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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 Olympia?

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

6580 Elm St Se, Tumwater, WA 98501
- Price: $499,900
- 5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,966
- See 6580 Elm St Se, Tumwater, WA 98501 on

7105 33Rd Ave Ne, Lacey, WA 98516
- Price: $499,000
- 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,502
- See 7105 33Rd Ave Ne, Lacey, WA 98516 on

9140 Carys St Se, Yelm, WA 98597
- Price: $499,000
- 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,379
- See 9140 Carys St Se, Yelm, WA 98597 on

123 171St Ave Se, Tenino, WA 98589
- Price: $499,900
- 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,362
- See 123 171St Ave Se, Tenino, WA 98589 on

2304 Cooper Crest Pl Nw, Olympia, WA 98502
- Price: $499,000
- 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,068
- See 2304 Cooper Crest Pl Nw, Olympia, WA 98502 on

741 G St Sw, Tumwater, WA 98512
- Price: $499,500
- 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,004
- See 741 G St Sw, Tumwater, WA 98512 on

4201 Mckinley St Ne, Lacey, WA 98516
- Price: $499,000
- 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,054
- See 4201 Mckinley St Ne, Lacey, WA 98516 on

932 Tipsoo Loop N, Rainier, WA 98576
- Price: $499,000
- 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,039
- See 932 Tipsoo Loop N, Rainier, WA 98576 on

7337 Radius Loop Se, Lacey, WA 98513
- Price: $499,900
- 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,024
- See 7337 Radius Loop Se, Lacey, WA 98513 on

5215 58Th Ave Se, Olympia, WA 98513
- Price: $499,000
- 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,969
- See 5215 58Th Ave Se, Olympia, WA 98513 on

5003 Madison Heights Ct Se, Olympia, WA 98501
- Price: $499,950
- 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,873
- See 5003 Madison Heights Ct Se, Olympia, WA 98501 on

513 Hidden Forest Dr Se, Olympia, WA 98513
- Price: $499,900
- 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,812
- See 513 Hidden Forest Dr Se, Olympia, WA 98513 on

3005 Powder Ridge St Se, Olympia, WA 98501
- Price: $499,950
- 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,766
- See 3005 Powder Ridge St Se, Olympia, WA 98501 on

9744 Hay St Se, Yelm, WA 98597
- Price: $499,900
- 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,343
- See 9744 Hay St Se, Yelm, WA 98597 on

9739 Hay St Se, Yelm, WA 98597
- Price: $499,900
- 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,343
- See 9739 Hay St Se, Yelm, WA 98597 on

4544 Durham St Se, Lacey, WA 98503
- Price: $500,000
- 3 bedrooms, 2.3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,066
- See 4544 Durham St Se, Lacey, WA 98503 on

3353 Nova St Ne, Lacey, WA 98516
- Price: $500,000
- 3 bedrooms, 2.3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,572
- See 3353 Nova St Ne, Lacey, WA 98516 on

6628 Carolina St Se, Olympia, WA 98513
- Price: $498,000
- 3 bedrooms, 2.3 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,556
- See 6628 Carolina St Se, Olympia, WA 98513 on

6112 Thornbury Ct Se, Lacey, WA 98513
- Price: $499,000
- 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,332
- See 6112 Thornbury Ct Se, Lacey, WA 98513 on

5645 Lento Pl Se, Olympia, WA 98513
- Price: $499,900
- 3 bedrooms, 1.8 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,912
- See 5645 Lento Pl Se, Olympia, WA 98513 on

310 Y St Sw, Tumwater, WA 98501
- Price: $499,900
- 3 bedrooms, 1.8 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,800
- See 310 Y St Sw, Tumwater, WA 98501 on

9209 Candytuft Dr Se, Olympia, WA 98501
- Price: $499,950
- 3 bedrooms, 1.8 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,730
- See 9209 Candytuft Dr Se, Olympia, WA 98501 on

3615 Ryan St Se, Lacey, WA 98503
- Price: $495,000
- 3 bedrooms, 1.8 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,602
- See 3615 Ryan St Se, Lacey, WA 98503 on

4509 29Th Ct Se, Lacey, WA 98503
- Price: $499,900
- 3 bedrooms, 1.8 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,497
- See 4509 29Th Ct Se, Lacey, WA 98503 on

12909 Silver Creek Dr, Tenino, WA 98589
- Price: $499,000
- 3 bedrooms, 1.8 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,480
- See 12909 Silver Creek Dr, Tenino, WA 98589 on

1714 Ann St Ne, Olympia, WA 98506
- Price: $499,000
- 3 bedrooms, 1.8 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,382
- See 1714 Ann St Ne, Olympia, WA 98506 on

3246 78Th Ave Se, Olympia, WA 98501
- Price: $499,000
- 3 bedrooms, 1.5 bathrooms
- Square feet: 1,400
- See 3246 78Th Ave Se, Olympia, WA 98501 on

2626 Hilltop Ct Sw, Olympia, WA 98512
- Price: $500,000
- 2 bedrooms, 1.8 bathrooms
- Square feet: 2,146
- See 2626 Hilltop Ct Sw, Olympia, WA 98512 on

236 Milroy St Nw, Olympia, WA 98502
- Price: $499,000
- 2 bedrooms, 1.8 bathrooms
- Square feet: 940
- See 236 Milroy St Nw, Olympia, WA 98502 on

1124 Pear St Ne, Olympia, WA 98506
- Price: $500,000
- 2 bedrooms, 0.8 bathrooms
- Square feet: 901
- See 1124 Pear St Ne, Olympia, WA 98506 on