Definition of "Cost of living"

The definition of cost of living is the amount of money you need to have in order to sustain a certain lifestyle. The cost of living refers to the amount of money you spend on housing, food, gas, and other items. It is an easy way to measure a person's standard of living and cost of living estimates allow for comparison between locations.

Cost of living and lifestyle

The cost of living is an index. A numerical value that shows you if your expenses are high or low. This makes it possible to compare the cost of living between cities, states or countries. The cost of living is highly determined by the area you live in, it’s economy, the job market, and others.

If a city has a high cost of living we consider it an expensive city. On the other end, a city with a low cost of living is a more affordable city. This classification is possible at a larger scale, therefore, counties, states, and nations have a cost of living associated with them.

The standard of living is also impacted by a person’s income. A high income in a city with a low cost of living offers that person a comfortable lifestyle. On the other hand, expensive cities with a high cost of living, means those common items, as well as payments, are going to be higher. That would require a higher salary if you want to sustain the standard of living in an expensive city.

image of a real estate dictionary page

Have a question or comment?

We're here to help.

*** Your email address will remain confidential.
 

 

Popular Real Estate Terms

Nationwide group of independent real estate brokers who cooperate together and share information regarding clients who are seeking to relocate from one area of the country to another. The ...

The initial cost of a home plus any expense for final settlement that are not tax deductible plus capital improvements. ...

A written, legally enforceable document used to transfer title to real estate, See also quit claim deed; warranty deed. ...

Capacity in real life has numerous meanings. So, what is the definition of capacity? The “capacity definition’ applies to the highest amount a distinct object or entity can ...

When you hear someone in real estate saying there will be a boring test, they don't mean a dull exam is coming up. What is a soil boring test? Let's find out the meaning of a boring test! ...

Agreement between a lending institution and borrower where the borrower agrees to extend or spread the collateral of a loan to additional properties beyond the original mortgaged property. ...

Also called trust deed. A document that conveys title to a neutral third party during the period in which the mortgage loan is outstanding as collateral for a debt. ...

Evaluation of housing requirements based on family size, ages, occupations, marital status, and other population characteristics. ...

Mortgage placed on a property after a previous mortgage. It can be a second, third, etc. mortgage. A junior mortgage is subordinate to the terms of a previous mortgage. Junior mortgages ...

Popular Real Estate Questions