Malta has become an extremely popular destination for tourists, investors, and—in growing numbers—expats.

MDC has seen a growing number of clients interested in getting dual citizenship in Malta. The interest has risen over the last decade, with the last few years seeing a spike.

With all of that interest and investment coming in, it’s easy to think that maybe Malta is becoming an expensive place to live, especially since it offers such a beautiful Mediterranean climate and EU member benefits.

But is that true? To find out, we compared the cost of living in Malta to the USA. We made that comparison using the eight largest regular expenses, and we break it all down below.

1. Overall Cost of Living

Monthly Expenses (Single Person)

  • Malta: ~$1,300–$1,800
  • United States: ~$2,300–$2,600

 

Monthly Expenses (Family of Four)

  • Malta: ~$3,000–$4,000
  • United States: ~$5,000–$6,000

 

By and large, you can expect your new life in Malta to cost 20-30% less than your current life in the United States.

If you are planning to live in Valletta, Sliema, or St. Julian’s, you might start to approach the same cost of living as the US.

Takeaways

  • Overall, Malta have noticeably lower costs.
  • If you work in Malta on a local salary, you’ll need to consider that wages can be lower. So even though your costs are reduced, you might find that you have more or less the same purchasing power.

2. Housing and Utilities

Housing is where people usually feel cost of living the most. It’s such a big monthly expense, and it varies widely even in a single city.

 

Expense Malta United States
One-Bedroom Rent (City Center) $700–$1,100/month $1,400–$1,800/month
One-Bedroom Rent (Outside Ctr) $550–$900/month $1,000–$1,400/month
Three-Bedroom (City Center) $1,200–$1,800/month $2,200–$2,700/month
Utilities (for 85 m² Apt) $100–$150/month $150–$200/month

Takeaways

  • Apartment rentals in the major tourist areas like Sliema or St. Julian’s can be higher than elsewhere in Malta, but they generally remain lower than rents in major US hubs like New York or San Francisco.
  • Utilities can be slightly cheaper or on par with many parts of the US.

3. Food and Groceries

This is another non-negotiable, so we put it high on the list.

 

Grocery Item Malta United States
Milk (1 L) $0.90–$1.10 $0.90–$1.10
Loaf of Bread $1.00–$1.50 $2.00–$3.50
Rice (1 kg) $1.60–$2.20 $3.00–$4.00
Chicken Breast (1 kg) $6.00–$8.00 $9.00–$12.00
Apples (1 kg) $1.50–$2.50 $2.50–$4.00
Tomatoes (1 kg) $1.50–$2.50 $3.00–$5.00

Takeaways

  • Core grocery items—especially local produce—can be significantly cheaper in Malta, but certain imported items might be costlier due to shipping.
  • Seasonal eating is common, and fresh fish is always available, though prices may vary depending on the day’s catch and the specific island locale (Malta vs. Gozo, for instance).

4. Dining Out

Malta’s vibrant restaurant scene is influenced by Italian, Arabic, and British cuisine. But is it more expensive just because it’s so delicious? No.

 

Dining Out Malta United States
Inexpensive Lunch $8–$12 $15–$20
Mid-range Dinner for Two $40–$55 $60–$75
Fast Food Combo $7–$9 $8–$10
Domestic Beer (0.5 L) $2.50–$3.50 $4.00–$6.00
Cappuccino $1.50–$2.50 $3.00–$5.00

Takeaways

  • Going out for a meal in Malta can often be cheaper than in the US, especially for daily lunch specials or local cafés.
  • Upscale restaurants in Valletta or tourist-heavy areas can surpass typical American prices.

5. Transportation

Malta’s transportation network revolves around buses, taxis, and ride-hailing apps, with relatively short distances between towns and cities—it is, after all, an island.

 

Transportation Malta United States
One-Way Local Bus Ticket $1.50–$2.00 $2.50–$3.00
Monthly Transport Pass $30–$40 $60–$100
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff) $4.00–$5.00 $3.00–$5.00
Gasoline (1 L) $1.50–$1.70 $0.80–$1.20

Takeaways

  • Public transport is affordable in Malta, but you have to be aware of the tourists. In peak season, they can overwhelm the system.
  • Malta’s gasoline prices are high (a norm across the EU). So if you plan to drive frequently, factor in higher fuel costs and potential parking challenges.

6. Healthcare

Malta’s public system is generally considered good quality. If you need a little more assurance (or want to cut down wait times) you can supplement this with private insurance—which is also cheaper in Malta than in the US.

 

Healthcare Malta United States
Short Private Doctor’s Visit $40–$70 $150–$200+
Prescription Antibiotics (per box) $10–$15 $20–$30+
Basic Health Insurance (monthly) $40–$100 (private supplement) $300–$600+ (private coverage)

Takeaways

  • Malta’s public healthcare is accessible to residents, often at minimal or no direct cost.
  • Private insurance premiums in Malta tend to be considerably lower than US plans, which can represent the single biggest major savings for some expats.

7. Salaries and Purchasing Power

While Malta’s overall costs are lower than in the US, wages in Malta also tend to be lower, given the island nation’s smaller economy.

 

Indicator Malta United States
Average Monthly Salary (Net) $1,400–$1,700 $3,800–$4,400+
GDP per Capita ~$34,000–$38,000 ~$60,000–$70,000+
Months Covered by Salary (Single) ~1.0–1.2 months* ~1.6–2.0 months*

*Approximate measure of how many months of typical living expenses a single salary can cover.

Takeaways

  • If you can continue earning an American-level salary (or pension) while living in Malta, you stand to benefit substantially from the lower costs.
  • When relying solely on local wages, the financial advantage of cheaper living expenses is tempered.

8. Childcare and Education

Education and childcare costs shape a family’s monthly budget and it will even determine where they move. That makes it last (but certainly not least) in our eight-factor analysis.

 

Expense Malta United States
Daycare/Preschool (Monthly) $300–$500 $800–$1,300
International Primary School (Yearly) $4,000–$7,000 $12,000–$20,000+

Takeaways

  • Public schools are available for free in Malta, but private schooling is also more affordable here.
  • Childcare fees (for preschool or daycare) are also usually cheaper.

Is Malta Really That Much Cheaper?

For most US expats, Malta is much cheaper. If you live outside of the main tourist hubs, basically everything but gasoline will be noticeably less expensive for you.

But, in some cases, those savings won’t be quite so noticeable. If you rely on local wages and are dependent on car travel, things will still be more affordable—but the savings will not be as dramatic.