For people between 20 and 34, the average annual income is somewhere between $40,000 and $59,000. With numbers like that, it’s easy to see why so many young adults decide that living at home isn’t just convenient, it’s the only financially realistic option.
For 26-year-old Vinicius Perez, this reality hits especially close to home. After moving to the U.S. from Venezuela in 2023, he has been living with his mom and brother in Kendall. To him, it’s less a preference and more like the only practical option.
The family previously lived in Coral Gables but moved to Kendall in search of more space at an affordable price.
“The cost of living is so high that it’s complicated to live alone,” he said, explaining that even a small apartment in his area would run him “around $1,500 to $1,800,” a price that doesn’t include the stack of other monthly expenses.
Perez cuts costs by getting around on an electric bike. But recently, after finishing his shift as a cashier at a Subway in Coral Gables, he was struck by a car. The driver was at fault, he said, but did not have good insurance, so Perez did not receive a dime for the crash.
Then, he was fired from his job and lost all his savings. He has since found a better job and is generally content with his living situation.
“At least we can help each other out,” he says, referring to the way he helps support his household.
Damian Hapke is a 25-year-old who lives at home with his mom, younger brother, and girlfriend. He is an entrepreneur who has his own insurance firm and uses staying home as a tool to cut the financial strain of rent to focus on his business.
“Independent living with your parents is difficult,” he said, adding that he often deals with “uncomfortable and awkward moments, mainly from the lack of privacy.”
Learning to “adapt to the pressure and rules” has kept him motivated to get ahead financially.
While Hapke said he doesn’t have the same freedom as living on his own, he chooses to stay because it allows him to save money and avoid debt.
Florida’s high cost of living puts a lot of pressure on its residents, especially young adults trying to become independent. But that pressure is also something many use as motivation to push forward in their careers and eventually move out.
In the meantime, staying home isn’t always a real choice, it’s a necessity.