When graduation season rolls around, the excitement of completing a degree is often overshadowed by a harsh reality: many young adults cannot afford to move out of their parents’ homes. While this trend isn’t new, it has reached alarming levels, primarily due to the soaring cost of living.
According to RentCafe, the cost of living in California is higher than the national average.
“The cost of living in California is 38% higher than the national average. Housing is 97% higher than the national average, while utilities are 24% higher. When it comes to basic necessities such as food and clothing, groceries are around 10% higher than in the rest of the country, while clothing costs 10% higher.”
Not only has the cost of renting and buying increased greatly, but so have other necessities such as groceries and clothing. All are essentials that we need to survive.
According to RentCafe, “Healthcare services such as doctor check-ups and dentistry cost 8% higher in California compared to the national average. At the same time, non-necessary expenses such as entertainment and grooming services are 10% higher.”
This article shows that not only has the cost of renting and buying increased greatly, but so has other necessities such as groceries and clothing. All are essentials that we need in order to survive.
This increase in the cost of living has caused many students to wonder if they will be able to move out on their own anytime soon including myself. Being uncertain about how I will be able to provide for myself in the future has left me with lots of fear and anxiety.
An article for U.S. NEWS reports that “The Bay Area, as well as Los Angeles County and Orange County, is among the most expensive spots in the state. According to Martini, a single person in the Bay Area needs to earn around $175,000 per year to live comfortably, and a family of four should earn over $250,000. In Southern California, a single person would make between $175,000 and $200,000 per year, while a family of four should bring in $250,000 to $350,000 annually.”
According to a Bankrate analysis of NACE data, “The average projected starting salary in the U.S. for the class of 2024 at the bachelor’s degree level is $68,516.”
This shows that no recent college graduate will even come close to being able to afford life on their own for a while.
This increase in the cost of living has caused many students to wonder if they will be able to move out on their own anytime soon, including myself. Being uncertain about how I will be able to provide for myself in the future has left me with lots of fear and anxiety.
Samantha Alicia is a recent college graduate who has struggled with life after graduation. She said she was “very excited” to graduate, but she quickly realized that California was too expensive for her to live on her own.
“I don’t know how they expect us to be able to provide for ourselves while paying off student debt and paying ridiculously high rent bills. Even the cost of groceries is ridiculous. The amount of debt I have is also insane, it shouldn’t be this hard after getting a degree,” Alicia said.
As someone who is graduating college in less than a year, I have also worried about these same problems. Fortunately, I have very supportive parents who are willing to let me move back in for however long I need, but what about the students who don’t have that option?
Chole Robinson is a recent college graduate, as well, who has struggled with life after college.
“After graduation, I tried living on my own for a while, but that was short-lived. I got an apartment in Ventura but all the expenses became quickly overwhelming and too expensive,” Robinson said.
Robinson said her parents moved to Kentucky, leaving her with no family left in California.
“My parents moved out to Kentucky when my little brother moved out there for college so I had no family left in California. Since I was not able to afford my life out here anymore my only option left was to move to Kentucky. This was not what I wanted to do but there was no way I could afford living on my own,” Robinson said.
This raises the question of what should be done about this problem. Addressing these challenges requires a multifaceted approach. Policymakers must prioritize affordable housing initiatives and student debt relief programs. Educational institutions should provide more resources for financial literacy and career counseling, helping students navigate the complexities of the job market more effectively.
Career bridge programs try to close the “opportunity gap” by “providing college students and recent grads with services like mentorships, career training, and professional education and development,” according to an article by BestColleges.com.
Among these programs are the Accelerated Adobe Life, Mastercard Launch, and Wells Fargo Undergraduate Programs.
Ultimately, this scenario leaves young adults with limited options: either settle for cramped living conditions with roommates or continue living at home. The financial strain of hefty rent payments combined with student loan obligations creates a scenario where true independence feels unattainable.
