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Cost of Living: Malta vs United Kingdom

Detailed comparison of living costs and expenses between Malta and United Kingdom.

Data updated: November 2026

Quick Comparison Summary

In simple terms, living in Malta is 22.3% cheaper than United Kingdom. The biggest difference is in Other Expenses, where costs are 67.5% lower. This means that for every $100 you spend in United Kingdom, you would spend about $78 in Malta for the same standard of living.

Key Differences

Other Expenses 67.5%

Malta is 67.5% cheaper

Household Utilities 67.2%

Malta is 67.2% cheaper

Markets 58.1%

Malta is 58.1% cheaper

Cost of Living Index

Overall Difference 22.3%

Malta is 22.3% cheaper than United Kingdom

Most Expensive Categories

  • Sports And Leisure +32.4%
  • Clothing And Shoes +5.6%
  • Mobile and Internet +4.9%

Is Malta cheaper than United Kingdom?

Yes, Malta is cheaper than United Kingdom

Overall, living costs in Malta are 22.3% lower than in United Kingdom.

Where Malta is cheaper:

  • Other Expenses 67.5% cheaper
  • Household Utilities 67.2% cheaper
  • Markets 58.1% cheaper

Where Malta is more expensive:

  • Sports And Leisure 32.4% more expensive
  • Clothing And Shoes 5.6% more expensive
  • Mobile and Internet 4.9% more expensive

Practical Examples

Basic restaurant meal

Malta: 17.07 $ United Kingdom: 20.35 $
16.1% cheaper in Malta

1-bedroom apartment in city center

Malta: 1,117.60 $ United Kingdom: 1,411.39 $
20.8% cheaper in Malta

Monthly public transport pass

Malta: 0.00 $ United Kingdom: 94.95 $
100.0% cheaper in Malta

1 liter of milk

Malta: 1.30 $ United Kingdom: 1.69 $
23.1% cheaper in Malta

Summary

Based on comprehensive cost of living data, Malta is indeed cheaper than United Kingdom. You would save approximately 22.3% on living expenses by choosing Malta over United Kingdom. This includes all major expense categories such as housing, food, transportation, and utilities.

