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

As the cost of living continues to rise in the United States, a real estate website has shared where homes are flying off the market the fastest. — Greta Cross, USA Today, 11 Aug. 2026

Five-plus years of higher-than normal inflation has compounded the cost of living, especially for those who can afford it the least. — Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 11 Aug. 2026

Between house prices, the cost of living, and the threat AI poses to the labor market, Gen Z could be forgiven for giving up on the American Dream. — Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 10 Aug. 2026

His priorities include restoring Affordable Care Act tax credits, lowering homeowners insurance costs and addressing the broader cost of living. — Ted Scouten, CBS News, 10 Aug. 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