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Cost of Living: Canada vs Malta

Detailed comparison of living costs and expenses between Canada and Malta.

Data updated: November 2026

Quick Comparison Summary

In simple terms, living in Canada is 24.9% more expensive than Malta. The biggest difference is in Markets, where costs are 129.1% higher. This means that for every $100 you spend in Malta, you would spend about $125 in Canada for the same standard of living.

Key Differences

Markets 129.1%

Canada is 129.1% more expensive

Other Expenses 120.6%

Canada is 120.6% more expensive

Mobile and Internet 71.0%

Canada is 71.0% more expensive

Cost of Living Index

Overall Difference 24.9%

Canada is 24.9% more expensive than Malta

Most Expensive Categories

  • Markets +129.1%
  • Other Expenses +120.6%
  • Mobile and Internet +71.0%

Is Canada cheaper than Malta?

No, Malta is cheaper than Canada

Overall, living costs in Malta are 24.9% lower than in Canada.

Where Malta is cheaper:

  • Markets 129.1% cheaper
  • Other Expenses 120.6% cheaper
  • Mobile and Internet 71.0% cheaper

Where Malta is more expensive:

  • Sports And Leisure 28.7% more expensive
  • Transportation 25.4% more expensive
  • Clothing And Shoes 18.5% more expensive

Practical Examples

1-bedroom apartment in city center

Canada: 1,339.05 $ Malta: 1,117.60 $
19.8% more expensive in Canada

1 liter of milk

Canada: 2.24 $ Malta: 1.30 $
72.3% more expensive in Canada

1 liter of gasoline

Canada: 1.17 $ Malta: 1.53 $
23.5% cheaper in Canada

Summary

Based on comprehensive cost of living data, Malta is indeed cheaper than Canada. You would spend approximately 24.9% on living expenses by choosing Malta over Canada. This includes all major expense categories such as housing, food, transportation, and utilities.

