Most young people have typically been keen to escape from their parents and have their own places as soon as they can. Sometimes they are unable to do so for financial reasons, however, especially in areas where good-paying jobs are hard to find and/or where rents are high. Demographics and cultural norms may play a role in keeping offspring at home, too. Some ethnic and religious communities are known for particularly strong family ties, which may mean more than two generations living under the same roof, with young people staying at home until they get married. (When it’s finally time to leave, these are 40 places where young people are moving.)
24/7 Tempo has identified the states where the most adults live with their parents by reviewing data on age and household composition from the U.S. Census Bureau’s February 2022 Current Population Survey. States were ranked based on the percentage of 18- to 34-year-olds who were living with at least one biological, step-, or adoptive parent as of February 2022. Data on the percentage of 18- to 34-year-olds who live with their spouse came from the same source. Supplemental data on the January 2022 unemployment rate for all age groups came from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and is seasonally adjusted. Data on the median home value of occupied housing units came from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2020 American Community Survey and are five-year estimates.
Click here to see the states where the most adults live with their parents
Maryland tops our list, with almost half of the state’s 18- to 34-year-olds living with their parents. Two obvious factors contribute to this situation: Maryland has relatively high home values as well as the nation’s fourth-highest unemployment rate, at 5.4%. Neighboring Delaware and nearby New Jersey occupy the No. 2 and 3 spots, with 45.8% and 45.1% of adults living with parents, respectively. Both states also have expensive real estate, so it looks like a regional issue. (These are the most expensive states to live in.)
A regional pattern is evident at the other end of our list, too. In South Dakota, only 17.6% of adults live with parents. It’s followed by Montana and North Dakota, where the figures are 19.7% and 20.2%, respectively. These and other states in the Midwest and West are characterized by fairly robust economies with low unemployment and relatively low home values.
50. South Dakota
> Pct. 18- to 34-year-olds living with parents: 17.6%
> Pct. 18-to 34-year-olds living with spouse: 34.5% (3rd most)
> Unemployment rate, Jan. 2022: 2.8% (7th lowest)
> Median home value: $174,600 (16th lowest)
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49. Montana
> Pct. 18- to 34-year-olds living with parents: 19.7%
> Pct. 18-to 34-year-olds living with spouse: 25.7% (22nd least)
> Unemployment rate, Jan. 2022: 2.7% (6th lowest)
> Median home value: $244,900 (18th highest)
48. North Dakota
> Pct. 18- to 34-year-olds living with parents: 20.2%
> Pct. 18-to 34-year-olds living with spouse: 31.6% (9th most)
> Unemployment rate, Jan. 2022: 3.1% (14th lowest)
> Median home value: $199,900 (25th lowest)
47. Nebraska
> Pct. 18- to 34-year-olds living with parents: 23%
> Pct. 18-to 34-year-olds living with spouse: 33.3% (5th most)
> Unemployment rate, Jan. 2022: 2.2% (2nd lowest)
> Median home value: $164,000 (13th lowest)
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46. Vermont
> Pct. 18- to 34-year-olds living with parents: 23.3%
> Pct. 18-to 34-year-olds living with spouse: 31.1% (12th most)
> Unemployment rate, Jan. 2022: 3% (12th lowest)
> Median home value: $230,900 (23rd highest)
45. Alaska
> Pct. 18- to 34-year-olds living with parents: 24%
> Pct. 18-to 34-year-olds living with spouse: 32.8% (8th most)
