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Cost of Living: Malta vs United States

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

Data updated: November 2026

Quick Comparison Summary

In simple terms, living in Malta is 38.5% cheaper than United States. The biggest difference is in Salaries And Financing, where costs are 60.4% lower. This means that for every $100 you spend in United States, you would spend about $62 in Malta for the same standard of living.

Key Differences

Salaries And Financing 60.4%

Malta is 60.4% cheaper

Childcare 53.7%

Malta is 53.7% cheaper

Markets 53.3%

Malta is 53.3% cheaper

Cost of Living Index

Overall Difference 38.5%

Malta is 38.5% cheaper than United States

Most Expensive Categories

  • Property Prices +22.8%
  • Sports And Leisure +21.2%
  • Clothing And Shoes +20.2%

Is Malta cheaper than United States?

Yes, Malta is cheaper than United States

Overall, living costs in Malta are 38.5% lower than in United States.

Where Malta is cheaper:

  • Salaries And Financing 60.4% cheaper
  • Childcare 53.7% cheaper
  • Markets 53.3% cheaper

Where Malta is more expensive:

  • Property Prices 22.8% more expensive
  • Sports And Leisure 21.2% more expensive
  • Clothing And Shoes 20.2% more expensive

Practical Examples

Basic restaurant meal

Malta: 17.07 $ United States: 20.00 $
14.6% cheaper in Malta

1-bedroom apartment in city center

Malta: 1,117.60 $ United States: 1,746.65 $
36.0% cheaper in Malta

Monthly public transport pass

Malta: 0.00 $ United States: 65.00 $
100.0% cheaper in Malta

1 liter of milk

Malta: 1.30 $ United States: 1.06 $
22.6% more expensive in Malta

Summary

Based on comprehensive cost of living data, Malta is indeed cheaper than United States. You would save approximately 38.5% on living expenses by choosing Malta over United States. This includes all major expense categories such as housing, food, transportation, and utilities.

