The current housing crisis continues to challenge young adults, driven by housing shortages, job market shifts, and rising costs of living.
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, as of 2025. This figure represents 25.2 million adults under 35 living with their parents in 2025, according to Realtor.com® research.
Moreover, a recent generational report by Realtor.com noted that a paycheck is no longer the clear dividing line between dependence and independence. Many young adults find themselves employed but still unable to afford independent living, highlighting the severity of the economic pressures they face.
Utah’s young adults stay home longer
According to FinanceBuzz, which utilized Census data to map out the percentage of 18- to 34-year-olds living with their parents, 26.80% of young adults in Utah are currently living with their parents. This statistic underscores the significant hurdles faced by a generation striving for autonomy, even when they are employed.
One common thread among states with higher rates of young adults living with parents is their high cost of living, indicating that this trend is largely need-based. Utah’s median home price of $589,911 is considerably higher than the national average, placing it among the more expensive states where independent living is a significant financial stretch. The state’s C+ grade in the 2026 Realtor.com® Housing Report Cards further suggests ongoing challenges in housing affordability and availability.
Conversely, states with lower housing costs, more remote housing options, and generally more space tend to see lower rates of young adults living at home. While some areas, like Puerto Rico, may also have cultural factors promoting multi-generational living, the economic strain in expensive markets like Utah remains a primary driver for young adults delaying independent households.
Housing costs impact Utah’s youth
The national report from Realtor.com provides crucial insights into why so many young adults are living with their parents. A record 25.2 million adults under 35 are living with their parents in 2025, surpassing even the pandemic peak. This represents 33.0% of young adults, a figure close to the all-time high of 33.6% set in 2020. This trend signifies a significant departure from early-2000s co-residence rates, where nearly 5 million fewer young adults would have been living at home.
The primary driver for this shift appears to be escalating housing costs rather than a lack of employment, as 70% of adults aged 25-34 living with parents are employed. The national housing market faces a substantial 4-million-unit supply gap. Median home listing prices have surged to $430,000, a 34% increase from pre-pandemic levels, while median asking rents have climbed 17.9% to $1,673. These financial pressures make independent living increasingly challenging for young adult kids across the country.
This phenomenon is particularly pronounced among college-aged individuals. In 2025, 57.6% of 18-24-year-olds live at home, a rise from 54.6% in 2019 and 52.1% in 2000. This demographic accounts for 17.6 million individuals, approximately 70% of all adults living with parents. The delay in establishing independent households is evident as milestones like university graduation pass. By age 22, 49.3% remain at home, up from 46.1% pre-pandemic. This trend continues, with 35.2% of 24-year-olds still living with parents in 2025, a notable increase from 29.6% in 2019.
“Something about their income level, debt load, or the cost of housing in their market is keeping them home despite steady employment,” said Hannah Jones, senior economist at Realtor.com. Jones added, “The rise in college attendance over the past 25 years likely plays a role too: More widespread student debt may be constraining what an entry-level salary can actually buy in terms of independent living.”
Jones further elaborated on the situation, stating, “The reality is probably two groups. A genuine launchpad cohort with higher incomes and lower debt who will convert to buyers when conditions allow, and a larger group for whom the childhood bedroom is less a runway and more a floor, preventing a worse outcome, but not reliably producing the one they’re aiming for.” This national data highlights a widespread challenge for young adults, likely mirrored in states like Utah, as they navigate an increasingly unaffordable housing market.
Generated with AI assistance and finalized through human editorial oversight by Dina Sartore-Bodo and Gabriella Iannetta.
