1 in 3 Early-Career Professionals Live With Parents

The cost of independence is rising, and young professionals are paying it in square footage. Zety’s latest 2025 Boomerang Kids Report reveals how economic pressure and shifting social norms have driven many early-career workers back into their childhood bedrooms.

Surveying over 1,000 young adults aged 18–33, the report found that 35% have previously lived with their parents after starting their career, and another 34% are currently living at home. High rent/housing costs (62%) and inadequate salary (38%) are the top reasons. 

Key findings:

• Nearly half of young workers (45%) are not living independently. 34% are living with parents and 11% with other relatives (11%).
• 78% know at least one person aged 33 or younger who had to move back in with their parents after starting their career.
• 55% believe living at home as an adult hurts their workplace credibility.
• 43% fear it could block a promotion.
• 37% say they wouldn’t feel comfortable telling coworkers or managers they live at home.

A Generation Redefining Adulthood

Zety’s data shows how the youngest members of the workforce are rewriting what it means to “make it”—financially, professionally, and emotionally.

Current living situation:

• 34% live with their parents.
• 11% live with other relatives.
• 55% live independently (alone or with roommates/partner).

Nearly half of young workers are living with family rather than independently. In addition, 78% know at least one person aged 33 or younger who moved back in with their parents after starting their career. 

What this means: Adulthood is increasingly viewed through the lens of adaptability. As traditional milestones of adulthood shift, stability is taking precedence over appearances.

Boomerang Generation: What’s Driving Young Professionals Home?

Financial strain is a major factor in why young adults move back in with their family, fueling the rise of “boomerang kids.” Respondents cited these as the top reasons:

• High rent or housing costs (62%)
• Salary does not cover basic living expenses (38%)
• Saving money for a major goal (home, travel, education) (27%)Enjoys living with family (26%)
• Lost a job or unable to find one (25%)
• Paying off student loans or other debt (20%)
• Needs emotional or family support (20%)
• Dealing with health challenges (18%)
• Ended a relationship (16%)

What this means: For many early-career workers, living with family is less about comfort and more about necessity. This trend reflects a generation adapting to financial constraints while still pursuing long-term personal and professional goals.

The Professional Impact of Moving Home

Living at home can be viewed negatively, as many young adults worry it may affect credibility and advancement in the workplace:

• 55% believe living at home as an adult hurts their chances of being taken seriously.
• 37% wouldn’t feel comfortable telling coworkers or a manager that they live at home.
• 43% think it could prevent them from getting a promotion.

What this means: Despite being a practical decision, Gen Z living with parents still carry professional risks. The tension between financial prudence and perceived immaturity highlights how workplace culture hasn’t yet caught up with today’s economic pressures.

Trend Toward Normalizing Boomerang Living

While 70% of young adults acknowledge there’s still a stigma, returning home is becoming more accepted among early-career professionals:

• 34% believe living at home is smart and financially responsible.
• 58% view it as a temporary or practical step rather than a setback.
• 76% say it is becoming more normal for peers in their age group.

What this means: Attitudes toward multigenerational living are evolving. What was once seen as a setback is increasingly viewed as a smart, short-term adjustment to rising costs—signaling a cultural shift toward financial realism among young adults.

For press inquiries, contact Skyler Acevedo, public relations specialist, at skyler.acevedo@bold.com.

Methodology

The findings presented are based on a nationally representative survey conducted by Zety using Pollfish on September 15, 2025. The survey collected responses from 1,002 U.S. adults between the ages of 18 and 33 to understand their living arrangements, career stage, financial pressures, and perceptions of workplace credibility. Respondents answered different types of questions, including yes/no; scale-based questions, where they indicated their level of agreement with statements; and multiple-choice, where they could select from a list of provided options. The sample consisted of 53% female and 47% male respondents, with 28% aged 18–22, 35% aged 23–28, and 37% aged 29–33.

About Zety

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