> Unemployment rate, Jan. 2022: 5.6% (3rd highest)
> Median home value: $275,600 (15th highest)
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44. Oregon
> Pct. 18- to 34-year-olds living with parents: 24.1%
> Pct. 18-to 34-year-olds living with spouse: 29.2% (15th most)
> Unemployment rate, Jan. 2022: 4.3% (19th highest)
> Median home value: $336,700 (7th highest)
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43. Tennessee
> Pct. 18- to 34-year-olds living with parents: 24.4%
> Pct. 18-to 34-year-olds living with spouse: 33.6% (4th most)
> Unemployment rate, Jan. 2022: 3.5% (20th lowest)
> Median home value: $177,600 (18th lowest)
42. Wyoming
> Pct. 18- to 34-year-olds living with parents: 24.4%
> Pct. 18-to 34-year-olds living with spouse: 24.5% (17th least)
> Unemployment rate, Jan. 2022: 3.8% (24th lowest)
> Median home value: $228,000 (24th highest)
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41. Idaho
> Pct. 18- to 34-year-olds living with parents: 24.7%
> Pct. 18-to 34-year-olds living with spouse: 32.8% (7th most)
> Unemployment rate, Jan. 2022: 3% (12th lowest)
> Median home value: $235,600 (21st highest)
40. Utah
> Pct. 18- to 34-year-olds living with parents: 25%
> Pct. 18-to 34-year-olds living with spouse: 41.3% (the most)
> Unemployment rate, Jan. 2022: 2.2% (2nd lowest)
> Median home value: $305,400 (10th highest)
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39. Oklahoma
> Pct. 18- to 34-year-olds living with parents: 25.7%
> Pct. 18-to 34-year-olds living with spouse: 33% (6th most)
> Unemployment rate, Jan. 2022: 2.7% (6th lowest)
> Median home value: $142,400 (4th lowest)
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38. Washington
> Pct. 18- to 34-year-olds living with parents: 26%
> Pct. 18-to 34-year-olds living with spouse: 27% (23rd most)
> Unemployment rate, Jan. 2022: 4.4% (16th highest)
> Median home value: $366,800 (5th highest)
37. Iowa
> Pct. 18- to 34-year-olds living with parents: 27.3%
> Pct. 18-to 34-year-olds living with spouse: 28% (18th most)
> Unemployment rate, Jan. 2022: 3.7% (22nd lowest)
> Median home value: $153,900 (9th lowest)
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36. Colorado
> Pct. 18- to 34-year-olds living with parents: 28.6%
> Pct. 18-to 34-year-olds living with spouse: 27.4% (21st most)
> Unemployment rate, Jan. 2022: 4.1% (23rd highest)
> Median home value: $369,900 (4th highest)
35. Arkansas
> Pct. 18- to 34-year-olds living with parents: 28.8%
> Pct. 18-to 34-year-olds living with spouse: 27.7% (20th most)
> Unemployment rate, Jan. 2022: 3.2% (16th lowest)
> Median home value: $133,600 (3rd lowest)
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34. Missouri
> Pct. 18- to 34-year-olds living with parents: 28.9%
> Pct. 18-to 34-year-olds living with spouse: 30.5% (14th most)
> Unemployment rate, Jan. 2022: 3.8% (24th lowest)
> Median home value: $163,600 (12th lowest)
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33. Kansas
> Pct. 18- to 34-year-olds living with parents: 28.9%
> Pct. 18-to 34-year-olds living with spouse: 26.8% (24th most)
> Unemployment rate, Jan. 2022: 2.6% (4th lowest)
> Median home value: $157,600 (10th lowest)
32. West Virginia
> Pct. 18- to 34-year-olds living with parents: 29%
> Pct. 18-to 34-year-olds living with spouse: 30.7% (13th most)
> Unemployment rate, Jan. 2022: 4.1% (23rd highest)
> Median home value: $123,200 (the lowest)
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31. Maine
> Pct. 18- to 34-year-olds living with parents: 29%
> Pct. 18-to 34-year-olds living with spouse: 26% (23rd least)
> Unemployment rate, Jan. 2022: 4.1% (23rd highest)
> Median home value: $198,000 (24th lowest)
30. Louisiana
> Pct. 18- to 34-year-olds living with parents: 29%
