Instead of a thriving urban center, like New York or Miami, the metro area with the highest percentage of 25 to 34-year-olds residing at home is Vallejo, California. According to the trends reported by the Pew Research Center, nearly one-third of its young adults continue to live in a parent’s household—a figure that more than doubles the national average.
Here, we’ll break down why Vallejo leads the rankings, compare its status with other cities, and uncover what this trend reveals about contemporary adulthood. We’ll also examine how factors such as soaring housing costs, evolving cultural norms, and regional economic conditions influence these decisions.
The city where young adults are most likely to live with their parents
According to 2023 Pew Research data, roughly 18% of U.S. adults aged 25–34 live with their parents. Vallejo, California, tops the list with 33%, followed closely by Oxnard, California, at 32.8%, and Brownsville, Texas, at 30.5%.
In contrast, cities such as Lincoln, Nebraska, with only 2.9%, and Springfield, Missouri, at 6.7%, reveal a tendency for young adults to leave home earlier. These disparities underscore how local economic conditions, housing market pressures, and cultural traditions shape living arrangements across different regions.
Culture and factors like labor market dynamics impact these choices. For example, metropolitan areas with larger non-white populations—often influenced by Latin American, Asian, and other cultural traditions—tend to see higher rates of multigenerational households that emphasize family support.
Meanwhile, cities like Lincoln, where living costs are lower and local job markets are robust, often experience a trend of young adults establishing their households at an earlier age.
Why Vallejo, California, stands out
Vallejo’s unusually high rate of young adults living with parents is not only an economic issue, although California’s notoriously expensive housing undoubtedly plays a role. Here is what defines the area:
- Affordability challenges: Median home prices in Vallejo hover around $500,000, with monthly rental rates nearing $1,800, marking significant financial hurdles that deter many young adults from moving out on their own.
- Cultural diversity: Almost 40% of residents identify as Latino and 20% as Asian, demographics historically associated with higher incidences of multigenerational living compared to their white counterparts.
- Mixed job market: Despite growth in the healthcare and education sectors within Vallejo, a number of residents commute to higher-paying jobs in nearby urban centers such as San Francisco. Stagnant wages and reliance on gig work complicate the efforts toward financial independence.
This combination of financial strain and culturally reinforced values provides young adults with a pragmatic option: staying at home saves money, preserves close relationships, and allows them to contribute to their households.
What does this mean for adulthood today
Vallejo’s trend mirrors a broader national shift in how adulthood is defined. The decision to remain in the parental home is increasingly influenced by systemic factors such as wage gaps, housing shortages, and changes in intergenerational support networks.
While some label living with parents as a “failure”, many young adults view it as a strategic choice that enables them to care for aging relatives, avoid burdensome debt, or save for a future home.
In cities with lower rates of young adults living at home, such as Lincoln or Colorado Springs, more affordable housing and the presence of industries that attract young talent in sectors like technology and manufacturing promote earlier independence.
The research data reflects a story that is not one of dependency but of the realities of high living costs and evolving cultural values. As nationwide expenses continue to rise, similar dynamics may soon be observed in other cities, reshaping traditional markers of independence and adulthood.
