Americans either leave behind or toss 42% of their belongings when they first move away from home, according to a new survey.
The online survey of 2,000 U.S. adults living away from their childhood home, conducted by Talker Research on behalf of CubeSmart Self Storage, found the average person leaves home for the first time at age 23.
While many find the experience to be full of excitement (58%), nervousness (47%) and happiness (44%).
But 92% have left behind at least one of their belongings with their parents. On average, respondents said they only have the capacity to take 58% of their belongings with them when they move out, leaving 28% behind and tossing out the remaining 14%.
On average, people leave nine boxes or large items at home with their parents after moving out, and over a quarter (27%) said they have no plans to collect their left-behind belongings.
Ambiguous Timelines for Retrieval
Meanwhile, 30% have plans to clear out their belongings within the next year, and 44% have plans — but aren’t sure when they’ll get around to it.
Many leave their things at home with their parents for safekeeping (41%) or in case they’re needed for later use (25%).
Others said they prefer to keep things at home in case they return someday (25%), it was insisted on by their parents (24%) or they’ve completely forgotten about the existence of those left-behind items (23%).
Although most (74%) said their parents didn’t mind holding onto old things, 21% claim they’ve been hassled by their parents to come home and collect their belongings.
The findings highlight how the first move away from home often becomes a major sorting moment for young adults deciding what to keep, store or discard.
“Our survey found that the first move away from where you grew up is a big deal,” said Annette Dunleavy, SVP of Marketing at CubeSmart. “In between all the feelings of excitement and new-ness, it also might be the first time young adults are going through their things and making a tough decision on what comes with and what stays behind.”
The study found making the decision on what comes with and what gets left behind can be difficult for many. Thirty-eight percent said they only bring essential items with them, and 30% either donate or get rid of the things they no longer need.
Meanwhile, many are limited by space: 31% said they have to leave things at home because their new residence doesn’t have the space for all of their belongings, and 20% said they’re limited by how many of their belongings they can fit in the vehicle used for the move.
The Parental Perspective on Empty Nest Storage
Two in three respondents polled identified as parents, who shared their own perspective on their adult children leaving things behind.
Thirty-eight percent of parents with children that no longer live at home with them said their child still keeps some of their belongings at home.
Of them, 44% believe their child will eventually come back home to collect their left-behind belongings, although 58% said they actually don’t mind holding onto the belongings, stating they have the space.
Some even prefer it — 30% said they like having their children’s belongings at home since it gives a reason for their kids to come back home.
Half (51%) of parents with kids that no longer live at home have since moved homes themselves. Of them, 83% moved their child’s left-behind belongings with them to their new residence.
“I think for parents, having their kids’ belongings kept back at home can be as much nostalgia as it is storage,” continued Annette. “From the perspective of these young adults, it’s a way to make sure their belongings are accounted for, even when they can’t be brought with them. But for parents, it’s a physical box of memories that can be recalled and cherished. That said, there are quite a few boxes of stuff I wish my kids would come and get out of our house. ”
Research methodology:
Talker Research surveyed 2,000 Americans who have moved away from home who have access to the internet; the survey was commissioned by CubeSmart Self Storage and administered and conducted online by Talker Research between Jan. 29 and Feb. 5, 2026. A link to the questionnaire can be found here.
To view the complete methodology as part of AAPOR’s Transparency Initiative, please visit the Talker Research Process and Methodology page.
