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

This is of particular importance to union members, who were unemployed while the theaters were closed during the pandemic, and then did not see wage increases for several years after, and are facing a high cost of living. — Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 30 June 2026

Others will relocate in search of lower cost of living, proximity to family, or lifestyles. — Joseph Coughlin, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026

New Yorkers have been telling pollsters for nearly two years that affordability and cost of living are their top concerns. — Bradley Honan, New York Daily News, 28 June 2026

The average Leesburg home value is about $280,000, and the cost of living is 22 percent lower than the national average. — Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 28 June 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