Full Nesters: 1 in 3 Young Adults Live With Their Parents [Study]

According to the most recent Census figures, 33% of young adults aged 18-34 live with their parents, nearing the historic highs seen during the COVID-19 pandemic. But why is it rising, and where is it rising the fastest?

To find out, our research team analyzed housing data from all 50 states and reviewed historical trends from the U.S. Census Bureau for adults aged 18 to 34. The analysis revealed that this rise shows no signs of slowing, and revealed interesting regional trends in the living situations of young Americans.

Key Findings

• Nearly one in three 18- to 34-year-olds live with their parents, nearing pandemic-era levels (33.6% in 2020).
• This rate has been increasing every decade since the 1960s.
• Men aged 25 to 34 are significantly more likely than women to live with their parents (19.2% versus 13.6%, respectively).
• New Jersey, Connecticut, and California had the highest rates of adults living with their parents, with New Jersey and Connecticut coming in at over 40%.
• Cultural trends: Though not technically a state, Puerto Rico has extremely high rates of adults living with parents (57.5%).
• Young people aged 25 to 34 are living with parents at more than double the rate that they were in the 1970s.
  

The rise of young adults living at home (1960-2025)

Living with parents is not new, but it is far more common today than in prior generations. Here's how the numbers have shifted in recent years:

The 2020 pandemic spike marked one of the highest levels of adult children living with their parents in modern history (33.58%), driven by job losses, campus shutdowns, and economic uncertainty.

18- to 34-year-olds who live with their parents across the decades

In 1960, just 22.5% of young adults aged 18 to 34 lived at home, compared to 33% today. Through the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s, the rate generally hovered in the mid-to-high 20% range, but began accelerating sharply in the 2000s, especially following the Great Recession.

Even after the labor market rebounded, the percentage of adults living with parents has remained well above levels seen in the early 2000s.

How many adults still live with their parents?

The likelihood of living at home declines with age, but remains significant even into one's early 30s. While it's more common to live with your parents immediately after college (or while attending it), rates drop significantly after age 25.

Interestingly, nearly one in five men aged 25 to 34 still live at home, compared to about one in seven women. This gap is consistent with longer-term Census trends showing men are more likely to stay at home for longer.

States where adult children live with their parents most frequently

The percentage of adults living with parents varies dramatically by state, but some trends emerge, specifically related to housing prices.

Top states for adults aged 18 to 34 living at home

1. Puerto Rico: 57.5% of 18- to 34-year-olds living at home
2. New Jersey: 44.1%
3. Connecticut: 41.3%
4. California: 39.1%
5. Maryland: 38.5%
6. Florida: 36.6%
7. New Hampshire: 36.5%
8. New York: 35.9%
9. Massachusetts: 35.7%
10. Illinois / Nevada: 35.1%
    

One common thread among the top states? They're all expensive, indicating the trend is more need-based. Of note, some of these places, especially Puerto Rico, may also have cultural trends that promote staying at home for longer.

States where adults are least likely to live with their parents

On the opposite end of the spectrum, some states with lower housing costs, more remote housing options, and generally more space tend to see lower rates.

1. North Dakota: 12.3%
2. District of Columbia: 13.3%
3. Wyoming: 16.2%
4. South Dakota: 17.7%
5. Nebraska: 20.4%
   

Of note, rates in these states are less than one-third the rate of some of the states at the top of the list.

Why are more adults living with their parents?

Several factors contribute to this trend, but ultimately, it has to do with money. Some primary contributors include:

• Housing cost increases in the last two decades, specifically near-record highs for rent prices in major cities across the country
• Student loan debt
• Wage growth not keeping up with inflation
• Job market instability, particularly with tech jobs, which younger people seek more frequently

Specifically, compared to their parents' generation, housing prices are significantly higher relative to incomes, leading many young people to stay rent-free as long as possible as a means of creating more impactful savings.

What does this mean for parents and retirees?

The rise in young adults living at home reflects broader affordability pressures in the U.S. economy, but their actions affect their parents as well. More children at home usually means increased costs at home, so the financial burden for older Americans is greater than ever. Depending on their age, this may affect retirees and those on Social Security disproportionately.

Though the housing market shows no signs of becoming less challenging for young adults, that doesn't mean parents can't help their kids make better financial choices. Need a place to start? Check out some of our editors' suggestions.

• Encourage your kids to save aggressively. Picking the right bank for your child helps to keep their money safe, and allows it to grow as they do. While young people may not have established credit, there are plenty of banks that don't require a credit check. Additionally, picking a quality savings account can help your child's money accrue interest while they save.
• Use a rewards credit card. A good cash back credit card can help you make the most of every purchase, especially on things like food and household expenses that may add up with more people in the home.
• Find ways to make some extra cash. Finding a side hustle can help your kids pay for extras around the house, contribute to shared expenses, or just allow them to put more in their savings. Those savings can one day be used as a down payment or toward a new living situation.

Full state-by-state results

Percentage of adults aged 18 to 34 living with their parents

Methodology

To compile the report above, our Research Team at FinanceBuzz analyzed U.S. Census Bureau data from 1960 through 2025 to determine the share of young adults living in a parental household. State-level data reflects the percentage of adults ages 18 to 34 residing with their parents per the 2024 American Community Survey (ACS).

Percentages shown reflect the most recent available Census estimates.

 

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