EUROCOSTSCOUNTRY COMPARISON · UPDATED 2026-07-15
Albania vs Malta: taxes, salary and cost of living
A move between Albania and Malta is not simply a choice between a cheap and an expensive country; income, rent and taxation pull the result in different directions.
Albania vs Malta at a glance
| Indicator | Albania | Malta |
|---|---|---|
| Standard VAT | 20% | 18% |
| Income tax | 23% | 0-35% |
| Social contributions | 11.2% | 20% |
| Tax burden | 31% | 29.8% |
| Average monthly salary | €753.15 | €2,250 |
| Studio rent | €406.5 | €1,037 |
| Monthly food estimate | €245 | €350 |
| Gasoline | 1.76 €/L | 1.34 €/L |
| Electricity | 0.11 €/kWh | 0.13 €/kWh |
Salary advantage and purchasing power
Malta records the higher listed monthly salary. The gap is €1,496.85, approximately 66.5% relative to the lower figure. Within the numeric EuroCosts sample, Albania ranks 26 of 27 for salary and Malta ranks 16 of 27. Currency conversion and salary methodology can materially change a relocation budget.
Housing pressure and everyday spending
Albania has the lower listed studio rent by €630.5, a 60.8% difference relative to the higher rent. Albania sits 4 of 37 and Malta 29 of 37 in the available low-to-high rent ranking. Albania also has the lower food estimate, so the housing result is reinforced by groceries.
After subtracting only the listed rent and food estimates, the simplified remainder is €101.65 in Albania and €863 in Malta. This leaves €761.35 more in Malta, before utilities, transport, healthcare, childcare or personal taxes not already reflected in salary.
VAT and personal tax context
Malta has the lower listed tax burden by 1.2 percentage points. Standard VAT is 20% in Albania versus 18% in Malta. Neither measure is a substitute for an individual payroll simulation.
Driving and mobility costs
Malta has the lower listed gasoline price by €0.42 per litre. For a driver buying 50 litres a month, that headline difference is about €21 monthly, before insurance, parking and road charges.
Choosing by relocation scenario
For a remote worker paid from abroad, housing and daily costs may matter more than the local salary ranking; on that narrow view, Albania deserves closer attention. A locally employed professional should instead begin with salary and payroll definitions.
Where the comparison lands
Malta produces the stronger simplified monthly remainder in this dataset, while Albania leads on listed rent. Your income source determines which advantage matters more.
Sources and data references
- PwC standard VAT rates
- PwC personal income tax rates
- PwC corporate income tax rates
- EuroCosts data scope and generation process
Explore Albania comparisons · Explore Malta comparisons