Compare countries · Italy vs Malta
Italy vs Malta
Across 11 comparable indicators: Italy leads on 4, Malta on 5, 2 effectively tied. Which trade-offs matter is yours to weigh; the rows below show where each country wins, with sources.
Quick answers
Is Italy cheaper than Malta?
Numbeo's 2026 cost-of-living index (NYC = 100) puts Italy at 61.4 and Malta at 56.8. Malta is about 7% cheaper overall.
Which has the higher quality of life, Italy or Malta?
On the UN Human Development Index, Italy scores 0.915 and Malta scores 0.924. The two are effectively tied. Single indexes hide trade-offs; the full comparison above shows where each country wins.
What is life like in Italy compared to Malta?
GNI per capita runs $42,080 in Italy against $41,440 in Malta; people live 84.0 years on average against 83.0; Numbeo users rate healthcare 65 against 53. Those are national averages and they hide the thing you actually feel: capital-city costs run well ahead of the national figure in most countries, and rural provision of healthcare and internet often lags the number shown here. The table below splits it indicator by indicator.
Head to head
Cost of living index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
Italy
61.4
Worse than 82% of countries
Malta
56.8
Worse than 79% of countries
Malta: 7% cheaper overall.
Rent index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
Italy
20.5
Worse than 70% of countries
Malta
28.2
Worse than 86% of countries
Italy: 27% cheaper rents.
Perceived street safety
Numbeo Safety Index 2026
Italy
52.7
Worse than 57% of countries
Malta
57.0
Better than 56% of countries
Malta: higher perceived safety (57.0 vs 52.7).
Human Development Index
UNDP Human Development Report
Italy
0.915
Better than 84% of countries
Malta
0.924
Better than 88% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
GDP per person (PPP)
World Bank · 2025
Italy
$62,803
Better than 84% of countries
Malta
$72,210
Better than 88% of countries
Malta: 15% higher income per person.
Life expectancy
World Bank · 2024
Italy
84.0 yrs
Better than 95% of countries
Malta
83.0 yrs
Better than 89% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
Healthcare index
Numbeo Healthcare Index 2026
Italy
64.9
Around the global middle
Malta
53.3
Worse than 84% of countries
Italy: better-rated healthcare (64.9 vs 53.3).
Fixed broadband speed
Ookla Speedtest Global Index
Italy
114 Mbps
Better than 62% of countries
Malta
209 Mbps
Better than 81% of countries
Malta: 82% faster fixed internet.
Press freedom
RSF World Press Freedom Index
Italy
65/100
Better than 68% of countries
Malta
61/100
Better than 62% of countries
Italy: freer press (65 vs 61 of 100).
Happiness
World Happiness Report (Cantril ladder 0–10)
Italy
6.57
Better than 74% of countries
Malta
6.44
Better than 71% of countries
Italy: happier on the Cantril ladder (6.57 vs 6.44).
Climate pleasantness
Numbeo Climate Index 2026
Italy
89.8
Better than 74% of countries
Malta
97.8
Better than 97% of countries
Malta: more pleasant climate rating (97.8 vs 89.8).
Not comparable for this pair
- Peace — Global Peace Index: The Global Peace Index doesn't cover one of these countries.
- English proficiency: EF doesn't score one of these countries — usually because English is a native language there.
Deciding between Italy and Malta for real?
Indexes can't weigh your budget, your timeline or your dealbreakers. The matcher asks, then answers with this same data.
Find your match →Full Italy profile →
70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.
Full Malta profile →
70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.