Affordability Concerns Keep More Young Adults in Their Parents’ Homes

Affordability Concerns Keep More Young Adults in Their Parents’ Homes

A growing share of young adults are remaining in their parents’ homes, a trend that could shape future demand for both apartments and single-family housing as affordability challenges persist across many states, according to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB).

Using the latest available Census Bureau data, NAHB reports that 32.5% of U.S. adults ages 18 to 34 lived with their parents in 2024, up from 31.8% in 2023. While the share remains below the pre-pandemic peak of 34.5% in 2017, it highlights the ongoing financial pressures facing younger households. States where renters spend 30% or more of their income on housing tend to have the highest rates of young adults living at home.

Coastal and northeastern states show some of the highest concentrations, including New Jersey at 44%, Connecticut at 41%, California at 39%, and Maryland at 38%. By contrast, North Dakota has the lowest share at 12%, followed by South Dakota at 18%.

“The elevated shares of young adults living with parents in high-cost coastal areas and booming southern markets underscore the role of housing affordability in driving this trend,” NAHB research analyst Natalia Siniavskaia wrote. “Statistical analysis confirms a clear link between prohibitively expensive housing, especially rentals, and the high prevalence of young adults residing with their parents.”