real cost

Cultural  

1. The cost of producing a good or service, including the cost of all resources used and the cost of not employing those resources in alternative uses.

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Example Sentences

Like others, Beauchamp says figuring out the real cost of a plane ticket with all those add-ons has become cumbersome.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 10, 2026

But if you think that feels like an inconvenience, think about what some consider the real cost of this ritual — namely, a $672 million hit to the U.S. economy.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 6, 2026

“We can delude ourselves for a while that this is not a real cost, but we’re only fooling ourselves at the end of the day,” he says.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 23, 2026

I’ve been reflecting on the real cost of convenience and instant gratification when it comes to food.

From Salon • Dec. 5, 2024

The real cost of the Nebraska trip, including airfare and fees for the festival, is about $1,500 per Truman student.

From "Drama High" by Michael Sokolove