Moving in with family or roommates to save money
Sharing a home to make ends meet is common, sensible and nothing to be ashamed of. A few honest conversations can make it work.
By the numbers
How many people share homes, and why.
Young adults
Multigenerational homes
Sharing a home is common, not a failure
Many people share homes for money, care and connection.
In 2025, nearly half of U.S. adults under 30 lived with a parent. Across all ages, about 18% of people live in homes with more than one adult generation.
Money is a big reason. Pew found that financial issues top the list of reasons adults live in multigenerational homes, across income groups. Caregiving is a major reason for about a third.
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Most young adults who live with a parent contribute something: 72% help the household financially in some way, and 46% help with rent or the mortgage.
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Pew found that a quarter of adults in multigenerational homes say caring for an adult relative is a major reason they live together.
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Sharing rent and bills can make a home affordable when living alone is not. It works best when everyone agrees on money and house rules from the start.
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Siblings, cousins or friends with children sometimes combine homes. Clear agreements about space, costs and childcare help it run smoothly.
Relief, shame and everything in between
Mixed feelings are normal.
Moving in with others for money can bring relief and real gratitude. It can also stir up shame, frustration, or a sense of going backwards. Both can be true at once.
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Most young adults living with a parent say it has helped their finances. Lower costs can mean paying off debt, saving or simply breathing easier.
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Comparisons, especially on social media, can make it feel like everyone else is doing better. In reality, sharing a home is very common.
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You may grieve the freedom of your own place: cooking when you like, having guests, being alone. That grief is real and worth naming.
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Parents and hosts may feel glad to help and also stretched. Among parents with an adult child living at home, Pew found 27% say it has helped their finances and 18% say it has hurt them.
Talk it through before you move
The conversation that prevents most arguments.
Many household fights come from expectations no one said out loud. Talking before you move, and writing down what you agree, can save a lot of stress.
Topics to cover
- Chores and cleaning
- Food: shared, separate, or a mix
- Guests, partners and overnight stays
- How long the arrangement is likely to last
- Money: rent, bills, groceries, and when they are paid
- Noise, quiet hours and shared spaces
- Privacy: knocking, borrowing, personal areas
- What happens if things aren’t working
Having the talk
- Pick a calm time, not in the middle of a move or a crisis.
- Start with thanks and shared goals: “I want this to work for all of us.”
- Go through the topics one by one.
- Write down what you agree, even informally.
- Set a date to check in, such as after the first month.
Living with parents as an adult
From child to grown-up housemate.
Moving back home can bring old roles back fast. Parents may slip into parenting, and you may slip into feeling like a teenager. Working out new, adult roles takes time and goodwill.
Pew found that adult children ages 25 to 39 living with parents were less likely than those 40 and older to describe the arrangement as positive (43% compared with 64%).
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Ideas
- Cook a family meal each week
- Do your share of chores without reminders
- Let them know your plans, as a courtesy
- Pay or contribute what you agreed, on time
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Notice when you or your parents fall into old roles. Calmly name it: “I know it’s hard not to remind me. I’ve got this.”
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Staying connected to friends and activities protects your mood and sense of self. Libraries, gyms, parks and cafés can be your “third places”.
When a parent or relative moves in with you
Making space for another generation.
In multigenerational homes, many people say living together is convenient (58%) or rewarding (54%) all or most of the time. About 1 in 4 say it is stressful most of the time.
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Talk about money, chores, childcare and how decisions are made. If a parent is used to running a home, they may need a role that feels useful.
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Grandparents can bring love and help with childcare. Agree on house rules for the children, so kids aren’t caught between two sets of expectations.
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Pew found caregiving is a major reason for a third of adults in multigenerational homes. Plan for how you will share care and get breaks.
Roommates to split costs
Choosing well and agreeing early.
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Questions to ask
- How do you like to handle bills?
- How often do you have guests?
- What does “clean” mean to you?
