A Third of Young Adults Are Still Living With Their Parents—as Old Taboo Becomes the New Normal Amid Soaring Costs

A record 25.2 million adults under 35 lived with their parents in 2025, representing nearly one in three young adults, according to research from Realtor.com®. This figure surpasses even the pandemic-era count, with a significant portion of these individuals being employed. Hannah Jones, senior economist at Realtor.com and author of the report, stated that approximately 70% of 25- to 34-year-olds residing with their parents are employed, a share that has remained consistent as the overall co-residence rate has increased. This indicates that the rise in adults living at home is driven by working individuals, not solely by those seeking employment.

The data challenges the notion that young adults living at home are unemployed or struggling to find jobs. Instead, it suggests a more complex situation where employment alone is insufficient for financial independence and leaving the parental home. The report highlights that among adults aged 25 to 34 living with their parents, about 7 in 10 are employed. This includes 71% of those aged 25 to 29 and 68% of those aged 30 to 34. Jones attributes this phenomenon to factors such as income levels, debt burdens, or the high cost of housing in their respective markets, which prevent them from moving out despite having jobs.

The trend of co-residence has evolved, with a notable increase in older young adults living at home. While living with parents has historically been more common for younger adults, the current trend extends significantly into the late twenties and early thirties. In 2025, 20.4% of adults aged 25 to 29 lived with their parents, an increase of nearly six percentage points since the beginning of the century. For those aged 30 to 34, the co-residence rate reached 12.7%, indicating a substantial shift in living arrangements for this demographic.