1 the amount of money that a person needs to buy food, housing, and other basic things:
2 the amount of money that people need to spend in order to buy basic goods or services such as food, clothes, and a place to live:
The index of the cost of living was 134.5 in 1837.
This becomes even clearer when we compare the size of pensions with increases in the cost of living as evidenced by rising food prices.
As demonstrations mounted, demanding a reduction in the cost of living and food prices, criticism of the state education system became more accentuated.
The provision of tables showing changes in the cost of living, ration allowances and in-ation on basic items is extremely useful.
These were relatively 'healthy' areas where the cost of living was comparatively low.
Wages had ceased to keep pace with the rapidly rising cost of living.
The increasing urban population led to widespread un- and under-employment, to serious overcrowding and to a rising cost of living.
And to compound matters, the cost of living is high.
