economy
Not so empty nesters: record-high number of US adults under 35 live at home, new data says
Data shows that the increase in at-home living stems from high housing costs rather than labor market conditions
TL;DR
- A record 25.2 million US adults aged 25-35 lived with their parents in 2025.
- High housing costs, not labor market conditions, are the primary driver of this trend.
- National median asking rent is 18% higher than pre-pandemic, and home listing prices are 34% higher.
- This co-residence pattern has increased significantly since the early 2000s.
- Young adults are delaying first-time homeownership, with the typical buyer now aged 40.
- The trend also affects parents, potentially delaying retirement and impacting savings.
- Reduced engagement with the starter home market tightens supply and exacerbates affordable housing struggles.
- Inflation reaching a three-year high further delays prospects of moving out.