- What hours do you work or sleep?
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Agree on
- How shared items are bought and split
- What happens if someone can’t pay or moves out
- Who pays which bill, and when
- Whose names are on the lease
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Being on a lease can mean you are responsible for the rent if a roommate doesn’t pay. If you have questions, free legal aid can help explain your lease.
Privacy, boundaries and conflict
Keeping the peace in a shared home.
Even people who love each other can clash when sharing space. Small, early conversations are easier than one big blow-up.
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Ideas
- A “do not disturb” signal, like a closed door or headphones
- Agreed alone time in shared rooms
- Regular walks or time out of the house
- Your own shelf in the fridge or cupboard
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Try: “I feel stressed when the kitchen is full of dishes at night. Could we agree to clear up before bed?” Focus on one issue, not a list of complaints.
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A short weekly or monthly chat about bills, chores and what is working can stop resentment building up.
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If things get heated, say: “I want to sort this out. Can we talk after dinner when we’re calmer?” Then come back to it.
Keeping your goals in sight
Making shared living a step forward.
Pew found that 45% of adults 18 to 34 say they are fully financially independent from their parents. Of those who are not, three-quarters believe they will get there.
A simple plan
- Write down why you’re sharing: to save, pay off debt, study, care for someone.
- Set a goal and a rough timeframe, if moving on is the plan.
- Decide how much you’ll save or pay off each month.
- Check progress monthly and celebrate small wins.
- Revisit the plan if life changes. That’s okay too.
When a shared home isn’t safe
Money worries should never keep you somewhere dangerous.
Sometimes people stay in unsafe homes because they can’t afford to leave. If someone you live with hurts, threatens or controls you, including by controlling money, you deserve help.
Warning signs
- Being cut off from friends or family
- Being threatened, hit or pushed
- Having your money, phone or ID taken or controlled
- Feeling afraid to come home
The National Domestic Violence Hotline can help you think through options and find a safe place to stay. Call 1-800-799-7233 or text START to 88788, 24/7.
When and where to get help
Support for money, housing and your mind.
Practical help (U.S.)
- 211: local help with housing, utilities and more. Dial 2-1-1 or visit 211.org.
- Free legal aid: search by address at lsc.gov, or visit lawhelp.org.
- HUD-approved housing counselors: advice on renting. Call (800) 569-4287.
Reach out to a clinical provider or counsellor if…
- Conflict at home is constant and wearing you down
- You feel stuck, low or hopeless for weeks
- You are drinking or using substances to cope
- You have thoughts of hurting yourself
The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and Crisis Text Line are free, confidential and open 24/7 for difficult moments of all kinds.
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Sources
- Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (2026). Economic Well-Being of U.S. Households in 2025 (Executive Summary)
- Pew Research Center (2024). Parents, Young Adult Children and the Transition to Adulthood
- Pew Research Center (2025). The shares of young adults living with parents vary widely across the U.S.
- Pew Research Center (2022). Financial Issues Top the List of Reasons U.S. Adults Live in Multigenerational Homes
- National Domestic Violence Hotline. The National Domestic Violence Hotline
- Office for Victims of Crime (OVC), U.S. Department of Justice. Whom can I talk to about an abusive relationship?
- U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Rent Relief & Eviction Resources and Housing Counseling (HUD Texas state page)
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). Help for renters
- 211 (United Way Worldwide). 211: Get connected, get help
- United Way Worldwide. 211: Connecting People to Local Resources
- Legal Services Corporation (LSC). Get Legal Help
- Pro Bono Net with nonprofit legal aid programs. LawHelp.org: Find free legal help and information
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
- Crisis Text Line. Crisis Text Line
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Crisis Text Line (Behavioral Health Information Series)
- Find A Helpline (ThroughLine). Find A Helpline
This guide is for education and self-care. It is not a diagnosis or a substitute for professional care. Please talk to a counselor or clinical provider about your health. Reviewed October 2026.
