Millions turn to shared living arrangements amid skyrocketing costs
Updated . First published at
Australians are moving back in with family – or even ex-partners – as soaring costs make solo living too expensive.
New research from comparison website Finder reveals 4.1 million Aussies have turned to shared living arrangements to ease financial pressure, with some even rekindling old domestic setups in the process.
A survey of more than 1000 people found nearly one in five (19 per cent) have either moved in with others or delayed moving out purely to save money.
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Room for one more? A staggering number of Aussies are moving back home. Nine
About 10 per cent of respondents said they had returned to – or never left – the family home, leaning on parents or grandparents as a financial cushion.
Others have turned to siblings or friends to split the bills, while 3 per cent admit they've had to move back in with an ex-partner.
Finder personal finance expert Taylor Blackburn said the trend reflects a growing reality where independence is becoming harder to afford.
"Between soaring rents, rising interest rates and general cost-of-living pressures, the ability to live alone is slipping out of reach for many," Blackburn said.
The data shows younger Australians are bearing the brunt, with almost four in 10 Gen Z respondents (39 per cent) having entered or stayed in shared living arrangements for financial reasons in the past year.
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According to Blackburn, what was once seen as a temporary compromise is fast becoming the default.
"Unconventional living arrangements are becoming the norm as people prioritise affordability over comfort," he said.
He's urged Aussies to build a financial buffer wherever possible, warning that a lack of savings can quickly limit options when unexpected costs hit.
"Maintaining even a modest emergency fund can be the difference between staying in control and being forced into living situations you never imagined," he said.
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