Moving to Malta from Puerto Rico

moving to

What to Expect

Considering a move from Puerto Rico to Malta? Here's how the two compare on cost, climate, safety, and more.

If you moved from Puerto Rico to Malta, you would find that Malta is 16.2% more expensive than Puerto Rico overall. A $75,000 salary in Puerto Rico would need to be roughly €71,066 in Malta to maintain the same lifestyle. You’ll also switch from driving on the right to the left.

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How Far Will Your Money Go?

A breakdown of how everyday costs differ between Puerto Rico and Malta.

What does your salary buy?

$75,000 €71,066

To maintain the same standard of living in Malta

Calculate with your salary →

How key spending categories compare

Restaurants

pay 26.9% more

Groceries

pay 22.4% less

Transportation

pay 56.0% more

Housing

pay 0.2% more

Childcare

pay 2.8% more

Entertainment and Sports

pay 14.0% more

See full cost of living breakdown
Exchange rate: 1 USD = 0.8744 EUR (July 2026)

Data: MyLifeElsewhere's crowdsourced cost of living database, with prices submitted and updated by users worldwide. Exchange rates are refreshed regularly from public sources.

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Key Indicator Comparison

The numbers behind daily life in Malta compared to Puerto Rico.

Is it safe?

Homicide rate United Nations SDG Indicators, 2023

per 100,000 people per year

PR
14.2
MT
0.6
Road traffic deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

per 100,000 people per year

PR
12.5
MT
1.9

Malta performs significantly better than Puerto Rico across all safety metrics.

What about the environment?

CO₂ emissions per capita World Bank, 2024

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

PR
4.8t
MT
3.2t

Malta performs significantly better than Puerto Rico across all environment metrics.

Will I have good infrastructure?

Broadband per 100 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

fixed broadband subscriptions — key for remote work

PR
21.0
MT
43.0
Water stress level United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

higher means greater strain on freshwater supply

PR
19.5%
MT
78.3%

Malta generally does better on infrastructure, though Puerto Rico leads in water stress level.

What are the job prospects?

Unemployment rate The World Factbook, 2023

percentage of the labour force without work

PR
6.0%
MT
3.1%
GDP per capita The World Factbook, 2023

a broad measure of economic output per person

PR
$43,000
MT
$57,200

Malta generally does better on employment & economy, though Puerto Rico leads in top income tax rate.

Is it good for families?

Life expectancy The World Factbook, 2022

average years of life at birth

PR
81.7 yrs
MT
83.2 yrs
Infant mortality The World Factbook, 2022

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

PR
6.0
MT
4.5

Malta performs significantly better than Puerto Rico across all family life metrics.

Data: Puerto Rican Department of Treasury, The World Factbook, United Nations SDG Indicators, World Bank

Visitor Visa Requirements

Short-stay tourist visa rules between Puerto Rico and Malta. To live, work, or study long-term in Malta, you'll need a separate residence or work visa — check Malta's immigration authority.

Malta passport

Malta passport holder visiting Puerto Rico

Electronic Travel Authorisation
Malta passport holders need an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) to enter Puerto Rico.

Data: Henley Passport Index. Check with the destination country's embassy for the most current requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it cheaper to live in Malta than Puerto Rico?

On average Malta is around 8% pricier than Puerto Rico, with notable variation by city.

How much money do I need to move to Malta?

Budget about €17,766 for 3 months in Malta (based on a $75,000 comparable annual salary), then add the one-off costs: flights, shipping, a rental deposit, and visa fees.

Can I work remotely from Malta?

Connectivity is usually fine (Malta: 43.0 fixed broadband per 100). What actually decides it is legal: does Malta offer a digital nomad visa, will your employer permit overseas work, and where are you tax-resident?

Is Malta safe for expats?

Malta performs significantly better than Puerto Rico across all safety metrics. The homicide rate in Malta is 0.6 per 100,000 people, compared to 14.2 in Puerto Rico.

What language do they speak in Malta?

The official languages in Malta are English and Maltese. In Puerto Rico, the official languages are English and Spanish.

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At a Glance

PR MT
Population 3,098,423 464,186
Currency United States Dollar ($) Euro (€)
Languages English, Spanish English, Maltese
Driving side Right Left
Calling code +1 +356
Time zones 1 1
Emergency number 112