What is the Average Age to Move Out of Parents’ House? (2024)

While there are a lot of factors involved, the average age when people move out of their parent's home is somewhere between 24 and 27. This makes logical sense – it’s after many people have completed college and around the time when most people get married and/or are in a long-term relationship.

But moving out of your parents’ home can be quite a challenge, especially if you aren’t sure what is happening next. Our guide is here to help you sort out what is most essential as you get ready to move out of your parents’ home for the first time.

How Do You Know that It’s Time to Move Out?

There are a lot of things that can come up as you get older, especially if you’re still living at home. Sometimes, there are subtle things – your commute is too long, or you just don’t feel like you have enough privacy or autonomy related to how you spend your time.

There are some mental health issues that may arise that indicate that you should move out of your parents’ home, as well. For example, if you have a bad relationship with them, or they’ve mistreated you, then you want to try and move out sooner than later.

Lastly, you may just feel that it’s time. Maybe you want to be more independent, or you want to learn some more life skills and get things in order before you settle down with a potential significant other. But when it’s time, you’ll probably figure it out quite quickly.

What Should You Do Before Moving Out of Your Parents’ Home?

It’s not recommended that you just leave your parents’ home whenever unless you’re in an unsafe situation. Here are a few things that you may want to get in order before you decide to move out.

  • Have a job and money sorted out: Are you employed, or do you have a business that you run? How much of a budget do you have to work with? And are you making enough that you will be able to pay for things like your rent, your utilities, and groceries? Get that sort of stuff in order first.
  • Know where you want to live: Do you have an idea of what area you want to live in? Explore the areas near your place of work and/or school, and see what neighborhoods may be best for you, your needs, and your lifestyle.
  • Start getting into a healthy routine of chores and work: You’re not going to have your parents looking over your shoulder all the time like they did at home. Because of that, you want to be sure that you get into a healthy routine of chores and work. Make a schedule and try to stick to it as best as you can.
  • Don’t be afraid to ask for help: If you need help figuring stuff out, ask someone safe. That may be your parents, or it may be another friend or family member that you trust. Either way, you want to be sure that you get help when you need it.

How to Choose Your First Apartment

Choosing your first apartment is so exciting – but if you’ve never looked at renting anything before, you may feel overwhelmed by your choices. Here’s a quick overview of what you should consider when you’re looking to rent your first place.

  • How far is it from the places you go the most often (work, school, parents, church, etc.)? You don’t want to end up spending an arm and a leg on gas money on top of your rent and utilities.
  • What do you want access to nearby? Do you want to be able to walk or bike to certain places? Do you want to be in a busy part of town where you can walk to a bar or restaurant? Or do you prefer the quiet corner of town?
  • How large of a space do you need? Are you looking at something like a studio apartment, or do you want a bedroom and other space?
  • Do you have any accessibility needs that should be addressed? For example, do you need to be on the first floor and/or have access to an elevator? Does the bathtub/shower need bars?
  • How much of a budget do you have? The rule of thumb is that your housing should be no more than 40% of your budget, but that’s hard for many people to accomplish nowadays. The cost will play a big role in what you’re doing.
  • What’s involved in the contract? Is it month to month, or are you going to stay there for a year or more? Read any contract carefully before you sign it.
  • Does the landlord and/or rental company have a good reputation? Are they easy to work with and can you communicate well with them?

These are not the only things that you need to look for when you start shopping around for an apartment. More often than not, you want to put together an entire list of the things you want and need. If you do that first, you’ll find that you’re much more prepared as you go and check out potential options.

What Should You Have on Your Wish List?

Your friends and family are going to want to help you get on your feet when you move out. One of the best ways to let them help is by putting together a wish list of the items that you may want or need in order to make your new home your own.

How do you get started with a list of wants and needs? Here are some ideas that you can use when you’re putting together your own list of needs and wants for your new space.

  • Bedroom items – mattress, bedframe, dressers, nightstands, sheets, pillows, blankets, hangers, curtains, and/or shades.
  • Living room - couch, chairs, and/or loveseat; coffee table and/or end tables; television and entertainment center.
  • Office – desk, chair, computer, filing cabinet or drawers, bookshelves
  • Bathroom – shower curtain, hooks, and liner; towels and washcloths of all sizes; floor mats; toiletries
  • Kitchen – Table and chairs, bowls, cups, dishcloths, silverware, trash can, storage containers, appliances (coffee maker, toaster/toaster oven, hot plate, air fryer, etc.).
  • A home toolkit with all of the basics. This can include hammers, nails, screwdrivers, wrenches, and other tools you may need to fix items, hang pictures, and whatever else you may need to do.
  • Step stool or ladder (in case you can’t reach everything in your new space).
  • Cleaning supplies, including bleach, dish soap, laundry detergent, sponges, and other items you may need to keep your apartment as clean as possible.
  • First aid kit (or at the very least, some Band-Aids and antiseptic of some sort)
  • Smoke detectors, fire extinguisher, and carbon monoxide detector for safety purposes (some apartments may have this included, others will not).

