A growing number of early-career Americans are moving back in with their parents as high living costs and low salaries strain financial independence, according to Zety’s 2025 Boomerang Kids Report. Surveying over 1,000 adults aged 18–33, the report exposes the economic pressures reshaping the lives of the youngest workers.
Financial Pressure Drives Boomerang Living
Almost eight out of ten young adults know someone 33 or younger who had to move back home after starting work.
The report found that 35% of young professionals at one point had returned to their childhood bedrooms after starting their careers. 34% of the surveyed workers currently live at home. High rent and housing costs topped the list of reasons (62%), followed by salaries that don’t cover basic living expenses (38%). Other common factors included saving for major goals, job loss, and student debt.
Professional Concerns Persist
Living with parents carries professional consequences. Over half of respondents (55%) said it hurts workplace credibility, 43% feared it could block promotions, and 37% wouldn’t feel comfortable disclosing their living situation to colleagues or managers.Â
Despite being a practical choice, boomerang living can create tension between financial reality and perceived professional image.
Changing Attitudes Toward Multigenerational Living
While stigma remains — 70% of young adults acknowledge some social judgment — many see living at home as a smart, temporary strategy. Nearly 34% view it as financially responsible, and 76% believe it’s becoming increasingly common among peers.Â
