''Cost of Living'' is a studio album by English keyboardist and composer Rick Wakeman, released in 1983 on Charisma Records. Known for his progressive rock style and elaborate keyboard work, Wakeman composed and performed all the tracks on the album.
The album is primarily instrumental, showcasing Wakeman's versatility across various keyboard instruments, including synthesizers, piano, and organ. It notably features the prominent use of the Fairlight CMI, a groundbreaking digital synthesizer and sampler that was at the forefront of music technology at the time. The musical style blends elements of progressive rock, classical, and electronic music, characteristic of Wakeman's output during the early 1980s.
''Cost of Living'' was recorded following Wakeman's departure from Yes after their album ''Drama'' (1980) and before his brief return for ''90125'' (1983). While not one of his most commercially successful albums, it remains a part of his extensive discography and is noted by fans for its instrumental compositions and exploration of new synthesizer technologies.