South Bohemia has officially overtaken Prague as the best place to live in the Czech Republic, according to the latest Place for Living (Místo pro život) survey published by the Datank agency.

Once the top-ranked region, Prague has slipped to seventh place, with analysts pointing to crime, traffic, and social infrastructure as major concerns dragging the capital down.

This year marks the 15th edition of the nationwide study, which combines extensive data analysis with a public satisfaction survey.

The findings show that Prague now leads in several negative indicators, including the highest number of crimes per 1,000 inhabitants, the lowest crime clearance rate, and the highest rate of road accidents per 1,000 kilometers.

In contrast, the South Bohemian Region climbed to the top, praised for its well-balanced mix of safety, public services, and livability. According to researchers, it stood out particularly in the low number of traffic accidents, high number of grammar schools, completed apartments, and beds in social care facilities.

Other Regions on the Rise

The Hradec Králové Region took second place this year, moving up from third. It was recognized for having the highest number of pharmacies, a low student-teacher ratio, above-average hospital capacity, and minimal waste generation.

The Zlín Region, now third, scored high for its low youth unemployment, strong crime resolution, and the smallest average number of students per primary school class. It also boasts the highest capacity of elementary art schools and some of the lowest municipal waste levels in the country.

Meanwhile, the Ústí nad Labem Region was ranked last, followed by the Karlovy Vary Region, which was second to last. The two regions swapped positions compared to last year’s results.

Why Prague Is Falling Behind

While Prague still dominates economically, the capital faces growing problems that affect day-to-day quality of life. In addition to public safety concerns, the city struggles with high housing costs, a shortage of social service facilities, and overcrowded classrooms.

Another red flag is the gender pay gap, which is highest in Prague. Women in similar roles as men face the steepest wage disparities in the country, adding to broader concerns about social equity in the capital.

About the Survey

According to David Pavlát, research director at Datank, the agency compiled data from 23 independent sources, which were then standardized and ranked. The survey also incorporated input from 1,600 residents across all regions, ensuring a balanced and representative sample.

The data was collected in March 2025.

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