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

See Examples For:

cost of living

"What the hol, PM?" asks the front page of the Sun, suggesting the move is at odds with the prime minister's vow to help with cost of living.

From BBC ● Sep. 11, 2026

No wonder readers of The Wall Street Journal want to know more about Treasury inflation-protected securities, the government bonds whose income payments rise with the cost of living.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 11, 2026

In the cheapest states the annual cost of living for a family of four — without counting savings or entertainment — is estimated at slightly more than $100,000.

From Salon ● Sep. 11, 2026

“My starting expectation would be, they would be with me on things to reduce the cost of living, so let’s work together,” he told The Times on Tuesday.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 9, 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