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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 Reading?

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

4660 Dunham Dr, Reading, PA 19606
- Price: $495,000
- 5 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 3,499
- See 4660 Dunham Dr, Reading, PA 19606 on

3804 Wyoming Dr S, Reading, PA 19608
- Price: $459,900
- 5 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,614
- See 3804 Wyoming Dr S, Reading, PA 19608 on

32 Minotto Ln, Douglassville, PA 19518
- Price: $499,900
- 5 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,295
- See 32 Minotto Ln, Douglassville, PA 19518 on

237 Endlich Ave, Reading, PA 19606
- Price: $499,000
- 4 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 5,432
- See 237 Endlich Ave, Reading, PA 19606 on

16 Golfview Ln, Reading, PA 19606
- Price: $495,000
- 4 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 4,228
- See 16 Golfview Ln, Reading, PA 19606 on

2409 Andrew Ct, Reading, PA 19608
- Price: $475,000
- 4 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,981
- See 2409 Andrew Ct, Reading, PA 19608 on

1339 Monroe Ave, Reading, PA 19610
- Price: $498,000
- 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 3,350
- See 1339 Monroe Ave, Reading, PA 19610 on

37 Sycamore Dr, Reading, PA 19606
- Price: $489,000
- 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 3,209
- See 37 Sycamore Dr, Reading, PA 19606 on

200 Dithridge, Birdsboro, PA 19508
- Price: $499,990
- 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 3,133
- See 200 Dithridge, Birdsboro, PA 19508 on

Beacon Pointe Plan At Ontelaunee Hts, Blandon, PA 19510
- Price: $477,990
- 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,772
- See Beacon Pointe Plan At Ontelaunee Hts, Blandon, PA 19510 on

731 W Main St, Leesport, PA 19533
- Price: $469,900
- 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,771
- See 731 W Main St, Leesport, PA 19533 on

2 Jennifer Ct, Reading, PA 19608
- Price: $454,900
- 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,630
- See 2 Jennifer Ct, Reading, PA 19608 on

105 Sianna Cir, Wernersville, PA 19565
- Price: $459,900
- 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,428
- See 105 Sianna Cir, Wernersville, PA 19565 on

Blue Ridge Plan At Ontelaunee Hts, Blandon, PA 19510
- Price: $457,990
- 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,420
- See Blue Ridge Plan At Ontelaunee Hts, Blandon, PA 19510 on

1432 Frush Valley Rd, Reading, PA 19605
- Price: $459,900
- 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,410
- See 1432 Frush Valley Rd, Reading, PA 19605 on

26 Bent Brook Cir, Reading, PA 19606
- Price: $475,000
- 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,348
- See 26 Bent Brook Cir, Reading, PA 19606 on

181 Austrian Dr, Blandon, PA 19510
- Price: $489,990
- 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,263
- See 181 Austrian Dr, Blandon, PA 19510 on

2452 Ventnor Ave, Reading, PA 19605
- Price: $469,990
- 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,103
- See 2452 Ventnor Ave, Reading, PA 19605 on

1315 Cleveland Ave, Reading, PA 19610
- Price: $489,900
- 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,074
- See 1315 Cleveland Ave, Reading, PA 19610 on

4312 Stoudts Ferry Bridge Rd, Reading, PA 19605
- Price: $465,000
- 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,882
- See 4312 Stoudts Ferry Bridge Rd, Reading, PA 19605 on

64 Clover Dr, Myerstown, PA 17067
- Price: $498,495
- 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,975
- See 64 Clover Dr, Myerstown, PA 17067 on

Brindlee Plan At Ontelaunee Hts, Blandon, PA
- Price: $460,990
- 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,294
- See Brindlee Plan At Ontelaunee Hts, Blandon, PA on

27 Clover Dr, Myerstown, PA 17067
- Price: $470,999
- 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,006
- See 27 Clover Dr, Myerstown, PA 17067 on

5018 Mifflin Dr, Mohnton, PA 19540
- Price: $495,000
- 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,334
- See 5018 Mifflin Dr, Mohnton, PA 19540 on

100 Dithridge Dr, Birdsboro, PA 19508
- Price: $462,990
- 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,346
- See 100 Dithridge Dr, Birdsboro, PA 19508 on

21 Sunny Ridge Ct, Kutztown, PA 19530
- Price: $460,000
- 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,044
- See 21 Sunny Ridge Ct, Kutztown, PA 19530 on

60 Clover Dr, Myerstown, PA 17067
- Price: $474,625
- 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,642
- See 60 Clover Dr, Myerstown, PA 17067 on

72 Clover Dr, Myerstown, PA 17067
- Price: $472,436
- 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,412
- See 72 Clover Dr, Myerstown, PA 17067 on