Overall Cost of Living Comparison

38.5%

Malta is 38.5% cheaper than United States

Restaurants

1.7%

Malta is 1.7% more expensive than United States in this category

Markets

53.3%

Malta is 53.3% cheaper than United States in this category

Other Expenses

34.0%

Malta is 34.0% cheaper than United States in this category

Transportation

8.2%

Malta is 8.2% more expensive than United States in this category

Household Utilities

49.3%

Malta is 49.3% cheaper than United States in this category

Mobile and Internet

51.3%

Malta is 51.3% cheaper than United States in this category

Sports And Leisure

21.2%

Malta is 21.2% more expensive than United States in this category

Childcare

53.7%

Malta is 53.7% cheaper than United States in this category

Clothing And Shoes

20.2%

Malta is 20.2% more expensive than United States in this category

Rent Per Month

36.3%

Malta is 36.3% cheaper than United States in this category

Property Prices

22.8%

Malta is 22.8% more expensive than United States in this category

Salaries And Financing

60.4%

Malta is 60.4% cheaper than United States in this category

Detailed Cost Comparison

Item Malta United States Difference
Basic Restaurant Meal 17.07 $ 20.00 $ 14.6%
Malta is 14.6% cheaper
Three-Course Dinner for Two in Mid Range Restaurant 79.73 $ 75.00 $ 6.3%
Malta is 6.3% more expensive
McDonald's Fast Food Combo Meal 11.38 $ 11.50 $ 1.0%
Malta is 1.0% cheaper
Regular Cappuccino 2.74 $ 5.24 $ 47.7%
Malta is 47.7% cheaper
Soft Drink (330ml) 2.44 $ 2.56 $ 4.7%
Malta is 4.7% cheaper
Bottled Water (330ml) 1.60 $ 2.09 $ 23.4%
Malta is 23.4% cheaper
Bottled Water (1.5L) 0.92 $ 2.23 $ 58.7%
Malta is 58.7% cheaper
Imported Beer (330ml) 9.16 $ 4.38 $ 109.1%
Malta is 109.1% more expensive
Milk (1L) 1.30 $ 1.06 $ 22.6%
Malta is 22.6% more expensive
Fresh Bread (500g) 1.30 $ 3.63 $ 64.2%
Malta is 64.2% cheaper
White Rice (1kg) 3.53 $ 4.61 $ 23.4%
Malta is 23.4% cheaper
Eggs (12 pack) 3.65 $ 4.29 $ 14.9%
Malta is 14.9% cheaper
Local Cheese (1kg) 10.39 $ 12.93 $ 19.6%
Malta is 19.6% cheaper
Chicken Breast (1kg) 9.39 $ 12.20 $ 23.0%
Malta is 23.0% cheaper
Beef (1kg) 18.28 $ 10.78 $ 69.6%
Malta is 69.6% more expensive
Apples (1kg) 3.10 $ 5.28 $ 41.3%
Malta is 41.3% cheaper
Bananas (1kg) 2.08 $ 1.68 $ 23.8%
Malta is 23.8% more expensive
Oranges (1kg) 2.72 $ 4.50 $ 39.6%
Malta is 39.6% cheaper
Tomatoes (1kg) 3.25 $ 4.91 $ 33.8%
Malta is 33.8% cheaper
Potatoes (1kg) 2.00 $ 2.94 $ 32.0%
Malta is 32.0% cheaper
Onions (1kg) 2.04 $ 3.08 $ 33.8%
Malta is 33.8% cheaper
Lettuce (1 head) 1.87 $ 2.20 $ 15.0%
Malta is 15.0% cheaper
Monthly Transit Pass 0.00 $ 65.00 $ 100.0%
Malta is 100.0% cheaper
Cigarettes (20 pack) 6.60 $ 10.00 $ 34.0%
Malta is 34.0% cheaper
Single Bus/Train Ticket 2.28 $ 2.50 $ 8.8%
Malta is 8.8% cheaper
Taxi Base Fare 5.69 $ 3.75 $ 51.7%
Malta is 51.7% more expensive
Taxi per Kilometer 2.28 $ 1.74 $ 31.0%
Malta is 31.0% more expensive
Taxi Waiting Hourly Rate 42.69 $ 30.00 $ 42.3%
Malta is 42.3% more expensive
Gasoline (1L) 1.53 $ 0.93 $ 64.5%
Malta is 64.5% more expensive
New Economy Car 27,319.82 $ 30,000.00 $ 8.9%
Malta is 8.9% cheaper
New Mid-Range Car 33,254.05 $ 25,982.09 $ 28.0%
Malta is 28.0% more expensive
Monthly Utilities (80m² size) 105.78 $ 208.61 $ 49.3%
Malta is 49.3% cheaper
10 GB Mobile Plan with Data 27.38 $ 57.38 $ 52.3%
Malta is 52.3% cheaper
High-Speed Internet (> 60 Mbps) 35.41 $ 71.66 $ 50.6%
Malta is 50.6% cheaper
Gym Membership 65.78 $ 46.22 $ 42.3%
Malta is 42.3% more expensive
Tennis Court (Weekend) 23.94 $ 21.94 $ 9.1%
Malta is 9.1% more expensive
Movie Ticket 10.42 $ 14.44 $ 27.8%
Malta is 27.8% cheaper
Private Preschool (Full Day) 540.25 $ 1,372.78 $ 60.6%
Malta is 60.6% cheaper
International School (Yearly) 10,523.95 $ 22,512.19 $ 53.3%
Malta is 53.3% cheaper
1 Pair of Jeans 100.99 $ 52.18 $ 93.5%
Malta is 93.5% more expensive
1 Summer Dress 45.66 $ 42.56 $ 7.3%
Malta is 7.3% more expensive
1 Pair of Running Shoes 100.09 $ 89.93 $ 11.3%
Malta is 11.3% more expensive
1 Pair of Business Shoes 111.75 $ 113.60 $ 1.6%
Malta is 1.6% cheaper
1-Bedroom Apartment (City Center) 1,117.60 $ 1,746.65 $ 36.0%
Malta is 36.0% cheaper
1-Bedroom Apartment (Suburbs) 928.07 $ 1,440.62 $ 35.6%
Malta is 35.6% cheaper
3-Bedroom Apartment (City Center) 1,895.45 $ 2,896.11 $ 34.6%
Malta is 34.6% cheaper
3-Bedroom Apartment (Suburbs) 1,469.02 $ 2,403.74 $ 38.9%
Malta is 38.9% cheaper
Apartment Price (City Center) per m² 4,092.78 $ 3,233.83 $ 26.6%
Malta is 26.6% more expensive
Apartment Price (Suburbs) per m² 3,212.00 $ 2,715.21 $ 18.3%
Malta is 18.3% more expensive
Average Monthly Salary (after tax) 1,710.11 $ 4,329.01 $ 60.5%
Malta is 60.5% cheaper
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Rate 4.71 6.51 27.6%
Malta is 27.6% cheaper

Cost of Living Calculator

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

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

Cultural Cost Differences

Malta

  • Basic groceries tend to be more expensive, suggesting different shopping patterns.
  • Higher fuel costs indicate different transportation preferences.

United States

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 States

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