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

Those in favor—including prominent figures such as Bernie Sanders, who has introduced several bills seeking a minimum of $15—contend that wages should increase in tandem with inflation and the accompanying rise in the cost of living. —Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 8 Jan. 2025

Biden pointed to a disconnect between projects, in some cases a decade down the road, and Americans' immediate concerns about the cost of living. —Joey Garrison, USA TODAY, 8 Jan. 2025

Trudeau, who led the nation for nearly a decade, has been grappling for months with significant drops in his approval ratings over mounting frustration relating to issues like the soaring cost of living and rising inflation. —Greg Wehner, Fox News, 7 Jan. 2025

Among the recent blows to Trudeau were the public resignation of a top minister, a confrontation with the U.S. over Trump’s threats of 25 percent tariffs, a conflict over immigration, and the high cost of living. —Laura Kelly, The Hill, 6 Jan. 2025

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