> Pct. 18-to 34-year-olds living with spouse: 28.2% (16th most)
> Unemployment rate, Jan. 2022: 4.3% (19th highest)
> Median home value: $168,100 (14th lowest)
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29. Nevada
> Pct. 18- to 34-year-olds living with parents: 29.3%
> Pct. 18-to 34-year-olds living with spouse: 31.2% (11th most)
> Unemployment rate, Jan. 2022: 5.2% (8th highest)
> Median home value: $290,200 (11th highest)
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28. Minnesota
> Pct. 18- to 34-year-olds living with parents: 30.2%
> Pct. 18-to 34-year-olds living with spouse: 24.5% (16th least)
> Unemployment rate, Jan. 2022: 2.9% (9th lowest)
> Median home value: $235,700 (20th highest)
27. Michigan
> Pct. 18- to 34-year-olds living with parents: 30.5%
> Pct. 18-to 34-year-olds living with spouse: 21% (7th least)
> Unemployment rate, Jan. 2022: 4.9% (11th highest)
> Median home value: $162,600 (11th lowest)
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26. Kentucky
> Pct. 18- to 34-year-olds living with parents: 30.8%
> Pct. 18-to 34-year-olds living with spouse: 37.1% (2nd most)
> Unemployment rate, Jan. 2022: 4.4% (16th highest)
> Median home value: $147,100 (5th lowest)
25. Indiana
> Pct. 18- to 34-year-olds living with parents: 30.9%
> Pct. 18-to 34-year-olds living with spouse: 24.7% (18th least)
> Unemployment rate, Jan. 2022: 2.4% (3rd lowest)
> Median home value: $148,900 (6th lowest)
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24. North Carolina
> Pct. 18- to 34-year-olds living with parents: 31.5%
> Pct. 18-to 34-year-olds living with spouse: 22.2% (11th least)
> Unemployment rate, Jan. 2022: 3.9% (25th lowest)
> Median home value: $182,100 (19th lowest)
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23. Ohio
> Pct. 18- to 34-year-olds living with parents: 31.8%
> Pct. 18-to 34-year-olds living with spouse: 26.2% (25th most)
> Unemployment rate, Jan. 2022: 4.3% (19th highest)
> Median home value: $151,400 (8th lowest)
22. Alabama
> Pct. 18- to 34-year-olds living with parents: 32.3%
> Pct. 18-to 34-year-olds living with spouse: 26.1% (24th least)
> Unemployment rate, Jan. 2022: 3.1% (14th lowest)
> Median home value: $149,600 (7th lowest)
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21. Arizona
> Pct. 18- to 34-year-olds living with parents: 32.8%
> Pct. 18-to 34-year-olds living with spouse: 20.3% (5th least)
> Unemployment rate, Jan. 2022: 3.7% (22nd lowest)
> Median home value: $242,000 (19th highest)
20. Georgia
> Pct. 18- to 34-year-olds living with parents: 33.3%
> Pct. 18-to 34-year-olds living with spouse: 31.4% (10th most)
> Unemployment rate, Jan. 2022: 3.2% (16th lowest)
> Median home value: $190,200 (23rd lowest)
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19. Wisconsin
> Pct. 18- to 34-year-olds living with parents: 33.4%
> Pct. 18-to 34-year-olds living with spouse: 28% (19th most)
> Unemployment rate, Jan. 2022: 3% (12th lowest)
> Median home value: $189,200 (22nd lowest)
18. Texas
> Pct. 18- to 34-year-olds living with parents: 33.5%
> Pct. 18-to 34-year-olds living with spouse: 27.3% (22nd most)
> Unemployment rate, Jan. 2022: 4.8% (12th highest)
> Median home value: $187,200 (20th lowest)
17. Connecticut
> Pct. 18- to 34-year-olds living with parents: 33.5%
> Pct. 18-to 34-year-olds living with spouse: 24.9% (20th least)
> Unemployment rate, Jan. 2022: 5.3% (6th highest)
> Median home value: $279,700 (13th highest)
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16. Florida
> Pct. 18- to 34-year-olds living with parents: 35.8%
> Pct. 18-to 34-year-olds living with spouse: 23.9% (14th least)
> Unemployment rate, Jan. 2022: 3.5% (20th lowest)
> Median home value: $232,000 (22nd highest)
15. South Carolina
