How Malta compares across key indices
Cost of Living
63 vs NYC
100 = NYC
Safety Index
93/100
Healthcare
76/100
Quality of Life
178/200
How far your money goes in Malta
Cost of Living
63
100 = NYC baseline
Rent Index
47
100 = NYC rent
Groceries
63
100 = NYC groceries
Restaurant Prices
66
100 = NYC dining
How safe residents feel in Malta - based on surveys of people living there
Safety Index
93/100
Crime Index
2/100
Lower is better
0 point drop from day to night
Malta has 7 cities with Freedom Abroad estimates. Monthly costs for a single person range from $1,251 in San Pawl il-Baħar to $1,418 in Valletta. San Pawl il-Baħar leads on safety, scoring 95/100. San Pawl il-Baħar ranks highest for quality of life at 181/200.
San Pawl il-Baħar
$1,251/mo
San Pawl il-Baħar
95/100
San Pawl il-Baħar
181/200
Valletta
77/100
| City | Monthly Cost | Safety | Quality of Life | Healthcare | Pollution |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Valletta | $1,418 | 95/100 | 181/200 | 77/100 | 18 |
| San Pawl il-Baħar | $1,251 | 95/100 | 181/200 | 72/100 | 15 |
| Birkirkara | $1,251 | 95/100 | 181/200 | 72/100 | 15 |
| Mosta | $1,251 | 95/100 | 181/200 | 72/100 | 15 |
| Sliema | $1,251 | 95/100 | 181/200 | 72/100 | 15 |
| Qormi | $1,251 | 95/100 | 181/200 | 72/100 | 15 |
| Żabbar | $1,251 | 95/100 | 181/200 | 72/100 | 15 |
Freedom Abroad estimates are modeled for a single person including rent. Pollution: lower score = cleaner air. Click column headers to sort.
Compare Cities Side by Side
Detailed comparison of cost of living, safety, and quality of life
Healthcare system overview for Malta
Real coverage for real life abroad. Not travel insurance. Not hoping for the best.
A portion of affiliate revenue is donated to UNHCR
Air quality, water, and environmental conditions in Malta
Pollution Index
23/100
Lower is better
PM2.5
11.7ug/m3
Good
Based on 0 survey responses. Perception scores are 0–100 where higher is better unless noted.
Common questions about living in Malta, answered with data
Malta has a cost of living index of 63 relative to New York City (100). It is moderately affordable compared to the US. Monthly costs for a single person start around $1,418 in Valletta.
Malta has a safety index of 93/100, making it very safe for expats and travellers. Among cities with data, Valletta scores highest on safety at 95/100.
Valletta ranks highest for quality of life in Malta, scoring 181/200 in Freedom Abroad's modeled quality-of-life estimate. Monthly costs there run around $1,418/mo for a single person.
Malta scores 76/100 in Freedom Abroad's modeled healthcare estimate, making it excellent by global standards. This estimate reflects open public indicators for health outcomes and system capacity.
Yes. Malta's cost of living is roughly 37% lower than New York City and generally cheaper than most major US cities. Rent specifically is around 53% cheaper. This makes it a popular destination for remote workers looking to stretch their dollar.
Malta has a pollution index of 23/100 (lower = cleaner). This is relatively clean by global standards, making it appealing for those prioritising air quality and outdoor lifestyle.
Your pre-departure checklist for Malta
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Cost of Living
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Cost of living, safety, and quality-of-life figures on this page are Freedom Abroad estimates modeled from open public sources. Data sources
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