Overall Cost of Living Comparison

24.9%

Canada is 24.9% more expensive than Malta

Restaurants

8.4%

Canada is 8.4% cheaper than Malta in this category

Markets

129.1%

Canada is 129.1% more expensive than Malta in this category

Other Expenses

120.6%

Canada is 120.6% more expensive than Malta in this category

Transportation

25.4%

Canada is 25.4% cheaper than Malta in this category

Household Utilities

42.6%

Canada is 42.6% more expensive than Malta in this category

Mobile and Internet

71.0%

Canada is 71.0% more expensive than Malta in this category

Sports And Leisure

28.7%

Canada is 28.7% cheaper than Malta in this category

Childcare

15.1%

Canada is 15.1% more expensive than Malta in this category

Clothing And Shoes

18.5%

Canada is 18.5% cheaper than Malta in this category

Rent Per Month

20.6%

Canada is 20.6% more expensive than Malta in this category

Property Prices

57.3%

Canada is 57.3% more expensive than Malta in this category

Salaries And Financing

67.5%

Canada is 67.5% more expensive than Malta in this category

Detailed Cost Comparison

Item Canada Malta Difference
Basic Restaurant Meal 18.20 $ 17.07 $ 6.6%
Canada is 6.6% more expensive
Three-Course Dinner for Two in Mid Range Restaurant 72.81 $ 79.73 $ 8.7%
Canada is 8.7% cheaper
McDonald's Fast Food Combo Meal 10.92 $ 11.38 $ 4.0%
Canada is 4.0% cheaper
Regular Cappuccino 3.77 $ 2.74 $ 37.6%
Canada is 37.6% more expensive
Soft Drink (330ml) 2.10 $ 2.44 $ 13.9%
Canada is 13.9% cheaper
Bottled Water (330ml) 1.70 $ 1.60 $ 6.2%
Canada is 6.2% more expensive
Bottled Water (1.5L) 1.81 $ 0.92 $ 96.7%
Canada is 96.7% more expensive
Local Beer (500ml) 3.47 $ 9.11 $ 61.9%
Canada is 61.9% cheaper
Imported Beer (330ml) 4.55 $ 9.16 $ 50.3%
Canada is 50.3% cheaper
Mid-Range Wine 11.71 $ 13.66 $ 14.3%
Canada is 14.3% cheaper
Local Beer (500ml bottle) 6.07 $ 1.94 $ 212.9%
Canada is 212.9% more expensive
Milk (1L) 2.24 $ 1.30 $ 72.3%
Canada is 72.3% more expensive
Fresh Bread (500g) 2.70 $ 1.30 $ 107.7%
Canada is 107.7% more expensive
White Rice (1kg) 3.66 $ 3.53 $ 3.7%
Canada is 3.7% more expensive
Eggs (12 pack) 3.51 $ 3.65 $ 3.8%
Canada is 3.8% cheaper
Local Cheese (1kg) 11.48 $ 10.39 $ 10.5%
Canada is 10.5% more expensive
Chicken Breast (1kg) 12.22 $ 9.39 $ 30.1%
Canada is 30.1% more expensive
Beef (1kg) 14.97 $ 18.28 $ 18.1%
Canada is 18.1% cheaper
Apples (1kg) 4.20 $ 3.10 $ 35.5%
Canada is 35.5% more expensive
Bananas (1kg) 1.44 $ 2.08 $ 30.8%
Canada is 30.8% cheaper
Oranges (1kg) 3.85 $ 2.72 $ 41.5%
Canada is 41.5% more expensive
Tomatoes (1kg) 4.14 $ 3.25 $ 27.4%
Canada is 27.4% more expensive
Potatoes (1kg) 2.67 $ 2.00 $ 33.5%
Canada is 33.5% more expensive
Onions (1kg) 2.66 $ 2.04 $ 30.4%
Canada is 30.4% more expensive
Lettuce (1 head) 2.55 $ 1.87 $ 36.4%
Canada is 36.4% more expensive
Monthly Transit Pass 76.38 $ 0.00 $ N/A
Cigarettes (20 pack) 14.56 $ 6.60 $ 120.6%
Canada is 120.6% more expensive
Single Bus/Train Ticket 2.55 $ 2.28 $ 11.8%
Canada is 11.8% more expensive
Taxi Base Fare 3.42 $ 5.69 $ 39.9%
Canada is 39.9% cheaper
Taxi per Kilometer 1.59 $ 2.28 $ 30.3%
Canada is 30.3% cheaper
Taxi Waiting Hourly Rate 28.35 $ 42.69 $ 33.6%
Canada is 33.6% cheaper
Gasoline (1L) 1.17 $ 1.53 $ 23.5%
Canada is 23.5% cheaper
New Economy Car 24,739.68 $ 27,319.82 $ 9.4%
Canada is 9.4% cheaper
New Mid-Range Car 20,433.99 $ 33,254.05 $ 38.6%
Canada is 38.6% cheaper
Monthly Utilities (80m² size) 150.84 $ 105.78 $ 42.6%
Canada is 42.6% more expensive
10 GB Mobile Plan with Data 45.41 $ 27.38 $ 65.9%
Canada is 65.9% more expensive
High-Speed Internet (> 60 Mbps) 61.96 $ 35.41 $ 75.0%
Canada is 75.0% more expensive
Gym Membership 42.65 $ 65.78 $ 35.2%
Canada is 35.2% cheaper
Tennis Court (Weekend) 17.42 $ 23.94 $ 27.2%
Canada is 27.2% cheaper
Movie Ticket 11.36 $ 10.42 $ 9.0%
Canada is 9.0% more expensive
Private Preschool (Full Day) 802.92 $ 540.25 $ 48.6%
Canada is 48.6% more expensive
International School (Yearly) 11,932.95 $ 10,523.95 $ 13.4%
Canada is 13.4% more expensive
1 Pair of Jeans 55.66 $ 100.99 $ 44.9%
Canada is 44.9% cheaper
1 Summer Dress 41.19 $ 45.66 $ 9.8%
Canada is 9.8% cheaper
1 Pair of Running Shoes 88.39 $ 100.09 $ 11.7%
Canada is 11.7% cheaper
1 Pair of Business Shoes 107.04 $ 111.75 $ 4.2%
Canada is 4.2% cheaper
1-Bedroom Apartment (City Center) 1,339.05 $ 1,117.60 $ 19.8%
Canada is 19.8% more expensive
1-Bedroom Apartment (Suburbs) 1,186.00 $ 928.07 $ 27.8%
Canada is 27.8% more expensive
3-Bedroom Apartment (City Center) 2,143.71 $ 1,895.45 $ 13.1%
Canada is 13.1% more expensive
3-Bedroom Apartment (Suburbs) 1,856.86 $ 1,469.02 $ 26.4%
Canada is 26.4% more expensive
Apartment Price (City Center) per m² 6,761.35 $ 4,092.78 $ 65.2%
Canada is 65.2% more expensive
Apartment Price (Suburbs) per m² 4,732.37 $ 3,212.00 $ 47.3%
Canada is 47.3% more expensive
Average Monthly Salary (after tax) 2,865.96 $ 1,710.11 $ 67.6%
Canada is 67.6% more expensive
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Rate 6.35 4.71 34.8%
Canada is 34.8% more expensive

