The problem of identifying latent (hidden, unobservable) changes in the preferences of the population regarding the characteristics that form the quality of life of the Russian population is described in the article. For this are performed: 1. analysis of theoretical approaches to assessing life satisfaction; 2. selection of factors that have the greatest impact on the quality of life (measured as the life satisfaction); 3. application of the structural modeling tool to variables affecting the formation of quality of life and life satisfaction. The object of research is the population of regions, cities and municipalities of the Russian Federation. Subject of research-indicators of quality of life and life satisfaction. The information basement of the study is built on the RLMS database, 2012-2016. Methodology and methods of research. To determine the preferences of the population of the regions of the Russian Federation in the context of subjective quality of life formation, the method of latent changes modeling related to structural modeling tools is used. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) is one of the methods which is especially frequently used in sociology and psychology for the analysis of connections and structures between time intervals.