Moving in So Soon? Financial Needs Are Inspiring Couples

As the cost of living in the United States marches higher, some couples are moving in with romantic partners to save money on housing.

That’s the conclusion of a survey from Realtor.com, which found that more than half (63%) of the decisions to move in were informed by financial and logistical concerns. For Gen Z, who highly value financial compatibility with a partner, that number was a whopping 80%.

Not in Love With High Rents

It may not be romantic, but living together for financial reasons is increasingly a necessity for some Gen Z couples. The number of “cost-burdened” households, who spend at least 30% of their monthly income on housing, has hit an all-time high, according to a report from Harvard University . Half of renter households (22.4 million) were cost-burdened in 2022, an increase of more than 2 million from 2019.

That’s a rough rental market, which could explain why many Gen Z Americans choose to live with their parents in adulthood. For those who live on their own, one in four said they relied on money from their parents to pay the rent.

Sign on the Dotted Line

Members of Gen Z are also more likely than other generations to sign a “cohabitation agreement” that outlines what would happen in the event of a breakup. As many as 54% of Gen Z said they signed such an agreement compared to 47% of Millennials, according to Realtor.com .

Even if a couple stays together for the long-term, cohabitation agreements can be useful, helping partners decide how to divide the costs of rent, utilities, and shared purchases such as furniture.

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