Overall Cost of Living Comparison

22.3%

Malta is 22.3% cheaper than United Kingdom

Restaurants

3.9%

Malta is 3.9% cheaper than United Kingdom in this category

Markets

58.1%

Malta is 58.1% cheaper than United Kingdom in this category

Other Expenses

67.5%

Malta is 67.5% cheaper than United Kingdom in this category

Transportation

23.2%

Malta is 23.2% cheaper than United Kingdom in this category

Household Utilities

67.2%

Malta is 67.2% cheaper than United Kingdom in this category

Mobile and Internet

4.9%

Malta is 4.9% more expensive than United Kingdom in this category

Sports And Leisure

32.4%

Malta is 32.4% more expensive than United Kingdom in this category

Childcare

50.5%

Malta is 50.5% cheaper than United Kingdom in this category

Clothing And Shoes

5.6%

Malta is 5.6% more expensive than United Kingdom in this category

Rent Per Month

19.8%

Malta is 19.8% cheaper than United Kingdom in this category

Property Prices

35.9%

Malta is 35.9% cheaper than United Kingdom in this category

Salaries And Financing

47.0%

Malta is 47.0% cheaper than United Kingdom in this category

Detailed Cost Comparison

Item Malta United Kingdom Difference
Basic Restaurant Meal 17.07 $ 20.35 $ 16.1%
Malta is 16.1% cheaper
Three-Course Dinner for Two in Mid Range Restaurant 79.73 $ 88.17 $ 9.6%
Malta is 9.6% cheaper
McDonald's Fast Food Combo Meal 11.38 $ 10.17 $ 11.9%
Malta is 11.9% more expensive
Regular Cappuccino 2.74 $ 4.62 $ 40.7%
Malta is 40.7% cheaper
Soft Drink (330ml) 2.44 $ 2.41 $ 1.2%
Malta is 1.2% more expensive
Bottled Water (330ml) 1.60 $ 1.72 $ 7.0%
Malta is 7.0% cheaper
Bottled Water (1.5L) 0.92 $ 1.53 $ 39.9%
Malta is 39.9% cheaper
Imported Beer (330ml) 9.16 $ 1.17 $ 682.9%
Malta is 682.9% more expensive
Milk (1L) 1.30 $ 1.69 $ 23.1%
Malta is 23.1% cheaper
Fresh Bread (500g) 1.30 $ 1.67 $ 22.2%
Malta is 22.2% cheaper
White Rice (1kg) 3.53 $ 2.21 $ 59.7%
Malta is 59.7% more expensive
Eggs (12 pack) 3.65 $ 4.03 $ 9.4%
Malta is 9.4% cheaper
Local Cheese (1kg) 10.39 $ 9.73 $ 6.8%
Malta is 6.8% more expensive
Chicken Breast (1kg) 9.39 $ 8.96 $ 4.8%
Malta is 4.8% more expensive
Beef (1kg) 18.28 $ 16.31 $ 12.1%
Malta is 12.1% more expensive
Apples (1kg) 3.10 $ 2.97 $ 4.4%
Malta is 4.4% more expensive
Bananas (1kg) 2.08 $ 1.64 $ 26.8%
Malta is 26.8% more expensive
Oranges (1kg) 2.72 $ 2.88 $ 5.6%
Malta is 5.6% cheaper
Tomatoes (1kg) 3.25 $ 3.54 $ 8.2%
Malta is 8.2% cheaper
Potatoes (1kg) 2.00 $ 1.65 $ 21.2%
Malta is 21.2% more expensive
Onions (1kg) 2.04 $ 1.55 $ 31.6%
Malta is 31.6% more expensive
Lettuce (1 head) 1.87 $ 1.14 $ 64.0%
Malta is 64.0% more expensive
Monthly Transit Pass 0.00 $ 94.95 $ 100.0%
Malta is 100.0% cheaper
Cigarettes (20 pack) 6.60 $ 20.33 $ 67.5%
Malta is 67.5% cheaper
Single Bus/Train Ticket 2.28 $ 3.26 $ 30.1%
Malta is 30.1% cheaper
Taxi Base Fare 5.69 $ 5.43 $ 4.8%
Malta is 4.8% more expensive
Taxi per Kilometer 2.28 $ 2.41 $ 5.4%
Malta is 5.4% cheaper
Taxi Waiting Hourly Rate 42.69 $ 27.13 $ 57.4%
Malta is 57.4% more expensive
Gasoline (1L) 1.53 $ 1.95 $ 21.5%
Malta is 21.5% cheaper
New Economy Car 27,319.82 $ 38,367.32 $ 28.8%
Malta is 28.8% cheaper
New Mid-Range Car 33,254.05 $ 40,488.21 $ 17.9%
Malta is 17.9% cheaper
Monthly Utilities (80m² size) 105.78 $ 322.47 $ 67.2%
Malta is 67.2% cheaper
10 GB Mobile Plan with Data 27.38 $ 17.46 $ 56.8%
Malta is 56.8% more expensive
High-Speed Internet (> 60 Mbps) 35.41 $ 42.38 $ 16.4%
Malta is 16.4% cheaper
Gym Membership 65.78 $ 46.25 $ 42.2%
Malta is 42.2% more expensive
Tennis Court (Weekend) 23.94 $ 15.82 $ 51.3%
Malta is 51.3% more expensive
Movie Ticket 10.42 $ 13.56 $ 23.2%
Malta is 23.2% cheaper
Private Preschool (Full Day) 540.25 $ 1,710.49 $ 68.4%
Malta is 68.4% cheaper
International School (Yearly) 10,523.95 $ 20,621.65 $ 49.0%
Malta is 49.0% cheaper
1 Pair of Jeans 100.99 $ 90.04 $ 12.2%
Malta is 12.2% more expensive
1 Summer Dress 45.66 $ 44.62 $ 2.3%
Malta is 2.3% more expensive
1 Pair of Running Shoes 100.09 $ 101.31 $ 1.2%
Malta is 1.2% cheaper
1 Pair of Business Shoes 111.75 $ 103.43 $ 8.0%
Malta is 8.0% more expensive
1-Bedroom Apartment (City Center) 1,117.60 $ 1,411.39 $ 20.8%
Malta is 20.8% cheaper
1-Bedroom Apartment (Suburbs) 928.07 $ 1,145.39 $ 19.0%
Malta is 19.0% cheaper
3-Bedroom Apartment (City Center) 1,895.45 $ 2,337.19 $ 18.9%
Malta is 18.9% cheaper
3-Bedroom Apartment (Suburbs) 1,469.02 $ 1,852.21 $ 20.7%
Malta is 20.7% cheaper
Apartment Price (City Center) per m² 4,092.78 $ 6,334.38 $ 35.4%
Malta is 35.4% cheaper
Apartment Price (Suburbs) per m² 3,212.00 $ 5,062.78 $ 36.6%
Malta is 36.6% cheaper
Average Monthly Salary (after tax) 1,710.11 $ 3,229.12 $ 47.0%
Malta is 47.0% cheaper
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Rate 4.71 5.75 18.1%
Malta is 18.1% cheaper

Cost of Living Calculator

Calculate how your current expenses would change if you moved to United Kingdom. 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 United Kingdom 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 United Kingdom

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

Cultural Cost Differences

Malta

United Kingdom

  • 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 United Kingdom

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