cost of living

noun phrase

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

Word History

First Known Use

1796, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of cost of living was in 1796

Dictionary Entries Near cost of living

costo-

cost of living

cost-of-living index

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Cite this Entry

“Cost of living.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cost%20of%20living. Accessed 23 Mar. 2023.

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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

More from Merriam-Webster on cost of living

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about cost of living

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