Adults Living at Home - By the Numbers

How many adult children live with their parents?

Let’s start with the data. The figures vary depending on age range, definition (“living with parents” vs “multigenerational household”) and source, but several recent studies give a consistent picture of elevated levels of young adults remaining in or returning to the parental home.

Key statistics

According to the Pew Research Center, 57% of those aged 18-24 were living with a parent in 2023, up from 53% in 1993. Pew Research Center+2Pew Research Center+2
Among adults ages 25-34, around 18% were living in a parent’s home in 2023. Pew Research Center+2Pew Research Center+2
The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) estimated that in 2022 the share of 25-34 year‐olds living with parents or parents-in-law was 19.1%, translating into ~8.5 million young adults in that situation. National Association of Home Builders
According to the Federal Reserve “Economic Well-Being of U.S. Households” report, 18% of all adults (across all age groups) lived with their parents in the most recent data. Federal Reserve
Multigenerational households (which include adult children living with parents) reached 59.7 million people in March 2021, or about 18% of the U.S. population. Pew Research Center

So: while the term “adult children living at home” covers a broad range of ages and contexts, the weight of evidence indicates that a non‐trivial share of young adults (especially those in their 20s through early 30s) remain in the parental home, more so than previous generations.

Why are adult children staying (or returning) at home?

The “why” is multifaceted. Here are the main drivers, based on research.

1. Economic pressures: housing, debt and wages

High housing costs make independent living more difficult for many young adults. For example, one analysis found that by living with parents, a young adult could save about $6,400 per year on housing and utilities. cnbc.com+1
Student-loan burdens and slower real wage growth have eroded financial flexibility for many in their 20s and 30s. For instance, a savings/study highlighted that among adult children living at home, average contributions to household expenses were modest (e.g., ~$186/month) and many did not contribute at all. Savings.com+1
The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated some of these trends — e.g., in mid‐2020, 52% of young adults aged 18-29 lived with a parent, up from 47% in February of the same year. Pew Research Center

2. Delayed transitions: marriage, children and career

Young adults today are more likely to postpone marriage or having children, and to stay longer in education or lower-wage job phases. For example, among ages 25-29, the share having a child in their household in 2023 was 21%, compared with 60% in 1993. Pew Research Center
With fewer of the “traditional” adult milestones (marriage, children, home purchase) happening as early as in previous generations, it makes sense that the “nest” remains longer.

3. Cultural and demographic factors

Some ethnic and immigrant populations are more likely to live in multigenerational arrangements. For example, the increase in multigenerational households between 1971-2021 is driven in part by demographic change. Pew Research Center
Regional variation: metro areas differ significantly. In 2023, some metros had ~33% of 25-34 year-olds living with parents (e.g., in California) versus as low as ~3% in other areas. Pew Research Center

4. Parents’ and adult children’s mutual considerations

According to Pew, among adult children living with parents, 64% said the arrangement had a positive impact on their personal finances, and 55% said it had a positive impact on their relationship with their parents. Pew Research Center
From the parents’ side, 45% said the living-together arrangement was “very positive” for their relationship with the child; however, 18% said it was negative for their finances. Pew Research Center

Implications and considerations

This trend has implications for families, for the housing market, and for society.

For families

Living together can ease financial strain for the young adult and allow for cost sharing. The adult child may build savings or pay down loans while avoiding high rent.
But it can also create tension: reports show that adult children living with parents are more likely to say the situation is “stressful” compared with older adult children or parents. Pew Research Center
Parents may face postponed retirement savings or increased financial burden. For example, one report found more than 60% of parents said they had sacrificed their own financial security to support adult children. cnbc.com

For housing and the economy

If more young adults delay forming independent households, this affects demand for rentals, first‐time home buying, and the broader housing market. The NAHB noted that even though the share of 25-34 year olds living with parents has dropped from its peak, it remains elevated compared to two decades ago (~19% now vs <12% then) and equates to 8.5 million young adults in parental homes. National Association of Home Builders
Because household formation is slower, there may be ripple effects in home construction, rental turnover, and housing affordability.

For social dynamics

The “empty-nest” stage of life is shifting for many parents. The assumption that adult kids will move out in their early/mid 20s is less reliable now.
Adult children living at home can be seen either as a pragmatic response to economic conditions, or (in some stereotypes) as a sign of delayed “launching.” The data indicate the former is more accurate: many adult children cite finances and debt rather than lack of ambition.

Some key takeaways

Roughly one in five (≈18 %) of U.S. adults ages 25-34 live with a parent (as of 2023) per Pew.
Over half of those aged 18-24 live with a parent (~57 %).
The drivers lean heavily toward economic and demographic shifts, not simply personal choice or “failure” to leave home.
The trend has notable consequences for housing, family finances and societal expectations around adulthood.

HOME

Adult Child still living at home?