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

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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Orlando topped the list, followed by Miami and then Tampa after considering 45 key measures, from the cost of living and tax laws to the availability of activities and the quality of health care. — Medora Lee, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2026 The government had framed it as a matter of national security, but voters were instead focused on interest rates, fishing rights and the cost of living. — Kayla Hayempour, NBC news, 30 Aug. 2026 Those estimates are necessary to build financial aid packages, but the cost of living can change in the months between when the numbers are calculated and when students arrive on campus. — Adrienne Roberts, Freep.com, 28 Aug. 2026 But even more than that, consumers want to trust in organizations while discretionary spending is more precious amid inflation, stagnant wages, and a higher cost of living. — Sydney Lake, Fortune, 28 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for cost of living

Word History

First Known Use

1796, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of cost of living was in 1796

Rhymes for cost of living

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Browse Nearby Words

costo-
cost of living
cost-of-living index
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Cite this Entry

“Cost of living.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cost%20of%20living. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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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

More from Merriam-Webster on cost of living

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about cost of living

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