Young Adults in Pa. Forced to Live at Home Longer

More young adults in Pennsylvania are being forced to live at home with their parents longer, according to Realtor.com.  

As of 2025, 33% of young adults aged 18-34 lived with their parents nationwide, equivalent to 25.2 million adults under 35, nearly a record high. 

In Pennsylvania, Realtor.com reports that 34.7% of young adults currently live with their parents, placing the state just shy of the top 10 states with the most young adults living at home. The commonwealth came in just behind New York (35.9%) and Massachusetts (35.7%). 

Affordability is a key factor keeping young adults at home in these states, and Realtor.com notes that the primary driver of the “crowded nest” phenomenon is the escalating cost of housing, rather than a lack of employment opportunities. Notably, 7 out of 10 adults aged 25-34 living at home are employed, suggesting that it’s the cost of living and home prices that are making independent living out of reach for many. 

“Something about their income level, debt load or the cost of housing in their market is keeping them home despite steady employment,” said Hannah Jones, senior economist at Realtor.com. “The rise in college attendance over the past 25 years likely plays a role too. More widespread student debt may be constraining what an entry-level salary can actually buy in terms of independent living.”