Why three young adults moved back in with their parents

A 2025 Pew Research study found that in 2023, 18% of adults ages 25 to 34 lived with their parents. Rising costs, student-loan debt, and a shortage of affordable homes have made independent living harder for many young Americans. In cities such as Miami, housing is especially expensive: Zillow data shows the average rent in the city was $3,200 as of June, more than $1,000 above the nationwide average of $2,003.

Keara Callahan moved back to her parents in Northern Virginia after a breakup in 2023. She had been living in Miami and working remotely as a government tech consultant; her pay was good but not enough to make solo living in that city feel feasible. "At that time, I was 25, and I thought moving back home would be embarrassing," she said, but saving on rent let her build a financial cushion, quit her job, travel across Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and Latin America, and plan a return to Miami with enough savings to afford an apartment on her own.

United States, Miami, Northern Virginia

pew research, young adults, parental home, student loans, affordable homes, housing costs, miami rent, zillow data, northern virginia, remote work