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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 Columbia?

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

1145 Baywater Dr, West Columbia, SC 29170
- Price: $499,900
- 7 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms
- Square feet: 4,167
- See 1145 Baywater Dr, West Columbia, SC 29170 on

350 Cabana Way, Lexington, SC 29072
- Price: $499,000
- 5 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,632
- See 350 Cabana Way, Lexington, SC 29072 on

141 Eagle Chase Ct, Chapin, SC 29036
- Price: $499,900
- 5 bedrooms, 4.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 3,904
- See 141 Eagle Chase Ct, Chapin, SC 29036 on

322 Rising Stream Way, Chapin, SC 29036
- Price: $500,000
- 5 bedrooms, 4.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 3,625
- See 322 Rising Stream Way, Chapin, SC 29036 on

269 River Front Dr, Irmo, SC 29063
- Price: $499,900
- 5 bedrooms, 4.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 3,602
- See 269 River Front Dr, Irmo, SC 29063 on

461 Rainbow Shad Way, Lexington, SC 29072
- Price: $499,900
- 5 bedrooms, 4.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 3,393
- See 461 Rainbow Shad Way, Lexington, SC 29072 on

576 Maple Valley Loop, Blythewood, SC 29016
- Price: $500,000
- 5 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms
- Square feet: 3,664
- See 576 Maple Valley Loop, Blythewood, SC 29016 on

825 Hidden Point Dr, Columbia, SC 29229
- Price: $499,900
- 5 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms
- Square feet: 3,181
- See 825 Hidden Point Dr, Columbia, SC 29229 on

601 Cartgate Cir, Blythewood, SC 29016
- Price: $499,500
- 5 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 3,309
- See 601 Cartgate Cir, Blythewood, SC 29016 on

16 Lillifield Dr, Elgin, SC 29045
- Price: $499,900
- 5 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,866
- See 16 Lillifield Dr, Elgin, SC 29045 on

557 Briar Jump Ln, Blythewood, SC 29016
- Price: $499,900
- 5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 3,935
- See 557 Briar Jump Ln, Blythewood, SC 29016 on

137 Southlake Rd, Columbia, SC 29223
- Price: $500,000
- 5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 3,492
- See 137 Southlake Rd, Columbia, SC 29223 on

248 Hackamore Ln, Camden, SC 29020
- Price: $499,900
- 5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 3,249
- See 248 Hackamore Ln, Camden, SC 29020 on

598 Village Church Dr, Chapin, SC 29036
- Price: $500,000
- 5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 3,030
- See 598 Village Church Dr, Chapin, SC 29036 on

502 Harmon St, Lexington, SC 29072
- Price: $499,900
- 5 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,716
- See 502 Harmon St, Lexington, SC 29072 on

201 Hillcrest Dr, Winnsboro, SC 29180
- Price: $499,999
- 4 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,870
- See 201 Hillcrest Dr, Winnsboro, SC 29180 on

2500 Bratton St, Columbia, SC 29205
- Price: $499,999
- 4 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,249
- See 2500 Bratton St, Columbia, SC 29205 on

2506 Bratton St, Columbia, SC 29205
- Price: $499,999
- 4 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,249
- See 2506 Bratton St, Columbia, SC 29205 on

2504 Bratton St, Columbia, SC 29205
- Price: $499,999
- 4 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,249
- See 2504 Bratton St, Columbia, SC 29205 on

2508 Bratton St, Columbia, SC 29205
- Price: $499,999
- 4 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,249
- See 2508 Bratton St, Columbia, SC 29205 on

2502 Bratton St, Columbia, SC 29205
- Price: $499,999
- 4 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,249
- See 2502 Bratton St, Columbia, SC 29205 on

1501 Crossing Creek Rd, Eastover, SC 29044
- Price: $499,000
- 3 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,850
- See 1501 Crossing Creek Rd, Eastover, SC 29044 on

730 Stoneridge Rd, Ridgeway, SC 29130
- Price: $499,999
- 3 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,620
- See 730 Stoneridge Rd, Ridgeway, SC 29130 on

55 Longest Dr, Saint Matthews, SC 29135
- Price: $499,900
- 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 3,160
- See 55 Longest Dr, Saint Matthews, SC 29135 on

900 Michaelmas Ave, Cayce, SC 29033
- Price: $499,900
- 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,532
- See 900 Michaelmas Ave, Cayce, SC 29033 on

118 Clubside Dr, Lexington, SC 29072
- Price: $499,990
- 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,023
- See 118 Clubside Dr, Lexington, SC 29072 on

338 Andrew Corley Rd, Lexington, SC 29072
- Price: $500,000
- 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,909
- See 338 Andrew Corley Rd, Lexington, SC 29072 on

972 Indian Fork Rd, Chapin, SC 29036
- Price: $499,000
- 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,200
- See 972 Indian Fork Rd, Chapin, SC 29036 on

1701 Pinewood Dr, Columbia, SC 29205
- Price: $497,900
- 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,900
- See 1701 Pinewood Dr, Columbia, SC 29205 on

1803 Enoree Ave, Columbia, SC 29205
- Price: $500,000
- 3 bedrooms, 1.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,549
- See 1803 Enoree Ave, Columbia, SC 29205 on