standard of living

American  

noun

1. a grade or level of subsistence and comfort in everyday life enjoyed by a community, class, or individual.

   The well-educated generally have a high standard of living.

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standard of living British  

noun

1. a level of subsistence or material welfare of a community, class, or person

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standard of living Cultural  

1. A term describing the amount of goods and services that an average family or individual views as necessary.

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Etymology

Origin of standard of living

First recorded in 1900–05

Example Sentences

Here, the standard of living refers to the ability to afford goods and services as well as carry out household tasks and manage finances.

From BBC • Mar. 14, 2026

After doing the math, she realized that maintaining the standard of living she enjoyed with her husband required a drastic change: returning to work, significantly cutting expenses for herself and her children, or both.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 4, 2026

While that is undeniably an important factor, we know other expats here in Cuenca sharing a similar standard of living whose budgets far exceed ours.

From MarketWatch • Jan. 2, 2026

Consequently, the average American household is now paying more to sustain their standard of living.

From Barron's • Dec. 18, 2025

The relatively high standard of living that she can now enjoy— enough for a small apartment and car in Bangalore—is good for America as well.

From "The World Is Flat" by Thomas L. Friedman