> Pct. 18- to 34-year-olds living with parents: 35.9%
> Pct. 18-to 34-year-olds living with spouse: 23.1% (13th least)
> Unemployment rate, Jan. 2022: 3.5% (20th lowest)
> Median home value: $170,100 (15th lowest)
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14. Virginia
> Pct. 18- to 34-year-olds living with parents: 35.9%
> Pct. 18-to 34-year-olds living with spouse: 28.1% (17th most)
> Unemployment rate, Jan. 2022: 3.3% (17th lowest)
> Median home value: $282,800 (12th highest)
13. New Mexico
> Pct. 18- to 34-year-olds living with parents: 36.5%
> Pct. 18-to 34-year-olds living with spouse: 20.6% (6th least)
> Unemployment rate, Jan. 2022: 5.9% (the highest)
> Median home value: $175,700 (17th lowest)
12. Illinois
> Pct. 18- to 34-year-olds living with parents: 36.6%
> Pct. 18-to 34-year-olds living with spouse: 24% (15th least)
> Unemployment rate, Jan. 2022: 5% (10th highest)
> Median home value: $202,100 (25th highest)
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11. Mississippi
> Pct. 18- to 34-year-olds living with parents: 37.8%
> Pct. 18-to 34-year-olds living with spouse: 26.1% (25th least)
> Unemployment rate, Jan. 2022: 4.6% (15th highest)
> Median home value: $125,500 (2nd lowest)
10. Pennsylvania
> Pct. 18- to 34-year-olds living with parents: 38.4%
> Pct. 18-to 34-year-olds living with spouse: 24.8% (19th least)
> Unemployment rate, Jan. 2022: 5.4% (4th highest)
> Median home value: $187,500 (21st lowest)
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9. California
> Pct. 18- to 34-year-olds living with parents: 40.3%
> Pct. 18-to 34-year-olds living with spouse: 21.7% (9th least)
> Unemployment rate, Jan. 2022: 5.8% (2nd highest)
> Median home value: $538,500 (2nd highest)
8. New Hampshire
> Pct. 18- to 34-year-olds living with parents: 40.9%
> Pct. 18-to 34-year-olds living with spouse: 25.2% (21st least)
> Unemployment rate, Jan. 2022: 2.9% (9th lowest)
> Median home value: $272,300 (16th highest)
7. Rhode Island
> Pct. 18- to 34-year-olds living with parents: 41.4%
> Pct. 18-to 34-year-olds living with spouse: 20.2% (4th least)
> Unemployment rate, Jan. 2022: 4.2% (22nd highest)
> Median home value: $276,600 (14th highest)
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6. New York
> Pct. 18- to 34-year-olds living with parents: 41.5%
> Pct. 18-to 34-year-olds living with spouse: 21.9% (10th least)
> Unemployment rate, Jan. 2022: 5.3% (6th highest)
> Median home value: $325,000 (9th highest)
5. Hawaii
> Pct. 18- to 34-year-olds living with parents: 44.4%
> Pct. 18-to 34-year-olds living with spouse: 21.4% (8th least)
> Unemployment rate, Jan. 2022: 4.4% (16th highest)
> Median home value: $636,400 (the highest)
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4. Massachusetts
> Pct. 18- to 34-year-olds living with parents: 44.5%
> Pct. 18-to 34-year-olds living with spouse: 18.6% (2nd least)
> Unemployment rate, Jan. 2022: 4.8% (12th highest)
> Median home value: $398,800 (3rd highest)
3. New Jersey
> Pct. 18- to 34-year-olds living with parents: 45.1%
> Pct. 18-to 34-year-olds living with spouse: 22.9% (12th least)
> Unemployment rate, Jan. 2022: 5.2% (8th highest)
> Median home value: $343,500 (6th highest)
2. Delaware
> Pct. 18- to 34-year-olds living with parents: 45.8%
> Pct. 18-to 34-year-olds living with spouse: 19.2% (3rd least)
> Unemployment rate, Jan. 2022: 4.8% (12th highest)
> Median home value: $258,300 (17th highest)
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1. Maryland
> Pct. 18- to 34-year-olds living with parents: 48.3%
> Pct. 18-to 34-year-olds living with spouse: 16.9% (the least)
> Unemployment rate, Jan. 2022: 5.4% (4th highest)
> Median home value: $325,400 (8th highest)
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