The Cost is the sixth studio album by The Frames, released in Ireland on Plateau Records on 20 September 2006.

It was recorded in Black Box, France by Stephen Fitzmaurice and David Odlum with assistance from Fabian Lesure.

Both "Falling Slowly" and "When Your Mind's Made Up" appeared on the 2006 album The Swell Season released by Glen Hansard and the Czech pianist Marketa Irglova.

Irglova shares writing credits with Hansard (and the band) on "Falling Slowly" and "People Get Ready".

It included three extra tracks - "The Blood," "No More I Love Yous," and "This Low," as well as the music videos for "Falling Slowly," "Sad Songs," and "The Side You Never Get To See."