Joining late to this convo but...
This summer of 2019 have been to both malia and ayia napa.
I've got to say Ayia beats malia hands down.
In ayia, the clubs are bigger, better and it's less of the just a bunch of sweaty lads in a fairly small club...
In Malia, the strip is small and the clubs are really not very big.
The only slight difference is that in malia you get into the clubs for free but in ayia you pay normally 10 euros unless there's a sick event on.
And yes flights to ayia might cost a bit more. But you can find some pretty cheap accom to negate this.
Clubs aside, ayia is just a nicer place. There's stuff for everyone, and for far more price ranges as well. So if you wanna go for a real nice meal or go for a nicer drink. It's there. But equally if you don't thats cool too.
Honestly, having gone both. take the jump and go ayia. You won't regret it.
hope this helps some people xx