Meet the Czech city that's happier than San Francisco

Kladno, a city just 25 kilometers west of Prague, has recently received an unexpected honor: it outranked San Francisco in the 2024 Happy City Index published by the British Institute for Quality of Life. Claiming the 112th spot globally with top marks for affordable living among other criteria, the city beat out San Francisco, which came in at 114th.

So, what makes Kladno – a city that boasts connections to hockey legend Jaromír Jágr, literary icon Karel Čapek, and Lego production – an attractive alternative to increasingly expensive Prague?

In recent years, Kladno has gained popularity among those working in Prague but feeling the strain of the capital’s skyrocketing housing market. As of early 2024, property prices in Kladno average around CZK 50,000 per square meter – nearly 25 percent less than in Prague, where the average price per square meter hovers around CZK 150,000.

According to the real estate website Realitymorava.cz, a 1+1 apartment in Kladno costs approximately CZK 3.3 million, compared to CZK 6.9 million for a similar property in Prague's central neighborhoods. Developers are responding to this growing demand by constructing new apartments and residential complexes here, eager to attract Prague-based workers seeking lower rents and more space.

"Kladno has huge potential," said Jakub Vais, co-owner and CEO of the EBM construction group, in a recent interview with Czech media. "It is full of civic amenities and has a railway. Czechs will not be able to afford apartments in Prague and will have to look for alternatives."

For those commuting to Prague from outside the capital, Kladno’s robust transport connections are a key advantage. The city ranks 13th in the Czech Republic for rail traffic, according to the Obce v Datech quality of life index, making it one of the best-connected cities in the country. The commute from Kladno’s central station to Prague’s main train station, Hlavní nádraží, takes about an hour, with transfers at either Nádraží Veleslavín or a tram stop.

Kladno is also integrated into the Prague Integrated Transport (PID) network, featuring over 20 bus lines, making it a practical option for those wanting to stay close to Prague while avoiding the capital’s steep property prices.

The upcoming direct train connection between Prague and Václav Havel Airport is set to enhance Kladno’s profile as a commuter city. 

Kladno is also home to one of Lego's most significant production facilities, which has been operational since 2000. The factory specializes in producing complex Lego products, including large-scale models for stores and theme parks worldwide.

The Kladno plant is crucial to Lego’s European supply chain, employing hundreds of locals in engineering, production, and logistics.

Kladno's sporting pride is evident in its hockey team, Rytíři Kladno, which competes in the Czech Extraliga, the highest ice hockey league in the country. The team has won the Czechoslovak Extraliga six times and plays at the 5,200-capacity ČEZ Stadium.

Legendary player Jágr returned to the club in the 2017-18 season and continues to play despite being over 50 years old. The city also has a football team, SK Kladno, competing in the Czech Football League, the third tier of Czech football.

Beyond its affordability, Kladno offers a strong quality of life. According to Obce v datech, the city ranks highly for access to healthcare, leisure activities, and green spaces thanks to the extensive Křivoklátsk and Džbán forested areas.

Not only is Kladno a popular commuter city, it also plentiful job opportunities, according to the Obce v datech portal. Out of the whole of Czechia, it has the 10th-highest number of job offers on job sites. 

It also scored particularly well on the Hospital Arrival Index – meaning it is among the best destinations in Czechia to reach a hospital quickly. The city also has an above-average number of pediatricians.

If you live in Kladno, you have reason to be happy – with lower comparative rents, good healthcare, and easy access to the capital, it may just be Czechia’s best-kept commuter secret.

While Kladno may be more affordable than Prague, the capital outranked its neighbor in the 2024 Happy City Index, coming in 67th overall. Aarhus, in Denmark, was the world’s “happiest” city.