minimum cost of living; subsistence level expenses
Refers to the bare minimum expenses required to maintain a basic standard of living. Often used in economic, social welfare, or legal contexts.
It is hard to live on an income below the minimum cost of living.
The government plans to review the standard for the minimum cost of living.
Compound of 最低 (lowest, minimum) + 生活 (living, livelihood) + 費 (cost, expense). A straightforward modern compound with no obscure historical derivation.