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Cost of Living: Malta vs France

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

Data updated: November 2026

Quick Comparison Summary

In simple terms, living in Malta is 15.3% more expensive than France. The biggest difference is in Markets, where costs are 58.0% lower. This means that for every $100 you spend in France, you would spend about $115 in Malta for the same standard of living.

Key Differences

Sports And Leisure 44.5%

Malta is 44.5% more expensive

Rent Per Month 20.5%

Malta is 20.5% more expensive

Restaurants 13.3%

Malta is 13.3% more expensive

Cost of Living Index

Overall Difference 15.3%

Malta is 15.3% more expensive than France

Most Expensive Categories

  • Sports And Leisure +44.5%
  • Rent Per Month +20.5%
  • Restaurants +13.3%

Is Malta cheaper than France?

No, France is cheaper than Malta

Overall, living costs in France are 15.3% lower than in Malta.

Where France is cheaper:

  • Sports And Leisure 44.5% cheaper
  • Rent Per Month 20.5% cheaper
  • Restaurants 13.3% cheaper

Where France is more expensive:

  • Markets 58.0% more expensive
  • Other Expenses 51.7% more expensive
  • Household Utilities 49.8% more expensive

Practical Examples

1-bedroom apartment in city center

Malta: 1,117.60 $ France: 875.36 $
27.7% more expensive in Malta

Monthly public transport pass

Malta: 0.00 $ France: 70.58 $
100.0% cheaper in Malta

1 liter of gasoline

Malta: 1.53 $ France: 2.04 $
25.0% cheaper in Malta

Summary

Based on comprehensive cost of living data, France is indeed cheaper than Malta. You would spend approximately 15.3% on living expenses by choosing France over Malta. This includes all major expense categories such as housing, food, transportation, and utilities.

