For millions of young adults, the transition into independent living is happening later and later. High housing costs, rising living expenses, and a cooling job market are pushing many 20- and early-30-somethings to delay moving out of their parents’ homes, or in some cases move in – fundamentally altering the picture of adulthood in the United States.
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Delayed household formation is also reshaping life for parents. As more households span multiple generations, many U.S. adults are finding themselves in what experts term the “sandwich generation” – a cohort of Americans supporting aging parents while simultaneously housing and assisting their adult children. Rising caregiving responsibilities and economic pressures have made multigenerational living a financial necessity for a growing share of U.S. households, blurring traditional boundaries between life stages.
The places where the most young adults live at home are a mix of states with high housing costs and high unemployment. In New York City – where the average rent for a one-bedroom is about $4,000 – 34.9% of adults 18 to 34 years old live with their parents, among the most of any metro area. And while rent is comparatively low in Detroit, high unemployment in the city may partially explain why 40.0% of young adults live with their parents. Several major cities in California struggle with both unaffordable housing and high unemployment. A closer look at the data reveals the places where the most young adults live with their parents.
To determine the places where the most young adults live with their parents, Nifty 50+ reviewed five-year data on living arrangements from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2023 American Community Survey. States were ranked based on the percentage of adults 18 to 34 years old living with their parents. Supplemental data on median home value is also from the U.S. Census Bureau. Data on unemployment is from the U.S. Census Bureau.
10. Delaware
– Adults 18 to 34 years old living with parents: 35.5%
– Adults 18 to 34 years old living alone: 8.1%
– Unemployment rate, Aug. 2025: 4.3%
– Median home value: $326,800
9. Mississippi
– Adults 18 to 34 years old living with parents: 36.0%
– Adults 18 to 34 years old living alone: 8.1%
– Unemployment rate, Aug. 2025: 3.9%
– Median home value: $161,400
8. Florida
– Adults 18 to 34 years old living with parents: 36.1%
– Adults 18 to 34 years old living alone: 7.8%
– Unemployment rate, Aug. 2025: 3.8%
– Median home value: $325,000
7. New Hampshire
– Adults 18 to 34 years old living with parents: 36.3%
– Adults 18 to 34 years old living alone: 6.9%
– Unemployment rate, Aug. 2025: 3.0%
– Median home value: $367,200
6. Rhode Island
– Adults 18 to 34 years old living with parents: 36.5%
– Adults 18 to 34 years old living alone: 8.4%
– Unemployment rate, Aug. 2025: 4.6%
– Median home value: $368,800
5. Maryland
– Adults 18 to 34 years old living with parents: 37.7%
– Adults 18 to 34 years old living alone: 8.4%
– Unemployment rate, Aug. 2025: 3.6%
– Median home value: $397,700
4. New York
– Adults 18 to 34 years old living with parents: 38.0%
– Adults 18 to 34 years old living alone: 8.8%
– Unemployment rate, Aug. 2025: 4.0%
– Median home value: $403,000
3. California
– Adults 18 to 34 years old living with parents: 39.2%
– Adults 18 to 34 years old living alone: 6.0%
– Unemployment rate, Aug. 2025: 5.5%
– Median home value: $695,400
2. Connecticut
– Adults 18 to 34 years old living with parents: 40.4%
– Adults 18 to 34 years old living alone: 8.4%
– Unemployment rate, Aug. 2025: 3.8%
– Median home value: $343,200
1. New Jersey
– Adults 18 to 34 years old living with parents: 43.9%
– Adults 18 to 34 years old living alone: 6.7%
– Unemployment rate, Aug. 2025: 5.0%
– Median home value: $427,600
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