Sunday, 1 February 2026
The Savills Matcha Index suggests that café culture and everyday urban amenities play a measurable role in the long-term attractiveness of technology-oriented cities. According to the index, cities that offer a well-developed environment for daily life, work and informal interaction tend to be more successful in attracting technology companies and skilled professionals.
Developed by Savills, the Matcha Index uses café availability and quality, alongside the price of a matcha latte, as indicators of how cities perform in terms of services, lifestyle and social infrastructure. While the index is intentionally light in concept, Savills notes that the price of matcha is not assessed in isolation but serves as a proxy for the wider urban ecosystem.
Pavel Novák, Head of Office Agency at Savills, said: “While the Matcha Index may appear lifestyle-oriented, it actually provides insight into how cities function. The availability of services, measured through café infrastructure, supports everyday interactions and informal networking, which in the long term increases the attractiveness of cities for technology companies and other key businesses.”
In the global ranking, Tokyo placed first, supported by a broad café network, strong availability of matcha-based products and comparatively moderate pricing. London followed in second place, reflecting its extensive independent café scene and established coffee culture.
Savills notes that the results reinforce the view that successful technology cities are shaped not only by labour markets or office supply, but also by the quality of everyday urban life. Environments that naturally combine work, services and social interaction are seen as more resilient and competitive over time.
The index also highlights significant variation in matcha prices across global cities. New York recorded the highest average price at €5.34, followed by San Francisco (€5.29) and Los Angeles (€5.26). Prague ranked ninth, with an average price of €4.59.
Lower prices were observed in cities such as Toronto and Seoul, while Beijing recorded the lowest average price at €3.10.
Within Prague, Savills identifies Karlín, Holešovice and Smíchov as key technology hubs, alongside other established locations such as Prague Chodov, Jinonice and Brno. The highest local matcha prices were recorded in Prague 4 – Chodov, averaging €5.90, followed by Karlín (including Palmovka) and Brno, where prices are around €4.51.
Novák added: “Specific examples in Prague include Karlín and the increasingly strong position of Holešovice. It is not just about new office developments, but about the entire ecosystem – services, cafés and public space. These factors are now decisive in determining where companies choose to locate and where people want to work.”
According to Savills, the Matcha Index underlines a broader trend: as competition between cities intensifies, the quality of everyday urban experience is becoming an increasingly important factor alongside traditional real estate and labour market considerations.