You may have some additional needs, and you can include them on your wish list as well. Put your wish list online so that friends and family who want to give you a hand are able to do so. Some wish list options will give you a discount on items that you

Frequently Asked Questions

How much money should I have saved before moving out?

You want to be reasonable and start small. Typically, you want to have somewhere between $1000 and $2000 set aside in your emergency fund; more if possible. The more prepared you are upon leaving your parents’ home, the less stressful it will be (and the less likely it is that you’ll end up back there because of financial issues in the future).

What if I’m older than the average move-out age?

It’s totally fine to be a “late bloomer,” even when it comes to moving out of your parents’ home. Sometimes, economic factors make it difficult to find a job with a living wage and/or affordable housing. Basically, it’s up to you and the family that you’re living with to determine what may be best in terms of moving out of their home and being on your own.

Is it normal to feel nervous about moving out?

Of course. It’s a huge step to move out of your parents’ home, and you want to be sure that you plan for it properly. You may even have a hard time adjusting to not being home. But that’s okay – this is an important step for you and, in the long run, you’ll be glad that you finally took the leap.

Getting Ready to Move Out

There’s a lot to be said about moving out of your parents’ home (hire a local moving company), and it can be overwhelming. But, if you plan well and you determine what you want to do, you’ll find that it’s a great experience and can help you to start growing up in big ways.

What is the Average Age to Move Out of Parents’ House? (2024)

FAQs

What is the Average Age to Move Out of Parents’ House? ›

While there are a lot of factors involved, the average age when people move out of their parent's home is somewhere between 24 and 27. This makes logical sense – it's after many people have completed college and around the time when most people get married and/or are in a long-term relationship.

What is the average age people move out of parents house? ›

Plan everything well. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median age of moving out of a parent's house is 19 years old, though 54.6% move back before they're 27.

Is 19 a good age to move out? ›

There's no right or wrong age to consider moving out. The answer depends on your ability to afford the costs of living on your own. As of July 2020, 52% of young adults ages 18 – 29 lived with their parents, the highest number since the Great Depression era.

Do most 22 year olds live with their parents? ›

More than half (58%) of young adults in the U.S. are living with their parents.

Is 24 too old to live with parents? ›

The answer is simply that there is no maximum age. In fact, some older people live with their children. Some children live with their parents until they reach old age and die, albeit that case is rarer, and typically in a poor health situation.

Is moving out good for Mental Health? ›

You can step back from your day-to-day life, and begin to understand more about yourself – positive or negative habits, toxic relationships, fears, desires, and more. Simply taking the time to understand more about yourself can be extremely valuable, and help you build a happier life and a healthier mental state.

Is it okay to move out at 21? ›

There is really no cutoff age to when you should be moved out from your parent's house. It's honestly depends on 3 key factors: How you feel about living with your parents as an adult. How your parent's feel about you staying at home as an adult.

Should you live with your parents at 18? ›

It's extremely unlikely that most young adults can or should move out of their parents' home once they hit 18. The bottom line is that living at home is rarely the first choice of young adults. Living with parents is an unfortunate state of affairs that results from few jobs, the high cost of living, and low wages.

How do you know it's time to move out? ›

Ideally, you'll move out when:
  • You feel financially ready to pay rent and pay your bills on time (more on that below).
  • You feel like you've made as much progress on your personal growth as you can, and you're ready to tackle new challenges and responsibilities.
Feb 1, 2022

How much money should you have before moving out? ›

You should generally save between $6,000 and $12,000 before moving out. You'll need this money to find a place to live inside, purchase furniture, cover moving expenses, and pay other bills. You'll also want to have enough money saved up for an emergency fund before moving out.

Is it normal for a 25 year old to live at home? ›

It's not all smiles and cups of tea. Shutterstock. Gone are the days when living at home in your 20s was seen as an embarrassing sign of arrested development. Today, 63% of single adults between the ages of 20 and 29 live with their parents, as do just over half of 25- to 29-year-olds.

