How Much Does It Cost to Live In Malta?
When it comes to the cost of living in Malta, you should know that the people there receive relatively low wages when compared to, for instance, US standards but the cost of living is also cheaper.
Life in general in Malta is pretty laid back, as we mentioned the cost of living is cheaper than in most of Europe, there are plenty of social activities, entertainment, music, and art at every step, and the weather is also favorable.
Keep in mind, however, that during the last couple of years, the rent prices have been getting higher.
Malta : Cost of Living by City
RESTAURANTS
When it comes to restaurants, almost everyone eats outside because it’s really healthy – and it’s hard to stay inside in such a warm and pleasant country.
However, it is expensive: you would have to pay around 5$ for a fresh large squeezed juice and 10-12$ for a good fresh salad.
A meal for two in an inexpensive restaurant will cost you somewhere around 70$.
MARKETS
Prices in supermarkets are getting higher and higher too: some are claiming that they’re as high as in some of the most expensive countries in Europe.
But there are still some tricks you can follow, for example: if you want to save some money on Liquor, it’s best to go shopping in Pama or Lidl supermarket where the prices are much lower.
Don’t drink beer outside – buy them in supermarkets, where they’re very cheap.
TRANSPORTATION
The public transport system is mainly of poor quality and badly organized.
A one-way ticket for public transport costs around 2$, while a monthly pass costs 30$ which pays off way more than buying a one-way ticket each day.
You can always hail a taxi.
Ecabs and Taxify taxi services are quite affordable, with prices ranging from 8$ to 25$, depending on where you need to go.
UTILITIES (MONTHLY)
Utilities are definitely not expensive when compared to other countries in Europe.
They are a small expense, and if you live in a larger apartment, of about 85m2, your basic utilities including electricity, heating, cooling, water, and gas, will cost less than 100$.
Internet is reasonably priced, too, and costs about 35$.
SPORTS & LEISURE
If you’re living anywhere in Europe, you already know how expensive gyms and fitness clubs can get.
This applies to Malta too.
Membership in a gym or a fitness club costs more than 67.23$.
Prices for cinema tickets are the same as in many expensive cities in Europe – if you want to go see a movie, be ready to pay 10$ per ticket.
CLOTHING & SHOES
One of the good things when it comes to shopping in Malta is that all shopping malls are less than 30 minutes of drive away from the cities.
However, there aren’t many options and the prices of clothing are high.
For example, both quality jeans and quality sneakers are as much as 93$ a pair.
RENT PER MONTH
Rent is definitely the most expensive part of living in Malta.
You can find cheaper apartments and flats, or even share them with someone, but in comparison to other costs, they are just really expensive.
Renting an apartment in the city center costs around 900$, and if you want one a bit further away from the city, it’s still around 750$.
Cost of Living Averages Table for Malta
*Note: All prices are indicated in USD.| Average Restaurant Prices | |
|---|---|
| Meal (Inexpensive Restaurant) | $16.31 |
| Domestic Beer (0.5 Liter) | $3.26 |
| Water (0.33 Liter) | $1.42 | Average Market Prices |
| Milk (1 Liter) | $1.10 |
| Loaf Bread (500g) | $1.24 |
| Eggs (12) | $2.79 | Average Transport Prices |
| One Way Ticket | $1.77 |
| Monthly Pass | $28.27 |
| Gasoline | $1.48 | Average Utilities Prices |
| Basic (Water, Electricity, Garbage, Heating, Cooling) | $100.81 |
| 1 min. of Prepaid Mobile Tariff Local | $0.33 |
| Internet (Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL) | $36.84 | Average Leisure Prices |
| Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult | $67.23 |
| Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour) | $24.27 |
| Cinema, 1 Seat, International Release | $10.11 | Average Clothing Prices |
| 1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Comparable) | $75.05 |
| 1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, etc...) | $41.72 |
| 1 Pair of Adidas Walking Shoes (Mid-Range) | $92.38 | Average Rent Prices |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Center | $901.20 |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Center | $757.42 |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Center | $1660.78 |
How Does the Average Person Spend Their Money in Malta?
The average person in Malta spends the biggest part of their money on rent – which is the most expensive toll on their salary.
After rent, people spend a huge bulk of their money on food – which only makes sense, for every single country – you have to eat, right?
