Adult children moving home doubles parents' bills
About 46 per cent of parents with adult children aged 18-35 moving back home face extra annual costs reaching $7000.
When adult children return to live with parents, costs add up fast. Grocery bills can double overnight.
Energy costs climb between $436 and $1061 per year depending on usage. A chartered accountant breaks down the full picture: an extra $100 a week in food, $20 in utilities, and $20 in household supplies totals more than $7000 annually.
Add in car use, laundry, and heating, and it becomes serious budget pressure. A Thrivent survey found this trend is accelerating, with more parents now supporting adult children who are trying to save for homes.
- 46 per cent
- Parents affected
- 7000 dollars
- Annual extra costs
- 100 dollars
- Weekly food budget increase
- 436 to 1061 dollars
- Annual energy increase
Why it mattersParents planning retirement need to account for these costs if adult children move back home, which shapes both their savings and family conversations.
AustraliaFor Australian parents already stretched by cost of living, adult children returning home can add thousands to annual household spending, affecting retirement timelines and home-downsizing plans.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 2 d ago
