough, MA 01772 on