cost of living

noun phrase

: the cost of purchasing those goods and services which are included in an accepted standard level of consumption

Examples of cost of living in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Trump campaigned in 2024 on lowering the cost of living, including bringing the cost of gas below $2 a gallon. — Christopher Rugaber, Los Angeles Times, 29 Oct. 2026

In a recent Targoz poll, young voters ranked the cost of living and health care as their top issues. — Sasha Tuddenham, Fortune, 29 Oct. 2026

The prospect of a general strike in France next week amid national protests on cost of living issues has pushed UEFA to change a Europa League match date in Rennes. — ABC News, 28 Oct. 2026

Listening to voters’ stories, Syed and Hills are learning how people are impacted by the rising cost of living and property taxes, when the value of their home is increasing faster than their income to pay the taxes. — Steve Sadin, Chicago Tribune, 28 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1796, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for cost of living

• unforgiving
• almsgiving
• caregiving
• forgiving
• misgiving
• nonliving
• reliving
• thanksgiving
• giving
• sieving

Legal Definition

cost of living

cost of liv·​ing

: the cost of purchasing those goods and services which are included in an accepted standard level of consumption