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

For one of the most expensive states in the nation, in terms of cost of living, bridging the economic divide in employment could bring relief to those who don’t have the time, money or inclination to invest in a four-year university. —Chris Westfall, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024

Since the pandemic began in February 2020, the average cost of living in the U.S. has increased by approximately 22.1%, according to the latest data. —Brandi D. Addison, Austin American-Statesman, 18 Dec. 2024

Alaska, California, Hawaii, New York and Massachusetts are the five states with the highest cost of living, according to data from the Missouri Economic and Research Center. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 12 Dec. 2024

Many other states, including Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Ohio, and Virginia are implementing smaller, annual increases linked directly to the cost of living. —Francisco Velasquez, Quartz, 9 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1796, in the meaning defined above

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