"I Cleared $48K in Debt" — Almost 50% of Young Adults Still Live at Home, and This 27-Year-Old Explains the Key Reasons Why

With the rising costs of housing and groceries, wages are struggling to keep up. For everyday individuals, it often feels like navigating uncharted territory when deciding how much to spend and what salary to expect.

Despite the rising cost of living, discussing finances remains somewhat taboo. I frequently hear internalized voices — from employers and older generations — reminding me that money talk should be strictly off-limits.

So, let’s take it step by step. We’ve launched a housing and pay transparency series where we highlight people’s living spaces, their housing costs, their income, and other intriguing details (like their most cherished possession, their priciest item, and, most importantly — their personal stories).

This week, we’re highlighting Nia, a 27-year-old who has just moved out of her family’s home for the very first time (way to go, Nia!!!). Here are the key details:

Alright, time for some fun details!

"My electric adjustable desk, which I use for remote work. I bought it for $200 on Amazon."

"My carefully curated and color-coordinated book collection and bookshelf. It’s my treasure, my pride and joy."

Alright, let’s dive into the specifics...

As her first apartment, Nia mentioned she had limited options due to budget constraints. She ultimately chose this place for its affordability, convenient location, and the fact that it’s a duplex rather than a large apartment complex.

According to Zillow, the average one-bedroom apartment in Atlanta costs $1,626, while the average annual salary is $71,464, as reported by ZipRecruiter. In contrast, Nia pays $1,095 monthly for rent (before utilities) on a $45k salary.

While Nia can’t afford the average one-bedroom, her rent is relatively proportional to her income — about 29% of her earnings go toward rent (compared to the average of 27%). She aligns with the widely recommended "spend only 30% on rent" rule (something I, living in NYC, can’t claim). 

Still, Nia’s income, like many in Atlanta, isn’t enough to buy a home in the area. According to Fortune, an annual salary of around $127,000 is needed to afford a $400,000 home (the average price in Atlanta). Additionally, like many renters, she’s faced unexpected challenges and sacrifices in the three months since moving in.

She explained to Mytour, "The unit appeared charming and well-kept at first glance, but after moving in, I discovered numerous structural issues, such as problems with the pipes and vents, which someone without professional expertise wouldn’t notice. The building dates back to the 1940s and hasn’t undergone significant renovations in decades."

"This is my first place, and after waiting so long to move out of my parents’ home, it’s disappointing to feel like I made a big mistake...but I try not to be too hard on myself," she shared.

So, "leveling up" is part of her future plans — despite having lived here for only a few months, Nia mentioned she’s planning to move out as soon as she secures a higher-paying job or finds a better place at a similar cost. However, her search for a new place hasn’t been smooth.

"I have a close friend here who owns a home and works in real estate," Nia shared. "She’s honest with me about my options given my current budget: (1) live alone and make do, (2) get a roommate to afford a nicer place, or (3) move into a mid-tier large apartment complex."

As for the roommate option, Nia was firm: "Absolutely not." She told Mytour, "I had roommates all through college and promised myself I’d never do it again after graduating. I’d rather live with family or on my own. I even lost a best friend over being roommates." She added that she’ll move back home if she doesn’t find a better option by the end of her lease.

Like Nia, many young people are moving back home or choosing to stay due to the high cost of living, low wages, and the reality that living alone often requires roommates. According to a Harris Poll for Bloomberg survey, nearly half (45%) of Americans aged 18 to 29 live with their families — the highest percentage since the 1940s 😳.

Nia shared with Mytour, "I stayed at home for several years because I appreciated the comfort of everyone contributing to the household, and my parents only charged me $500 a month in rent."

She added, "I’d come home to dinner ready. I didn’t have to worry about chores like taking out the trash or mowing the lawn. My responsibilities were cleaning and letting others use my car."

She went on, "I also managed to save a significant amount. When I graduated college, my credit was poor, and I had no savings. Within two years, I improved my credit to excellent and became skilled at managing my finances."

She explained, "I was pleased with the outcomes of living at home and chose to stay longer since I couldn’t find compelling reasons to leave. Occasionally, friends and family would ask about my dating life, but it was never an issue. (Though I did prefer dating people who had their own place!)"

In Nia’s case, despite wanting to save aggressively for homeownership, she ultimately chose to rent for her own comfort. "I decided to rent so I could experience having my own bathroom and living room," she told Mytour.

Before moving, she set clear goals to ensure financial stability. She said, "I made sure I had enough savings to cover all my fixed expenses and rent for at least a year. I did this because I’ve seen people get laid off, and I was scared of being next (when I worked in corporate). Plus, what if something happens to my unit or I decide it’s no longer a good fit? I wanted to be able to afford breaking the lease."

Overall, Nia expressed gratitude for being able to live with her parents, which helped her establish a solid financial foundation. She said, "I thank them daily for giving me a strong financial start. Even though being on my own hasn’t been easy, it hasn’t held me back."

Still, I’d argue that if the cost of living — from student debt to rent — weren’t so high, living at home wouldn’t be the preferred choice for many young adults. For many, it’s the only way to get a foothold in the world (and for those without family support, it’s not even an option).

Compared to other major US cities, Atlanta is often praised for its relatively affordable cost of living (except for healthcare). An Axios report highlighted that Atlanta’s lower living costs make it appealing for "those who want the benefits of a major city without the steep price tag."

Nia mentioned that despite the initial challenges of moving out, she’s generally happy living in Atlanta.

She told Mytour, "When it comes to work, I’m excited about the opportunities my skill set offers and where I can take my career next. Even though the pay isn’t high, this government contracts job has been the best career move I’ve made so far. Plus, I have my own bathroom and living room — exactly what I wanted! I was determined to avoid having a roommate, and I’m thankful for that as well. There’s still room for improvement, but I think 18-year-old me would be proud."

Still, Nia acknowledged that while she’s managing in Atlanta, her salary doesn’t allow for a luxurious lifestyle. She said, "My city isn’t affordable if you’re trying to live comfortably on your own with an entry-level salary of $40k–$50k."

She added, "This doesn’t apply to those in tech, healthcare, or other high-demand fields where starting salaries are significantly higher. My friends in those industries are thriving here." 

Since most of her family, friends, and professional connections are in the area, Nia said she’s likely to stay in Atlanta to remain close to her support system. However, after researching job opportunities and living costs in other cities (like Chattanooga, Tennessee; metro-Phoenix, Arizona; Huntsville, Alabama; and Charlotte and Raleigh, North Carolina), she mentioned she’d consider relocating if it meant better career prospects and a chance at homeownership.

But that’s all from Nia! A big round of applause to her for being open about her salary, rent (love to see it), and why living at home is sometimes the best choice for young adults aiming to get ahead. 👏

If you enjoyed this series and support more transparency around salaries, rent, and housing, consider filling out this form to share your story. Whether you live in an average apartment, a designer home, or an Amazon tiny house, we want to see real people’s spaces and hear their experiences. So don’t hesitate to submit — we can’t wait to hear from you!