Millennials are increasingly struggling to swing high housing costs and returning to their childhood bedrooms or basements.
The number of Americans aged 25–34 living at home has jumped over 87% in the past two decades, according to census data.
Younger generations may be staying home to save on expenses like rent or a future down payment, says Adina Dragos, research analyst at RentCafe, an apartment search website.
More millennials could also be choosing to care for family members, said Dragos.
Sharon Wilson’s 29-year-old son and her wife live in her remodeled basement apartment in southern Minnesota.
“The plan is for me to downsize and move downstairs, and they take over the upstairs” as they start a family, says Wilson, who tells Axios she’s grateful to have family close after her husband died.
Commerce City, Colorado, parent Greg Francis has two Gen Z adults at home: a college student and a recent graduate.
“He’s way ahead of where I was at his age,” Francis says of his older son, who pays a small rent but uses the bulk of his paychecks to pay down student debt and invest.
The younger brother is staying home to avoid racking up student debt, and he’ll continue living there after graduation.
Parents continue to be involved with their children’s lives into adulthood.
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