real cost
noun[C]
ukusFINANCE
thecostofproducinggoodsorservices,includingthecostof allnecessarymaterialsandequipmentand thecostof not using thesematerialsandequipmentfor otheractivities:
Critics of thereportissuedby theDepartmentof Trade and Industry said that thefiguresunderestimatedtherealcostofthecarbonemissionstradingscheme.