How Much Does It Cost to Live In Sliema?
Sliema is a very expensive city in Malta, probably due to the fact that it’s a major residential and commercial hub and a center where people go to do all their shopping, dining, and enjoy the café life this city has to offer.
It is, however, considerably more expensive than what is the country’s average, but still less expensive than most European important capitals.
The cost of your own living in this city depends solely on what your preferences and priorities are and how much you want to save up.
Malta : Cost of Living by City
RESTAURANTS
When it comes to restaurants, almost everyone in Sliema eats outside because it’s really healthy – and plus – it’s the social center of Malta, of course you’re going to eat outside! However, it is expensive: expect to pay around 10-12$ for a good fresh salad and for a meal in an inexpensive restaurant – almost 18$.
MARKETS
Prices in supermarkets are getting higher and higher too: some are claiming that they’re as high as in some of the most expensive countries in Europe. But there are still some tricks you can follow, for example: if you want to save some money Liquor, it’s best to go shopping in Pama or Lidl supermarket where the prices are much lower.
TRANSPORTATION
Public transport system is mainly of poor quality and badly organized, even in a well-visited city like Sliema. One-way ticket for public transport costs around 2$, 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 service are quite affordable.
UTILITIES (MONTHLY)
You would think that utilities would be much more expensive in Sliema, but they aren’t, especially not 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 Sliema too. A membership in a gym or a fitness club costs 60$. Prices for cinema tickets are the same as in many expensive cities in Europe – if you want to go see a movie, be ready to pay 10$ per ticket.
CLOTHING & SHOES
Since this city is the shopping hub of Malta, be ready for a bunch of stores and shopping malls. However, think twice before you head off into one of those stores, since the prices here are through the roof: on par with most European popular capitals like Paris or Rome. For example, quality jeans can cost around 80$ and quality sneakers are as much as 90$ a pair.
RENT PER MONTH
Rent is definitely the most expensive part of living in Sliema. 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 1000$, and if you want one a bit further away from the city, it’s still around 800$.
Cost of Living Averages Table for Sliema
*Note: All prices are indicated in USD.| Average Restaurant Prices | |
|---|---|
| Meal (Inexpensive Restaurant) | $17.34 |
| Domestic Beer (0.5 Liter) | $4.05 |
| Water (0.33 Liter) | $1.29 | Average Market Prices |
| Milk (1 Liter) | $1.01 |
| Loaf Bread (500g) | $1.39 |
| Eggs (12) | $2.66 | Average Transport Prices |
| One Way Ticket | $1.73 |
| Monthly Pass | $30.06 |
| Gasoline | $1.58 | Average Utilities Prices |
| Basic (Water, Electricity, Garbage, Heating, Cooling) | $110.04 |
| 1 min. of Prepaid Mobile Tariff Local | $0.22 |
| Internet (Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL) | $35.36 | Average Leisure Prices |
| Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult | $57.96 |
| Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour) | $26.01 |
| Cinema, 1 Seat, International Release | $9.25 | Average Clothing Prices |
| 1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Comparable) | $81.36 |
| 1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, etc...) | $37.38 |
| 1 Pair of Adidas Walking Shoes (Mid-Range) | $91.20 | Average Rent Prices |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Center | $1024.69 |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Center | $822.85 |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Center | $1994.21 |
How Does the Average Person Spend Their Money in Sliema?
The average person spends the biggest part of their money on rent – which is the most expensive toll on their salary.
After rent, people spend a huge bulk of their money on food – which only makes sense, for every single country – you have to eat, right?
Restaurants are the third on the pie chart of people’s expenses in Sliema, probably because they’re pretty pricey, while transportation follows since it’s an everyday necessity, and it isn’t exactly cheap here, either.
Clothing, shoes and accessories, as usual, draw the least money from Sliema’s consumers.
Average Costs Breakdown
Sliema: Average Salary, Minimum Wage & Mortgages
Citizens of Sliema have relatively reasonable salaries, with a minimum wage of around 900$.
Those that are renting, however, will probably have to set aside more than half of their salary for rent only, and then spend the other half on everything else.
Average monthly net salary is around 1500$ which is enough to cover all expenses and not have to worry about your existence.
If you plan on going to Sliema, though, and you’re wondering how much money would suffice for a month – around 1500$ would be your best bet – if you plan on living on a tight budget.
