North Dakota’s Housing Crisis Is Forcing Young Adults To Live At Home With Parents Longer

For today’s young adults, the unfair shame long associated with living at home is overdue for a complete rewrite. Far from a lack of independence, staying with family has become a grounded, strategic response to a daunting economic environment.According to the most recent Census figures, 33% of young adults aged 18-34 live with their parents, nearing the historic highs seen during the COVID-19 pandemic, as of 2025. This staggering number equals 25.2 million adults under 35 living with their parents in 2025, according to Realtor.com® research.Moreover, a generational report by Realtor.com noted that a paycheck is no longer the clear dividing line between dependence and independence. Housing shortages, job losses, and significant cost-of-living adjustments in recent years have created a challenging environment for young adults striving for self-sufficiency.North Dakota's affordability challengesA recent study by FinanceBuzz, utilizing Census data, mapped out the percentage of 18- to 34-year-olds who live with their parents in every state, revealing a nuanced picture of young adult independence. In North Dakota, 12.30% of young adults aged 18 to 34 are currently living with their pare...