cost of living

American  

noun

1. the average cost of food, clothing, and other necessary or usual goods and services paid by a person, family, etc., or considered as a standard by the members of a group.

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cost of living British  

noun

1. 1. the basic cost of the food, clothing, shelter, and fuel necessary to maintain life, esp at a standard regarded as basic or minimal

   2. ( as modifier )

      the cost-of-living index

2. the average expenditure of a person or family in a given period

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cost of living Cultural  

1. The average cost of the basic necessities of life, including food, shelter, and clothing.

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Discover More

In the United States, the cost of living is monitored in the consumer price index (formerly called the cost-of-living index), published monthly by the federal government.

Other Word Forms

• cost-of-living
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of cost of living

First recorded in 1895–1900

Example Sentences

“I think it directly fits in with voters’ top concern of cost of living right now,” O’Donnell said.

From Salon • Jun. 27, 2026

The gift comes as Americans struggle with the medical debt and rising cost of living.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 25, 2026

Ticket prices at various attractions are among the activities where VAT will be reduced from 20% to 5% in what the goverment said would help with the cost of living.

From BBC • Jun. 24, 2026

Concern for the wages of low-income workers didn’t mean, however, that voters would forever set aside qualms about the rising cost of living.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 24, 2026

“We want you to organize a committee against the high cost of living ...” “The high cost of living?”

From "Black Boy" by Richard Wright