### Question
How is the term cost of living defined?


### Answer
The term **cost of living** is defined in *37 U.S.C. § 403b* as the following:

> a price index selected by the Secretary of Defense, in consultation with the other administering Secretaries, from among the following indices:


(A) The Consumer Price Index (all items–United States city average) published monthly by the Bureau of Labor Statistics

#### Citation:
  - *37 U.S.C. § 403b*
  - Heading: **CHAPTER 7-ALLOWANCES OTHER THAN TRAVEL AND TRANSPORTATION ALLOWANCES**