Cost of Living Calculator

Calculate how your current expenses would change if you moved to Malta. Enter your monthly expenses in Canada to see the equivalent costs.

Housing

Food & Dining

Transportation

Other Expenses

Our Methodology

Our cost of living comparisons are based on a robust methodology that combines multiple data sources and regular updates to ensure accuracy:

Data Collection

  • Regular price surveys conducted in major cities
  • Official government statistics and economic indicators
  • User-contributed data from expatriates and local residents
  • Real estate market reports and rental price indices
  • Consumer price indices and inflation data

Calculation Methods

  • Prices are normalized to USD for consistent comparison
  • Exchange rates are updated monthly
  • Regional price variations are weighted by population
  • Seasonal fluctuations are accounted for in the averages
  • Quality of life factors are considered in the overall assessment

Quality Assurance

  • Data is verified by local experts
  • Regular cross-checking with multiple sources
  • User feedback is incorporated into updates
  • Statistical outliers are identified and reviewed
  • Methodology is reviewed quarterly

Note: While we strive for accuracy, cost of living data can vary significantly within countries and cities. These comparisons should be used as a general guide, and we recommend conducting additional research for specific locations.

Lifestyle Impact

Understanding the cost of living differences between Canada and Malta goes beyond just numbers. Here's how these differences might affect your daily life:

Daily Living

  • Grocery shopping habits and meal planning
  • Public transportation usage vs. car ownership
  • Frequency of dining out and entertainment
  • Healthcare access and insurance coverage
  • Housing choices and neighborhood selection

Long-term Planning

  • Savings and investment strategies
  • Retirement planning considerations
  • Education costs for children
  • Property ownership opportunities
  • Business and career development

Quality of Life Considerations

While cost of living is important, it's just one aspect of quality of life. Consider also:

  • Healthcare system quality and accessibility
  • Education system standards
  • Public safety and security
  • Environmental quality
  • Cultural and recreational opportunities
  • Work-life balance norms

Making the Most of Your Budget

Tips for adapting to cost of living differences:

  • Research local shopping habits and markets
  • Learn about public transportation options
  • Understand local tax systems and benefits
  • Explore community resources and discounts
  • Network with locals for insider tips

Local Insights for Canada vs Malta

While both countries have similar overall costs, there are nuanced differences in how money is spent on daily necessities.

Cultural Cost Differences

Canada

  • Basic groceries tend to be more expensive, suggesting different shopping patterns.

Malta

  • Lower fuel costs indicate different transportation infrastructure.

Seasonal Cost Variations

Both countries experience moderate seasonal variations in living costs, with prices typically higher during peak tourist seasons and major holidays.