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

High oil prices have amplified that problem and that’s putting pressure on the administration of Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi to do more to address the rising cost of living. — Mayuko Ono, Los Angeles Times, 3 Aug. 2026

That, plus the daily stress of raising five children on an island with an astronomical cost of living, contributed to Brun going back to meth, Kagawa believes. — Guthrie Scrimgeour, Rolling Stone, 2 Aug. 2026

High oil prices have amplified that problem and that's putting pressure on the administration of Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi to do more to address the rising cost of living. — ABC News, 2 Aug. 2026

The drop was driven by worsening infrastructure, softening housing and a high cost of living. — Jeff Kleinman, Miami Herald, 31 July 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