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

Many executives, small business owners and entrepreneurs complain about the state’s high taxes and cost of living, which, coupled with strict environmental regulations, can hinder business operations.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 24, 2026

Mariano Machado, an analyst at the consulting firm Verisk Maplecroft, warned that "any gap between the macroeconomic situation and voters' everyday experience with the cost of living will influence the vote, and Lula knows it."

From Barron's • Apr. 24, 2026

Despite any savings you might see on housing in California, the overall cost of living in both cities could be comparable.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 22, 2026

Cambridge staff received no equivalent, apart from a 2.5% interim payment, which did not address the cost of living for those on a low salary and could be removed at any time, it added.

From BBC • Apr. 21, 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