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 standard 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 rising, affordability keeps dropping, and starter homes are becoming harder to find as home values climb. This has created a very sluggish and difficult housing market. In fact, even the usual busy spring and summer buying seasons were unusually slow 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, Redfin Real Estate 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 Redfin.com

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 Redfin.com

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 Redfin.com

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 Redfin.com

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 Redfin.com

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 Redfin.com

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 Redfin.com

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 Redfin.com

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

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 Redfin.com

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 Redfin.com

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 Redfin.com

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 Redfin.com

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 Redfin.com

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 Redfin.com

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 Redfin.com

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 Redfin.com

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 Redfin.com

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 Redfin.com

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 Redfin.com

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 Redfin.com

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 Redfin.com

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 Redfin.com

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 Redfin.com

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 Redfin.com

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 Redfin.com

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 Redfin.com

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 Redfin.com

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