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

Political post-mortem after post-mortem has deepened a cold war between progressives and moderates, fueling ongoing debates over President Joe Biden’s handling of the Gaza war, inflation, and the cost of living. —Jake Angelo, Fortune, 9 Mar. 2026

That is turning the conflict abroad into a pocketbook issue for millions of consumers frustrated over the high cost of living, which may worsen. —Dallas Morning News, 9 Mar. 2026

Americans have been fed up with the high cost of living, but one saving grace has been that gas prices have stayed relatively low. —David Goldman, CNN Money, 9 Mar. 2026

These days, thanks to a desire to shop more sustainably, a pushback on the monoculture, and tightening purse strings due to the rising cost of living, estate sales are edging their way into the mainstream. —Zoey Goto, Vogue, 9 Mar. 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