How much will it cost your adult children to move out of the family home?
Possibly more than you think. But there are steps you can take to help them build their independence.
It’s no wonder children are living with their parents well into adulthood. With the cost of living rising to new heights and salaries lagging behind, the cost of moving out has become unaffordable for many young people.
In fact, in 2024, it was estimated that around 42% of UK adults under 35 still lived with their parents. Some had even moved out already, but felt the need to return due to money worries.
This doesn’t mean they’re not trying their best! Our recent research found that the cost of traditional life goals has soared and many young people see buying their own home as impossible.
Even if your offspring seem to be earning a good salary, it's often the case that paying rent wipes out any possibility of saving for their own home.
So, what’s going on?
We’ve taken a closer look at the real cost of moving out of your parents’ house - and how you, as parents, can help your children to support themselves.
How much does it cost to rent in the UK?
The average monthly cost of living in Bristol, for example, adds up to around £2,501, including a rent of £1,139 for a one-bedroom flat. This means your child would need to have a salary of roughly £36,000 per year just to be able to live in a small flat, pay their bills and stock their fridge.
So, is the answer to just move to the north?
Sadly not. It’s not much different in other UK cities. The cost of living in Leeds, for example, is around £2,049 per month, including a rent of £743. It may seem much cheaper, but your child would still need to earn around £29,000 per year.
On average, the cost of privately renting in the UK is around £1,092 per month, while the average salary is £37,430, which gives take-home pay of around £2,539 per month after taxes (the exact figure depends on things like pension contributions and student loan repayments).
This is the average throughout the UK. Of course, younger people are likely to be in cheaper accommodation but also earning less.
Figures obtained November 2025
How much does it cost to buy a home in the UK?
Currently, the average house price in England is £296,000, £211,000 in Wales and £194,000 in Scotland.
In 2024, the average house deposit in the UK for a first-time buyer was £61,090, and an eye-watering £124,688 for people buying their first home in London!
Even if they're earning the average UK salary of £37,430, it might take more than cutting down on lattes to get the keys to their first home, especially if your offspring’s income is already going on rent.
Figures obtained November 2025
Get up to £1,000 extra towards your first home deposit every year with a OneFamily Lifetime ISA
How can I help my child move out sooner?
With these kinds of numbers, it might seem impossible for your child to move out. But, there are ways to help them move out into their own home earlier, other than simply giving them a wad of cash.
Motivate them to save while they live with you
Charging them less for rent and bills, as long as they’re putting as much money as they can in their savings, can go a very long way.
You could even save the rent their paying you and give it back to them once it's reached a certain amount.
Show your child how to save
Does your child understand interest rates? Do they know to look for schemes and accounts to help first-time buyers? They might not!
You can help them by educating them on all the options available to them when it comes to boosting their chances of buying their own home. Not everyone has heard of lifetime ISAs, for example, which replaced help to buy ISAs.
How can a lifetime ISA help with the cost of moving out?
By putting their savings in a lifetime ISA, instead of a savings account or a regular ISA, your child can get a 25% bonus on everything they save or invest.
But they must use the money towards buying their first home (or they can leave it in the account until they turn 60), otherwise they will be charged a hefty withdrawal fee.
They can pay in up to £4,000 each tax year, which means they could get up to an extra £1,000 towards their mortgage deposit every tax year just by choosing to put their money into this type of account.
There are a few rules they need to be aware of before choosing a lifetime ISA, we recommend giving them a read before committing to avoid that withdrawal fee.
So, next time you sit down to a family dinner, why not take a moment to talk about their plans and give them a little hope that one day they could be hosting you in their own place?
Open a OneFamily Lifetime ISA
Our Lifetime ISA comes with a 25% government bonus, worth up to £1,000 a year!
Our Lifetime ISA invests in stocks and shares, so the value is likely to go up and down over time. This is normal for this type on investment, but it means there is a risk you could get back less than you put in if you withdraw at a time when the value is lower.
