Australians are increasingly choosing to live with family members or even former partners as the rising cost of living makes it difficult to afford independent living. New research conducted by a comparison website has highlighted that 4.1 million Australians have turned to shared living arrangements in an effort to manage financial pressures, with some even re-establishing past domestic situations.
A survey of over 1000 individuals found that nearly one in five (19 per cent) have either moved in with others or delayed moving out solely for financial reasons. This trend is not just limited to young people, but is affecting various age groups across the country.
About 10 per cent of those surveyed reported returning to or never leaving their family home, relying on parents or grandparents as a financial support system. Others have opted to share living spaces with siblings or friends to split the costs, while 3 per cent admitted they had to move back in with an ex-partner.
Taylor Blackburn, a personal finance expert at Finder, noted that this trend reflects a growing reality where independence is becoming increasingly unaffordable. “With 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 indicates that younger Australians are particularly affected, with almost four in 10 Gen Z respondents (39 per cent) having entered or stayed in shared living arrangements due to financial reasons in the past year.
According to Blackburn, what was once considered a temporary solution is now becoming the norm. “Unconventional living arrangements are becoming the standard as people prioritise affordability over comfort,” he stated.
Blackburn has advised Australians to build up a financial buffer wherever possible, warning that a lack of savings can quickly limit options when unexpected expenses arise. “Maintaining even a modest emergency fund can be the difference between staying in control and being forced into living situations you never imagined,” he added.