Restaurants are the third on the pie chart of people’s expenses in Malta, probably because they’re pretty pricey, while transportation follows since it’s an everyday necessity, and it isn’t exactly cheap here, either.
Clothing, shoes, and accessories, as usual, draw the least money from Malta’s consumers.
Average Costs Breakdown
Malta: Average Salary, Minimum Wage & Mortgages
Citizens of Malta have relatively reasonable salaries, with a minimum wage of around 900$.
Those that are renting, however, will probably have to set aside around half of their salary for rent only, and then spend the other half on everything else.
The average monthly net salary is around 1300$ which is definitely enough to cover all expenses and not have to worry about your existence.
If you plan on going to Malta, though, and you’re wondering how much money would suffice for a month – around 1300$ would be your best bet – if you plan on living on a tight budget.
Malta Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: Malta Safety Review
Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: LOW
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
- MUGGING RISK: LOW
- TERRORISM RISK: LOW
- SCAMS RISK: MEDIUM
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
Cost of Living by City in Malta
| City | Cost of Living Index |
|---|---|
| Sliema | 70.33 |
A no BS outlook to living in Malta.
I’m struggling to understand where these figures have been drafted from. What year was this article refering to, 1950?.
Despite the numbers being in USD, a lot of the above is incorrect. Allow me to explain – Malta has endured a sharp trend in inflation in 2022 and it has started to be felt severely this April 2022. A spike of 5.4% give or take. Bearing in mind that Malta has one of the lowest minimum wage rates I’m Europe at around 5-6 euros, and that’s pushing It. The above rate is likely to be offered in the catering and retail industry which often include longer hours and hard work. Rent in the central areas can cost upwards of €1000+ for the most basic space, nothing fancy, and quite often below standard. (I’d like anyone to find me a decent apartment in Sliema for example for 800 or lower as the above suggests).
Let’s now talk about basic groceries, and items required for day to day living without any frills or extras. Produce is expensive starting at around €2-+ for tomatoes, potatoes perhaps etc. I’ve seen grapes upwards of 8-9 + euros a bunch. Bread is fairly reasonable however even that has seen an increase. Meat products are phenomenal. Between 8-10 euros a kilo for chicken breast, ground beef or similar.
Dining out? – I wouldn’t suggest it if you’re on a budget and don’t want to resort to McDonald’s. Restaurant menus change and increase in price at will and the excuse used is increase in import and export fees. I side to love dining out but it’s no longer possible or viable. A burger can cost you between 8-15 euros and usually nothing special. At some places that is just the burger on it’s own. A pizza is topping €10, if you’re a couple of people that’s around €20 and you haven’t even started on drinks yet. Add another €4+ for a bottle of water and €10 perhaps for a bottle of wine. €3-4 euros or up for a beer at sit down restaurant. Do the math. It could cost you 50 euros for a simple no frills lunch. Remember Malta’s minimum wage? Anyone on that rate would not be able to spend that much. I feel sorry for families with kids who have a car, insurances, rent or mortgage, bills and mouths to feed. It is not uncommon to see public posts from families stating that they spend €800 + on groceries a month and that’s not with any luxuries thrown in.
The point of my review is, not to rely on what you always see online but ask the locals who have to endure it daily. I urge anyone to join the Expats Malta and the Are you being Served groups on Facebook to see locals comments and expats comments first hand. Malta used to be spectacular but has slowly depleted into an inflated concrete jungle solely existing on foreign investment while the Maltese have been left to struggle.
Hi Eric,
So a 1500€ salary net per month (excluding housing) Is a good salary for a single person or not?
Regards,
Mo
Malta think very thorough and do your proper research for us it was not worth it together with at least 50 people working in gaming that left the island for the same apparent reasons
No it’s not I provide a family of 2 and I’m on six figure salary annual. I live in a penthouse in st Julian’s and I have to say 1500 euro is absolute rubbish to provide for one person. More like 2500 euro after tax and even than it’s not a massive pay but depending where you decide to stay (South is 60/70% lower on rent than North)
Given the above I am having a senior position in gaming. Knowing the current trend, that I see among colleagues they are all leaving on 2023 simply because it does not add up to the quality of life of what they had in their home country.
We are moving back to Amsterdam after too. Much struggles and stress among both the Maltese government, no common sense and pretty much the most not intelligent country we have ever lived in.