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As in many parts of the world, Africa’s Gen Z faces uncertain starting salaries and rising living costs, making moving out of the family home increasingly difficult.
For young Africans, the question of whether their first salary will be enough to live independently often comes down to how much remains after paying rent.
Living alone offers freedom. It means having privacy, managing your own schedule, and inviting friends over without needing permission. It can also feel like an important milestone, signalling the beginning of adulthood.
But wanting independence and being able to afford it are two very different things. Before moving out, young people must find enough money for a deposit, cover their monthly rent, and manage all the other costs that come with living alone.
A payslip doesn’t guarantee independence
Starting salaries vary considerably depending on the industry. A graduate entering finance, for example, may earn significantly more than someone beginning their career in retail, sales, or casual employment.
In Nairobi, some entry-level positions advertised on BrighterMonday offer between $120 and $200 USD per month, while accounts assistant roles can offer between $250 and $400 USD. These are examples rather than average salaries, and advertised pay does not always reflect take-home earnings.
Meanwhile, according to BuyRentKenya, a bedsitter in certain neighbourhoods can cost around $70 USD per month. Prices vary depending on location, building, and amenities, but even basic accommodation can consume a significant share of someone’s income.
Consider someone earning $200 USD per month and paying $70 USD in rent. That leaves just $130 USD for food, transport, utilities, and everything else.
Moving further from the city centre might reduce rent, but it can also increase commuting costs. Cheaper accommodation doesn’t necessarily mean cheaper living.
Income stability is another important consideration.
According to Kenya’s 2026 Economic Survey, the informal sector accounted for 87.2% of newly created jobs in 2025. Although this figure covers workers of all ages, it highlights the importance of distinguishing between finding employment and securing a predictable income.
For young people considering moving out, knowing how much they’ll earn next month can be just as important as how much they’re earning today.
A problem beyond Africa
The difficulty of leaving home isn’t unique to Africa. Young adults in wealthier countries are also increasingly living with their parents.
In the UK, 28.7% of adults aged 20 to 34 lived with their parents in 2025, compared with 25.4% in 2015, according to the Office for National Statistics.
In the US, Federal Reserve figures show that 49% of adults under 30 lived with a parent in 2025.
Although these figures cover different age groups and include people who have never moved out alongside those who have returned home, they demonstrate that independent living is far from guaranteed, even in developed economies.
For some young Africans, moving out also means supporting two households.
Those contributing to their parents’ bills or paying for a sibling’s education don’t necessarily leave those responsibilities behind when they get their own place. Supporting family can be a source of pride and solidarity, but it can also make saving for independence more difficult.
Expectations around leaving home vary between families, too. Some parents encourage their children to move out early, while others prefer living together or worry about their children’s safety. There is no universal timetable for independence.
Nevertheless, remaining at home can carry a stigma.
Kenyan personal finance platform Money254 has explored the social judgement faced by adults who continue living with their parents, alongside the financial benefits of doing so.
Yet where someone lives tells us very little about how responsible they are.
Someone living at home may contribute to household expenses, buy groceries, and care for relatives. Meanwhile, someone renting independently might still rely on financial support from their family.
Neither arrangement should automatically determine whether someone is considered a responsible adult.
