The Cost of Living is an EP by the English punk rock band the Clash.

It marked a transition in musical styles for the band, bridging the intensity of their earlier, punky albums with the broader, more American influenced rock and roll yet to come on London Calling, most evident on the folk rocking "Groovy Times" and "Gates of the West".

The Clash's cover of Sonny Curtis' "I Fought the Law" became one of the definitive recordings of the song, and remained in the band's live set list for much of the rest of their career.

"Gates of the West" clearly describes the ecstasy of the Clash in their first encounter with the United States: "Eastside Jimmy & Southside Sue both said they needed something new".

"From Camden Town Station to 44th & 8th" describes their journey from their London neighbourhood to the middle of Manhattan.