States Where Young Adults Are Most Likely to Live at Home — California and New Jersey Top the List

This post may contain affiliate links.

Where you live is starting to matter just as much as how much you earn when it comes to moving out.

Across the U.S., more young adults are staying at home longer, but the trend isn’t evenly spread. In some states, living with your parents has become almost expected, not by choice but because of cost.

New data from Finance Buzz shows that nearly one in three adults aged 18 to 34 now live with their parents nationwide. But in certain parts of the country, that number climbs much higher, revealing just how much location shapes the reality of modern adulthood.

The States Where Living at Home Is Most Common

Some states stand out immediately.

New Jersey tops the list, with 44.1% of young adults living at home, followed closely by Connecticut at 41.3%. California ranks among the highest as well, with 39.1% of adults aged 18 to 34 living with their parents.

In these states, living at home isn’t unusual; it’s increasingly the norm.

The pattern is hard to ignore. These are some of the most expensive places to live in the country, where high rent prices and competitive housing markets make moving out significantly more difficult.

Related: If a fence falls between neighbors in California, who is responsible for repairs?

The Cost of Location

Housing affordability is at the center of this trend.

In states like California and New Jersey, even entry-level rent can take up a large portion of a young adult’s income. Add in student loans, everyday expenses, and slower wage growth, and the path to independent living becomes far less simple.

For many, staying at home offers a practical solution, a way to save money, build stability, or simply avoid the financial strain of living alone.

This isn’t about reluctance to leave. It’s about the reality of what leaving costs.

Where Moving Out Is Still More Accessible

At the other end of the spectrum, some states tell a very different story.

North Dakota, for example, has one of the lowest rates, with just 12.3% of young adults living at home. Wyoming and South Dakota also fall well below the national average.

These states tend to have lower housing costs, more available space, and less pressure on rental markets.

The contrast highlights just how tied this trend is to affordability. Where housing is more accessible, independence tends to come earlier.

Related: How to Downsize and Declutter Without Regret and Still Keep Sentimental Items

A Growing Divide Across the Country

What’s emerging is a geographic divide in how young adulthood looks.

In high-cost states, living at home has become part of the expected timeline. In more affordable regions, the traditional path of moving out in your early twenties is still more attainable.

This divide is shaping not just living arrangements, but long-term financial outcomes. Those able to stay home may save more quickly, while those who move out earlier often face higher ongoing costs.

Other Posts You Might Like

• 13 Foods Frugal People Leave Off Their Grocery Lists
• 20 Frugal Ways to Stay Warm Without Cranking Up the Heat
• I Cut My Grocery Bill in Half Using These 16 Simple Shopping Tips
• Items You Should Be Extra Careful About Buying Used
• 18 Thrifty Ways to Make Your Groceries Last Longer