Malta has a moderate cost of living with a CPI of 56.2 (NYC = 100). Groceries (index 56.8) and restaurants (index 62.4) are also moderately priced compared to NYC.

The property price to income ratio in Malta is 10.6 years, indicating a moderate housing market. The rent index is 26.5, suggesting rentals are relatively more affordable. There is no annual property tax in Malta.

Malta's purchasing power index is 90.0 (NYC = 100), indicating a moderate level of buying power.

Malta has a progressive income tax system with rates ranging from 0% to 35% for higher earners. The standard VAT rate is 18%, with reduced rates of 12%, 7%, 5%, and 0% for various goods and services. There is no annual property tax, but stamp duty (typically 5%) and property transfer tax (typically 8%) apply to transactions. Special tax programs exist for highly qualified individuals and non-EU residents.

Malta's business environment is supported by government initiatives and a growing startup ecosystem, particularly in fintech, gaming, and AI. It was ranked #59 globally in the 2025 Global Startup Ecosystem Index. While offering a stable regulatory environment and low corporate taxes, challenges include complex regulatory landscapes and high licensing fees.

Malta offers a high-quality, largely publicly funded healthcare system, ranking 5th globally by the WHO, accessible to legal residents contributing to social security. The pension system includes state pensions and occupational schemes, with recent reforms encouraging private contributions. Social security contributions also cover health insurance and other benefits.

Deposits in Malta are protected up to €100,000 (approx. USD 117,000) per depositor per bank under the statutory Depositor Compensation Scheme, which is based on EU directives. The Central Bank of Malta provides strong macro-prudential oversight and collaborates with the ECB under the Single Supervisory Mechanism, ensuring a stable and well-regulated banking sector. Malta was delisted from the FATF grey list in June 2022 after strengthening its anti-money laundering framework.