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

Derived Forms

• cost-of-living
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of cost of living

First recorded in 1895–1900

Example Sentences

A growing segment of Angelenos also chafe at the city’s high cost of living.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 2, 2026

High mortgage rates, job-market uncertainty and the rising cost of living have kept many prospective buyers on the sidelines.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 2, 2026

Pfau recommends a globally diversified portfolio, though he notes that U.S. stocks may provide a better hedge for the U.S. inflation that impacts the retiree’s cost of living.

From Barron's • May 30, 2026

"But with today's cost of living, the younger generation will not come into this work. Everyone wants a better-paying job or business."

From BBC • May 29, 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