Are Gen Z still living at home? ›

A separate study found that nearly 30% of adult Gen Zers are still living at home with their parents, held back from moving out on their own by the rising cost of living.

What percentage of people move out at 18? ›

About 50% of those aged 18–22 years had moved out of their parental home compared to 13% among those aged 14–17 years.

Is 21 still a kid? ›

In U.S. Immigration Law, a child refers to anyone who is under the age of 21. Some English definitions of the word child include the fetus (sometimes termed the unborn). In many cultures, a child is considered an adult after undergoing a rite of passage, which may or may not correspond to the time of puberty.

What is the best age to live? ›

A new survey finds most Americans believe the “sweet spot” in life is right in the mid-30s. A poll of 2,000 people finds four in 10 would not go back to their 20s. Instead, the perfect age to be frozen in time at is 36 years-old.

How do I get my 25 year old son to move out? ›

Here are some ways to get your grown child to move out of the house:
  1. Don't Make Their Lives Too Comfortable. ...
  2. Don't Do Everything for Them. ...
  3. Charge Them Rent – and Dangle a Refund. ...
  4. Set House Rules and Stick to Them. ...
  5. Get Them Help If Needed. ...
  6. Maybe Get Yourself Help, Too.
Mar 16, 2023

Do parents get sad when you move out? ›

Empty nest syndrome refers to the grief that many parents feel when their children move out of home. This condition is typically more common in women, who are more likely to have had the role of primary carer.

What to avoid when moving out? ›

10 Moving Mistakes to Avoid
  • Spending too much on packing. ...
  • Packing heavy items in large boxes. ...
  • Forgetting to take measurements. ...
  • Packing flammable, explosive or corrosive materials. ...
  • Leaving outside of boxes blank. ...
  • Taking taxes too lightly. ...
  • Disrespecting your movers. ...
  • Forgetting to change your address.
Feb 28, 2014

Are you happier after moving out? ›

So, can moving make you happier? Likely yes, if it comes with general improvements in your living environment, social network, and work-life balance. But it's far from a cure-all, and you're unlikely to notice a change in how you feel if your move doesn't offer more than just a superficial change in scenery.

How much money should I have saved up to move out at 21? ›

You should eventually save an amount equivalent to three to six months of living expenses before moving out, so you can handle unanticipated expenses, such as medical bills, insurance deductibles, and vacations.

Is moving out at 18 smart? ›

If you're looking for a good age to move out, start with 18 or whatever age your child graduates high school. Ending high school and going off to a career or college is a good goal to set. You can be flexible as the time approaches if needed, but it's important to be clear about expectations ahead of time.

How to afford living on your own in your 20s? ›

Create A Budget

Where 50% of your net income goes towards essentials. That includes rent, utilities, insurances, groceries etc. Next, 20% goes towards financial goals like paying off debt, saving for retirement, etc. Lastly, 30% goes towards your lifestyle, like gym memberships, meals out, entertainment, etc.

Why is 18 such an important age? ›

Eighteen is a magic birthday, a milestone into adulthood accompanied by great privileges as well as serious legal implications. At 18, your teen can vote, buy a house, or wed their high school sweetheart. They can also go to jail, get sued, and gamble away their tuition in Vegas.

Is 18 years old a big deal? ›

Turning 18 is one of those milestones in life that everyone makes a big deal over. In the eyes of the law, this makes sense. Once you turn 18 you can legally drink, buy alcohol, vote and do things without your parent's permission. Your legal rights have officially changed.

Do guys care if you live with your parents? ›

Men seem to be more forgiving of the living arrangements. Nearly 40% of women say they wouldn't date someone who lived with their parents compared to just 18% of men. This was true across the board, despite age, the survey shows.

How do parents feel when their child moves out? ›

sad – many parents feel grief when their children move out of home. This is sometimes referred to as empty nest syndrome. resistant – you may not want your child to move out unless they marry or buy a house. If they want to leave home for other reasons it may cause conflict in the family.

What month do people move out? ›

Most Americans move from mid-May through mid-September—or between Memorial Day and Labor Day—which is the peak moving season. However, the best time of the year to move is during the off-season, which is mid-September through April.

How long is normal to move in? ›

How long do most couples date before living together? “Same gender couples, on average, move in together within 6 months. For all other couples, it seems to be on average about 2 years,” says Dr. Brenda Wade, a psychologist in San Francisco, California.

