Cost of Living in Malta 2026 — Rent, Food, Tax & BudgetMonthly Living Costs in Malta
Average prices from our cost dataset, re-checked on a rolling basis:
1BR Rent
per month, city average
3BR Rent
per month, city average
Groceries
per month, single person
Transport
per month, public transit pass
Utilities
per month, basic apartment
Meal Out
typical price per meal
Monthly budget (single person): €1,387 (1-bedroom rent + groceries + transport + utilities)
Monthly budget (couple): €1,654 (shared 1-bedroom rent, two of everything else)
These are national averages — actual costs vary by city and lifestyle.
How Expensive Is Malta Overall?
| Indicator | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost-of-living index (market data; higher = more expensive) | 67.9 |
| Rent index | 28.2 |
| Groceries index | 55.9 |
| Restaurant price index | 64.1 |
| Local purchasing-power index (higher = stronger) | 81.1 |
| Price level index (World Bank, 2024; US = 100) | 62.9 |
| Property price-to-income ratio | 10.6 |
Salaries by Sector
Typical gross annual salaries in Malta from our sector dataset:
| Sector | Typical gross annual (EUR) |
|---|---|
| IT & Software | €42,000 |
| Finance | €41,000 |
| Engineering | €38,000 |
| Healthcare | €31,000 |
| Construction | €29,000 |
| Education | €26,000 |
| Hospitality | €20,000 |
| Retail | €18,000 |
Taxes in Malta
Headline tax figures that shape your take-home pay:
| Tax | Rate / amount |
|---|---|
| Effective income tax at €90k gross | 14.6% |
| Net monthly pay at €90k gross | €5,695 |
| VAT / sales tax | 18% |
| Top personal income-tax rate | 35% |
Worked example: on a €90,000 gross salary, net pay is about €5,695 per month. After rent and essentials (€1,387), roughly €4,308 per month is left for savings and discretionary spending.
How Malta Compares to Its Neighbours
| Country | 1BR Rent | Groceries | Transport | Cost index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Malta | €1,025 | €241 | €26 | 67.9 |
| Italy | €729 | €309 | €35 | 72.7 |
| Spain | €895 | €207 | €54 | 68.4 |
| Portugal | €907 | €185 | €40 | 65 |
Quality of Life Metrics
Beyond cost, these factors shape everyday life in Malta:
Safety index
Healthcare index
Internet speed
English proficiency
Life expectancy
Expat satisfaction
What It Costs to Get In: Visas & Residence
We track 21 residence and visa routes for Malta — see the full Malta visa programme list.
Lowest documented income requirement among tracked routes: €1,000 per month — Student Visa (student route). Requirements change; always confirm on the official page before applying.
Our engine estimates a minimum financial viability of €1,351 per month to sustain a move to Malta.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Malta expensive?
Malta has a cost-of-living index of 67.9 (higher = more expensive). A 1-bedroom apartment averages €1,025 per month and a single person spends about €1,387 per month on rent plus essentials.
How much money do I need per month in Malta?
About €1,387 per month covers rent and essentials for a single person (1-bedroom rent + groceries + transport + utilities). A couple sharing a 1-bedroom apartment needs about €1,654 per month.
What is the average rent in Malta?
A 1-bedroom apartment averages €1,025 per month and a 3-bedroom apartment averages €1,400 per month in Malta. Prices vary significantly between city centres and smaller towns.
What do people earn in Malta?
Typical gross annual salaries in Malta range from €18,000 (Retail) to €42,000 (IT & Software), based on our sector dataset.
Which residence route has the lowest income requirement for Malta?
Among the 21 Malta residence routes we track, the lowest documented income requirement is €1,000 per month (Student Visa). Requirements change; always confirm on the official page before applying.
Ready for the next step? See the full Malta country profile and the Malta emigration guide.
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