LIFESTYLE

United States young adults increasingly live with parents

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United States — A record number of Americans aged 18 to 34 are living with their parents, reaching a new peak in 2025, according to a June Realtor.com report based on U.S. Census data. More than 25 million adults under 35 now reside in the parental home, meaning roughly one in three young adults lives with parents. The share remained well below 30% in the early 2000s, rose during the Great Recession, and spiked again in the COVID-19 pandemic, when many younger adults moved home to ride out quarantines and avoid big-city crowds. United States — The report finds that the recent increase is now driven primarily by the cost of living independently. The median home lists for about $430,000, up 34% from 2019, while the median asking rent has climbed 18% to $1,673, making homeownership and renting feel out of reach for many Gen Z and millennial adults who say they still want to move out. Although the arrangement can carry a stigma as a sign of delayed adulthood, most under-35 adults living with parents are working: among those aged 25 to 34 who cohabit with parents, seven in ten are employed.

Prepared by Emily Rhodes and reviewed by editorial team.

Timeline of Events

Early 2000s Share living with parents below 30 percent
2008–2009 Great Recession pushes co-residence upward
2020 COVID-19 pandemic accelerates moves home
2019 Baseline home prices and rents lower
2023–2024 Housing costs continue climbing nationally
June 2025 Realtor.com analyzes new Census figures
2025 Over 25 million under-35s live with parents
2025 One in three 18-to-34-year-olds co-resides

Why This Matters to You

This trend affects your family and community. If you're a parent of a young adult, you might need to plan for a longer nest period. If you're a young adult, you're not alone in this struggle. Check local resources for housing assistance or financial planning help.

The Bottom Line

The American dream of independence is getting pricier. High housing costs are keeping young adults at home longer, despite employment. This isn't about laziness, it's about affordability. Worth forwarding if you know a young adult navigating this tough housing market.