Overall Cost of Living Comparison

15.3%

Malta is 15.3% more expensive than France

Restaurants

13.3%

Malta is 13.3% more expensive than France in this category

Markets

58.0%

Malta is 58.0% cheaper than France in this category

Other Expenses

51.7%

Malta is 51.7% cheaper than France in this category

Transportation

17.0%

Malta is 17.0% cheaper than France in this category

Household Utilities

49.8%

Malta is 49.8% cheaper than France in this category

Mobile and Internet

5.0%

Malta is 5.0% more expensive than France in this category

Sports And Leisure

44.5%

Malta is 44.5% more expensive than France in this category

Childcare

10.7%

Malta is 10.7% cheaper than France in this category

Clothing And Shoes

7.8%

Malta is 7.8% cheaper than France in this category

Rent Per Month

20.5%

Malta is 20.5% more expensive than France in this category

Property Prices

33.0%

Malta is 33.0% cheaper than France in this category

Salaries And Financing

36.3%

Malta is 36.3% cheaper than France in this category

Detailed Cost Comparison

Item Malta France Difference
Basic Restaurant Meal 17.07 $ 17.07 $ 0.0%
Malta is 0.0% more expensive
Three-Course Dinner for Two in Mid Range Restaurant 79.73 $ 68.30 $ 16.7%
Malta is 16.7% more expensive
McDonald's Fast Food Combo Meal 11.38 $ 12.52 $ 9.1%
Malta is 9.1% cheaper
Regular Cappuccino 2.74 $ 3.63 $ 24.5%
Malta is 24.5% cheaper
Soft Drink (330ml) 2.44 $ 3.19 $ 23.5%
Malta is 23.5% cheaper
Bottled Water (330ml) 1.60 $ 2.21 $ 27.6%
Malta is 27.6% cheaper
Bottled Water (1.5L) 0.92 $ 0.78 $ 17.9%
Malta is 17.9% more expensive
Local Beer (500ml) 9.11 $ ? N/A
Imported Beer (330ml) 9.16 $ 3.33 $ 175.1%
Malta is 175.1% more expensive
Mid-Range Wine 13.66 $ 11.38 $ 20.0%
Malta is 20.0% more expensive
Local Beer (500ml bottle) 1.94 $ ? N/A
Milk (1L) 1.30 $ 1.31 $ 0.8%
Malta is 0.8% cheaper
Fresh Bread (500g) 1.30 $ 2.04 $ 36.3%
Malta is 36.3% cheaper
White Rice (1kg) 3.53 $ 2.59 $ 36.3%
Malta is 36.3% more expensive
Eggs (12 pack) 3.65 $ 4.29 $ 14.9%
Malta is 14.9% cheaper
Local Cheese (1kg) 10.39 $ 20.08 $ 48.3%
Malta is 48.3% cheaper
Chicken Breast (1kg) 9.39 $ 13.86 $ 32.3%
Malta is 32.3% cheaper
Beef (1kg) 18.28 $ 21.30 $ 14.2%
Malta is 14.2% cheaper
Apples (1kg) 3.10 $ 3.12 $ 0.6%
Malta is 0.6% cheaper
Bananas (1kg) 2.08 $ 2.33 $ 10.7%
Malta is 10.7% cheaper
Oranges (1kg) 2.72 $ 3.10 $ 12.3%
Malta is 12.3% cheaper
Tomatoes (1kg) 3.25 $ 3.63 $ 10.5%
Malta is 10.5% cheaper
Potatoes (1kg) 2.00 $ 2.35 $ 14.9%
Malta is 14.9% cheaper
Onions (1kg) 2.04 $ 2.45 $ 16.7%
Malta is 16.7% cheaper
Lettuce (1 head) 1.87 $ 1.57 $ 19.1%
Malta is 19.1% more expensive
Monthly Transit Pass 0.00 $ 70.58 $ 100.0%
Malta is 100.0% cheaper
Cigarettes (20 pack) 6.60 $ 13.66 $ 51.7%
Malta is 51.7% cheaper
Single Bus/Train Ticket 2.28 $ 2.16 $ 5.6%
Malta is 5.6% more expensive
Taxi Base Fare 5.69 $ 5.46 $ 4.2%
Malta is 4.2% more expensive
Taxi per Kilometer 2.28 $ 2.28 $ 0.0%
Malta is 0.0% more expensive
Taxi Waiting Hourly Rate 42.69 $ 37.22 $ 14.7%
Malta is 14.7% more expensive
Gasoline (1L) 1.53 $ 2.04 $ 25.0%
Malta is 25.0% cheaper
New Economy Car 27,319.82 $ 36,876.07 $ 25.9%
Malta is 25.9% cheaper
New Mid-Range Car 33,254.05 $ 36,162.84 $ 8.0%
Malta is 8.0% cheaper
Monthly Utilities (80m² size) 105.78 $ 210.87 $ 49.8%
Malta is 49.8% cheaper
10 GB Mobile Plan with Data 27.38 $ 25.59 $ 7.0%
Malta is 7.0% more expensive
High-Speed Internet (> 60 Mbps) 35.41 $ 34.21 $ 3.5%
Malta is 3.5% more expensive
Gym Membership 65.78 $ 37.20 $ 76.8%
Malta is 76.8% more expensive
Tennis Court (Weekend) 23.94 $ 18.42 $ 30.0%
Malta is 30.0% more expensive
Movie Ticket 10.42 $ 13.66 $ 23.7%
Malta is 23.7% cheaper
Private Preschool (Full Day) 540.25 $ 800.37 $ 32.5%
Malta is 32.5% cheaper
International School (Yearly) 10,523.95 $ 11,595.44 $ 9.2%
Malta is 9.2% cheaper
1 Pair of Jeans 100.99 $ 102.59 $ 1.6%
Malta is 1.6% cheaper
1 Summer Dress 45.66 $ 43.82 $ 4.2%
Malta is 4.2% more expensive
1 Pair of Running Shoes 100.09 $ 104.20 $ 3.9%
Malta is 3.9% cheaper
1 Pair of Business Shoes 111.75 $ 138.28 $ 19.2%
Malta is 19.2% cheaper
1-Bedroom Apartment (City Center) 1,117.60 $ 875.36 $ 27.7%
Malta is 27.7% more expensive
1-Bedroom Apartment (Suburbs) 928.07 $ 692.40 $ 34.0%
Malta is 34.0% more expensive
3-Bedroom Apartment (City Center) 1,895.45 $ 1,634.03 $ 16.0%
Malta is 16.0% more expensive
3-Bedroom Apartment (Suburbs) 1,469.02 $ 1,289.02 $ 14.0%
Malta is 14.0% more expensive
Apartment Price (City Center) per m² 4,092.78 $ 6,484.72 $ 36.9%
Malta is 36.9% cheaper
Apartment Price (Suburbs) per m² 3,212.00 $ 4,425.62 $ 27.4%
Malta is 27.4% cheaper
Average Monthly Salary (after tax) 1,710.11 $ 2,687.45 $ 36.4%
Malta is 36.4% cheaper
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Rate 4.71 3.66 28.7%
Malta is 28.7% more expensive

Cost of Living Calculator

Calculate how your current expenses would change if you moved to France. Enter your monthly expenses in Malta 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 Malta and France 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 Malta vs France

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

Cultural Cost Differences

Malta

France

  • Lower grocery costs suggest different shopping and consumption patterns.
  • 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.

Explore more

Cost of living in Malta Cost of living in France

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