When Independence Becomes Unaffordable: A Gen Z Reality
Written by: Natalie Feit
Housing Frederick Intern, Hood College graduate & Master’s degree candidate in Social Work
For many members of Gen Z (1997-2012) (Colby & Ortman, 2014), the goal of moving out and living on our own feels less like a rite of passage and more like a luxury. We were raised hearing stories of how our parents moved out at the young ages of 18 and 20, getting apartments with roommates, or even buying their first house. Now that reality feels far out of reach — especially when the numbers say so.
The truth is, Gen Z isn’t irresponsible or lazy like people think. Living independently is unaffordable because the economic conditions have completely shifted. Rent prices have skyrocketed, minimum wage has been stagnant, and the cost of basic necessities continues to rise (Bloomenthal). In 2020, nearly half of adults ages 18 to 29 were living with one or both of their parents, which is the highest rate since the Great Depression (Fry). And it’s not because we’re not working. Many of us are juggling multiple jobs, side hustles, and school, yet still can’t make ends meet.
What some people fail to understand, is that the world we are inheriting is completely different than it used to be. College is more expensive, debt is heavier, and the job market is more competitive than ever. Entry-level jobs often require years of experience and offer wages that barely cover rent, let alone groceries, utilities, insurance and transportation. The idea of affording a down payment on a house feels like a fantasy.
Even those of us who manage to move out often do so by sacrificing comfort, stability, and peace of mind — living paycheck to paycheck, splitting rent with multiple roommates, or staying in unsafe housing situations just to scrape by. We’re doing our best, but the system isn’t working in our favor.
So no, we’re not lazy. We’re not entitled. We’re just navigating an economy that wasn’t built for us. And instead of shaming young adults for living at home, maybe it’s time we start addressing the deeper issue: the cost of independence is no longer affordable — and that’s not our fault.
References
Bloomenthal, A. (2025, February 5). Can a family survive on the U.S. Minimum Wage?. Investopedia. https://www.investopedia.com/articles/personal-finance/022615/can-family-survive-us-minimum-wage.asp#toc-pay-isnt-the-only-problem
Colby, S. L., & Ortman, J. M. (2014, May). The Baby Boom Cohort in the United States: 2012 to 2060. U.S; U.S Census Bureau.
Fry, R. (2020, September 4). A majority of young adults in the U.S. live with their parents for the first time since the Great Depression. Pew Research Center. https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2020/09/04/a-majority-of-young-adults-in-the-u-s-live-with-their-parents-for-the-first-time-since-the-great-depression/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
Goodman, L., Choi, J. H., & Zhu, J. (2023, April 14). The “real” homeownership gap between today’s young adults and past generations is much larger than you think. Urban Institute. https://www.urban.org/urban-wire/real-homeownership-gap-between-todays-young-adults-and-past-generations-much-larger-you