cost of living

noun
1.
the average cost of food, clothing, and other necessary or usual goods and services paid by a person, family, etc., or considered as a standard by the members of a group.
Origin of cost of living
1895-1900
Related forms
cost-of-living, adjective
British Dictionary definitions for cost-of-living

cost of living

noun
1.
  1. the basic cost of the food, clothing, shelter, and fuel necessary to maintain life, esp at a standard regarded as basic or minimal
  2. (as modifier): the cost-of-living index
2.
the average expenditure of a person or family in a given period
cost-of-living in Culture

cost of living definition


The average cost of the basic necessities of life, including food, shelter, and clothing.

Note: In the United States, the cost of living is monitored in the consumer price index (formerly called the cost-of-living index), published monthly by the federal government.