Is $5,000 enough to move out? ›

However, it's possible to move out with as little as $5,000 if you focus on knowing how to live cheap and have a stable source of income. However, if you don't have a job before moving out, the need for a huge savings account is huge.

Is 3000 dollars enough to move out? ›

A popular rule of thumb says your income should be around 3 times your rent. So, if you're looking for a place that costs $1,000 per month, you may need to earn at least $3,000 per month.

How much money should I have saved by 25? ›

20% of Your Annual Income

Alice Rowen Hall, director of Rowen Homes, suggests that “individuals should aim to save at least 20% of their annual income by age 25.” For example, if someone is earning $60,000 per year, they should aim to have $12,000 saved by the age of 25.

What percent of 25 year olds have a house? ›

Almost 30% of 25-year-olds own their own homes, a higher percentage than their parents at the same age.

Is it smart to buy a house at 25? ›

Yes, it is smart to buy a house at any age if you've done your homework. Homeownership can bring both risks and rewards. So before you start house hunting, put yourself in position to succeed: Work on your credit profile and start saving up some money.

What is the average age of a US home? ›

According to the 2011 American Housing Survey, the median year in which homes were built was in 1974. That makes the average home now in 2020, 46 years old!

What age are millennials moving out? ›

By age 27, 90 percent of young adults in the NLSY97 had moved out of their parents' homes at least once for a period of 3 months or longer. The median age at the time of moving out was about 19 years.

How will Gen Z pay rent? ›

Financial Companies Are Encouraging Gen Z To Pay Rent With Their Credit Cards. Though many Gen Z adults still prefer other forms of payment over credit cards, companies are launching new credit card programs that incentivize young people to use credit cards for their rent and other large expenses.

What kind of parents will Gen Z be? ›

Gen Z moms feel less confident.

They put more emphasis on being the "perfect mom" compared to Millennials, and they strive to reach more parenting ideals, from keeping kids busy to owning the scheduling for the entire family.

What percentage of 23 year olds live alone? ›

The percentage of men and women ages 18 to 24 that lived alone, about 5% each, did not significantly differ. More women than men in this age group lived with a spouse, 7% and 4%, respectively.

What percentage of 21 year olds live alone? ›

Living arrangements of 18-24-year olds in the U.S. 2021, by gender. In 2021, over 59 percent of 18-20-year old men in the United States lived with a parent, whereas approximately 4.8 percent lived alone. In comparison, the share of women living with a parent was about 55, compared to 4.6 percent who lived alone.

What percent of 22 year olds live alone? ›

While about 5 percent of adults below age 25 years live alone, the proportion doubles to about 12 percent for ages 25 to 64 years, nearly doubles again to 22 percent for those aged 65 to 74 years and jumps to approximately 33 percent for those aged 75 years and older.

What should a 19 year old be doing with their life? ›

A 19-year-old should be able to negotiate roommate problems around privacy, money, and responsibilities as they arise. Communicate — Call home, without being reminded. Remember family members' birthdays and other family occasions, without being reminded. Answer texts (within 2 hours) and emails (within 12 hours)…

What is age 21 called? ›

Adulthood is commonly thought of as beginning at age 20 or 21 years. Middle age, commencing at about 40 years, is followed by old age at about 60 years.

Are you a kid at 19? ›

In most states in the United States, a child becomes an adult legally when they turn 18 years old1. However, “adults” can mean different things when you ask different people. Let's find out what it means to become an adult according to parents, the law, and science.

What is the hardest age in life? ›

One's late twenties and early thirties, from an emotional perspective, are therefore the worst part of life. It's during these years that people experience the most negative thoughts and feelings and experience the most mind wandering, a psychological state that has been shown to be detrimental to well-being.

What is the hardest age to be alive? ›

Scientists at the American National Bureau of Economic Research claim to have established that, in the developed world, human misery peaks at the age of 47. To be precise, 47.2.

What age is peak attractiveness? ›

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons conducted a poll to see when we reach peak attractiveness and apparently it's in your 30s for both men and women. Women are reportedly most attractive at age 30 while men reach peak attractiveness at age 38.

Is 26 too old to be living with parents? ›

The answer is simply that there is no maximum age. In fact, some older people live with their children. Some children live with their parents until they reach old age and die, albeit that case is rarer, and typically in a poor health situation.

What is failure to launch syndrome? ›

Failure to launch syndrome is not a true diagnosis (nor is it a term we particularly like at OPI), but rather is a common way to describe a young adult who is struggling with the transition to adulthood. It can be defined as an inability to leave home and support oneself, regardless of the underlying cause.

