"cost of" vs "cost for"

Question

"cost of" vs "cost for"

Both 'cost of' and 'cost for' are commonly used in English, but they are used in slightly different contexts. 'Cost of' is used to indicate the price or amount of money required for something, while 'cost for' is used to indicate the purpose or reason for the cost.

Last Updated: March 30, 2024

Use 'cost of' to indicate the price or amount of money required for something. For example, 'The cost of the car is $20,000.'

Examples:

The cost of the house was too high.
What is the cost of a plane ticket to Paris?
She couldn't afford the cost of the surgery.
The cost of living in this city is very high.
Do you know the cost of the new phone?

Alternatives:

price of
amount of money for
expense of
fee for
charge for

Use 'cost for' to indicate the purpose or reason for the cost. For example, 'What is the cost for repairing the car?'

Examples:

What is the cost for fixing the roof?
The cost for the event was covered by sponsors.
She was surprised by the cost for the meal.
We need to calculate the cost for the project.
What is the cost for shipping this package?

Alternatives:

price for
expense for
fee for
charge for
amount of money for

Answer 1

cost of

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

Answer 2

cost for

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"cost of" vs "cost for"

cost of

cost for

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