10 homes you can buy for $500,000
Half a million dollars can buy a mansion in some markets. In others, not so much.
These homes are more than 2.5 times more expensive than the national median home value of $195,300, as calculated by Zillow. But that doesn't mean you'll get 2.5 times more space.
In San Francisco or New York City, $500,000 doesn't go very far. In these pricey metro areas, you'll find lots of studio condos and co-ops with 400 square feet or less in this price range. However, building amenities like rooftop decks may provide a little more space for the money.
In the middle of the country, on the other hand, buyers can find home in Topeka and Indianapolis with about 6,000 square feet of living space on large lots with amenities like swimming pools, home theaters and three- or four-car garages.
Click ahead to see 10 homes you can buy for $500,000 in cities across the country.
New York, New York
This studio co-op with one bathroom in Manhattan's Gramercy neighborhood is for sale for $500,000. It last sold in February 2013 for $339,000, about 32 percent less than the current price. It is less than half as expensive as the area's median home value of $1,220,900.
New York, New York
The 400-square-foot unit was built in 1961 and has wood floors and stainless steel appliances. Building amenities include a doorman, parking, bike storage, a laundry facility and a rooftop deck.
San Francisco, California
This studio condo with one bathroom in San Francisco's South of Market area is for sale for $499,000. It last sold in November 2015 for $478,000, about 4 percent less than the current price. It is just over half as expensive as the area's median home value of $934,900.
San Francisco, California
The 370-square-foot condo was built in 2012 and has wood floors, a fireplace and a walk-in closet. The building has a shared laundry room and street parking.
Atlanta, Georgia
This five-bedroom, six-bathroom house in Atlanta's Midwest Cascade neighborhood is for sale for $500,000. It last sold in 2006 for $581,400, about 14 percent more than the current price. It is almost four times more expensive than the area's median home value of $125,500.
Atlanta, Georgia
The 4,097-square-foot home was built in 2005 and has a fireplace, walk-in closets, a terrace, home gym, wet bar, home theater room, game room, a three-car garage and a back deck. There's also a community swimming pool and tennis courts.
Chicago, Illinois
This two-bedroom, two-bathroom condo in Chicago's Lincoln Park neighborhood is for sale for about $500,000. It last sold in July 1998 for $231,000, less than half the current price. It is about 20 percent more expensive than the area's median home value of $415,300.
Chicago, Illinois
The 1,380-square-foot unit was built in 1916 and has quartz countertops, built-in shelving, an espresso machine and a steam oven. Building amenities include a 24-hour doorman, a rooftop heated pool, fitness center, party room, basketball and racquetball courts, storage and laundry facilities.
Miami, Florida
This two-bedroom, two-bathroom condo in Miami's Wynwood-Edgewater area is for sale for about $500,000. It last sold in December 2013 for $435,000, about 13 percent less than the current price. It is about 46 percent more expensive than the area's median home value of $341,900.
Miami, Florida
The 1,087-square-foot, 27th-floor unit was built in 2007 and has floor-to-ceiling windows, tile floors, stainless steel appliances, walk-in closets, a balcony and one assigned parking space. Building amenities include a swimming pool, playground and fitness center.
Indianapolis, Indiana
This five-bedroom, five-bathroom house in Indianapolis' Fall Creek neighborhood is for sale for about $500,000. It was built in 1991 and is more than 2.5 times more expensive than the area's median home value of $194,000.
Indianapolis, Indiana
The 5,790-square-foot home sits on a one-acre wooded lot and has a master bedroom with two walk-in closets, hardwood and tile floors, several fireplaces, French doors, a jetted bathtub, a walk-out basement with a game room and built-in bookshelves, a back deck and a three-car garage.
Seattle, Washington
This two-bedroom, one-bathroom house in Seattle's Leschi neighborhood is for sale for about $500,000. It last sold in December 2013 in a foreclosure auction for $264,900, about 47 percent less than the current price. It is about 15 percent less expensive than the area's median home value of $589,300.
Seattle, Washington
The 1,745-square-foot home was built in 1908 and has stainless steel appliances, wood and tile floors, an unfinished basement and a back deck.
Washington, DC
This one-bedroom, one-bathroom condo in Washington, D.C.'s Chinatown neighborhood is for sale for $500,000. It last sold in July 2015 for $435,000, about 13 percent less than the current price. It is about 21 percent less expensive than the area's median home value of $630,900.
Washington, DC
The 684-square-foot condo was built in 2005 and has stone countertops, stainless steel appliances, a walk-in closet and a wine cooler. The building has a doorman, elevator, fitness center and available rental parking.
Topeka, Kansas
This four-bedroom, 4.5-bathroom house in Topeka is for sale for about $470,000. It was built in 2010 and is more than three times more expensive than the area's median home value of $154,800.
Topeka, Kansas
The 5,883-square-foot home sits on a 2.84-acre lot and has a mother-in-law apartment, finished basement, two balconies, bamboo floors, a wet bar, hot tub, swimming pool, fire pit and a four-car garage.
New Orleans, Louisiana
This four-bedroom, 3.5-bathroom home in New Orleans' Audubon neighborhood is for sale for about $500,000. It is about 2 percent more expensive than the area's median home value of $488,200.
New Orleans, Louisiana
The 2,750-square-foot house was built in 1921 and has a partial basement, hardwood floors, a fireplace, a jetted tub, a walk-in closet and a fenced backyard.