Is 24 a good age to move out? ›

Many commentators agreed that 25 - 26 is an appropriate age to move out of the house if you are still living with your parents. The main reason for this acceptance is that it's a good way to save money but if you're not worried about money you may want to consider moving out sooner.

Is it healthy to move out of your parents house? ›

Moving out of your parents' home is not only a huge step but also a milestone in a person's life. The remarkable occurrence is often viewed as the official transition from childhood into adulthood where independence and freedom will walk hand in hand with responsibility and self-reliance.

How much should you save before moving out? ›

You should generally save between $6,000 and $12,000 before moving out. You'll need this money to find a place to live inside, purchase furniture, cover moving expenses, and pay other bills. You'll also want to have enough money saved up for an emergency fund before moving out.

How to move out at 18? ›

How To Move Out At 18
  1. Develop Your Moving Plan & Timeline. The first step of moving out is to develop a plan and timeline for moving out of your parent's house. ...
  2. Get A Job Or Side Hustle. ...
  3. Open A Bank Account. ...
  4. Save Money. ...
  5. Create A Monthly Budget. ...
  6. Build Up Your Credit Score. ...
  7. Learn To Adult. ...
  8. Talk To Your Family.
May 31, 2023

Is moving out of parents house hard? ›

Whether you're 23 or 28, leaving home as an adult is an especially difficult and stressful process. With that being said, moving out is a huge step in pivoting towards independence and it's often the first step in building out your own life away from home.

Is it normal to live at home at 25? ›

It's really not a bad thing. If your pulling your own weight like having some type of job and helping around the house, then it should be fine. Even if you're not and your parents are okay with it, it is also fine.

How do you know when it's time to move out? ›

Ideally, you'll move out when: You feel financially ready to pay rent and pay your bills on time (more on that below). You feel like you've made as much progress on your personal growth as you can, and you're ready to tackle new challenges and responsibilities.

How much money is enough to move out of parents? ›

You should eventually save an amount equivalent to three to six months of living expenses before moving out, so you can handle unanticipated expenses, such as medical bills, insurance deductibles, and vacations.

Is $4000 enough to move out? ›

Not without a job. It's enough for you to get a place for a while, especially if you have roommates, but it's not enough by itself for you to live indefinitely forever. At best, $4,000 will generate you about $400 a year in income. That's nowhere close to enough.

How much money should I have saved at 25? ›

20% of Your Annual Income

Alice Rowen Hall, director of Rowen Homes, suggests that “individuals should aim to save at least 20% of their annual income by age 25.” For example, if someone is earning $60,000 per year, they should aim to have $12,000 saved by the age of 25.

How can I move out at 20 with no money? ›

Top 6 Tips on How to Move Out with No Money
  1. Tip 1: Start Planning Early. No matter where or when you plan to move out, the best thing you can do is start early. ...
  2. Tip 4: Get Rid of as Much Stuff as Possible. ...
  3. Tip 5: Ask People to keep their Newspapers for You. ...
  4. Tip 6: Recruiting People to Help You.
Sep 16, 2022

Why do people move out at 18? ›

needing to live closer to your place of work or study. choosing to live with your partner. conflict with your parents. being asked to leave by your parents.

How do I move out of toxic parents? ›

Preparing to let toxic parents go
  1. Practice ongoing self-care. Dealing with a toxic parent is taxing and often traumatic. ...
  2. Know that you're not alone. Group therapy, if you can access it, is an extremely valuable resource. ...
  3. Explore your options. ...
  4. Clarify your intentions. ...
  5. Allow yourself to let go of guilt.
Aug 29, 2019

Is it normal to cry when moving out? ›

There is absolutely no shame in reaching out for help for your homesickness, so if it's interfering with your life or making you feel sad more than you feel okay, look into seeking professional assistance and advice. Homesickness is a normal and natural part of growing and moving on to new things.

Is it normal to cry when leaving family? ›

While the intensity and timing of separation anxiety can vary tremendously from child to child, it's important to remember that a little worry over leaving mom or dad is normal, even when your child is older.

Why am I scared to move out? ›

It's natural to feel uneasy when things feel like they're outside of our control! Sometimes, the fear of moving out starts as early as the moment you go hunting for a new home. This is also an understandable source of stress. Finding a new place to live, whether you're renting or buying, can get overwhelming quickly.

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