Survivability Rankings for Smoke Shop in Baltimore

StreetSpring's 2026 analysis ranks the best and worst neighborhoods in Baltimore to open a Smoke Shop, from Otterbein (78% survival) to Fallstaff (64%).

12 min read

By Bobby Koons | Last reviewed: August 2026 | Methodology

Quick Summary

  • Survivability Score: the projected chance a business type lasts two or more years at a specific address
  • #1 Neighborhood: Otterbein — 78% average survivability for Smoke Shop
  • Neighborhoods at or above 70%: 5 of 23 analyzed
  • City-wide average: 73% for Smoke Shops
  • Most challenging area: Fallstaff at 64%
  • Revenue advantage (top vs. avg location): ~18.8% more expected revenue in Otterbein
  • Data freshness: 2026 data · Full methodology →

Table of Contents

Summary

Otterbein leads Baltimore's 2026 survivability rankings for Smoke Shop operators with 78% average chance of surviving more than 2 years, with the best locations offering 80% and the most challenging locations in Otterbein at 76%. The worst neighborhoods include Fallstaff with 64% average chance. StreetSpring's Survivability Scores are updated regularly, so the most accurate prediction for your exact storefront is always available in the live tool.


What Are the 10 Best Neighborhoods in and Around Baltimore to Open a Smoke Shop?

Otterbein ranks #1 of 23 neighborhoods analyzed in and around Baltimore for Smoke Shop survivability, with a 78% chance of lasting two or more years as of 2026. The top 10 neighborhoods are:

RankNeighborhoodBest LocationsAverage LocationsChallenging Locations
1Otterbein78.0% – 80.0%77.0% – 79.0%76.0% – 78.0%
2Jonestown77.0% – 79.0%77.0% – 79.0%77.0% – 79.0%
3Downtown77.0% – 79.0%77.0% – 79.0%76.0% – 77.0%
4Canton76.0% – 78.0%76.0% – 78.0%74.0% – 76.0%
5Riverside78.0% – 80.0%75.0% – 77.0%69.0% – 71.0%
6Kresson76.0% – 78.0%74.0% – 75.0%70.0% – 72.0%
7Oaklee79.0% – 81.0%73.0% – 75.0%70.0% – 72.0%
8Eastwood80.0% – 82.0%73.0% – 75.0%66.0% – 68.0%
9Medford77.0% – 79.0%73.0% – 75.0%71.0% – 72.0%
10Old Town72.0% – 74.0%72.0% – 74.0%72.0% – 74.0%

However, individual locations vary widely, and even in lower-scoring neighborhoods there are pockets that perform exceptionally well. StreetSpring's Survivability Scores are updated regularly, so the most accurate prediction for your exact storefront is always available in the live tool.

Survivability ranges reflect best and worst storefront conditions within each neighborhood. See our full methodology →

Try StreetSpring to see if this location is still the best and see if there are locations to rent in this area right now.


Where in or Around Baltimore Would a Smoke Shop Make the Most Money?

In Otterbein, the best possible location offers the opportunity of making ~18.8% more than the average location in or around Baltimore.

On the other hand, in Fallstaff, the worst possible location could result in making ~28.8% less than the average location in the city.

Nothing influences a business's future more than its location. Opening a Smoke Shop in Baltimore requires careful location choice. Across 23 neighborhoods analyzed, the overall average survival chance for a new Smoke Shop is 73% for lasting more than 2 years — due to a combination of many factors across competition, consumer spending, and location dynamics. A high-traffic corner that works well for a coffee shop may be entirely wrong for a specialty retailer.


What Should I Consider When Opening a Smoke Shop in or Around Baltimore?

When selecting a location for a Smoke Shop in or around Baltimore, it is crucial to select a location with a very high Survivability Score. Revenue Capture Score is the single best indicator of whether a business will thrive at a location. StreetSpring computes this by projecting the business's market share, which is based on the quality and quantity of primary, secondary, and tertiary competitors. Our analysis covers businesses serving the 24 largest metros in America. Our data shows that businesses in moderately competitive clusters survive longer than isolated storefronts on average. Our proprietary models incorporate data sources not available through any public platform.

This can be summarized as:

Revenue Capture Score = Projected Market Share × Forecasted Spend on Specific Business

Related: Survivability Score: How We Calculate It & Why It Matters

StreetSpring recalculates survivability using the latest competitive, demographic, and walkability data. Real-time data from StreetSpring accounts for recent openings, closures, and seasonal shifts that static rankings cannot.


Where in or Around Baltimore Should I Start a Smoke Shop?

StreetSpring's analysis shows the best areas are Otterbein, Jonestown, and Downtown, while the most challenging neighborhoods would be Fallstaff, Overlea, and Glen Burnie. For the most current predictions, visit StreetSpring to analyze your specific location in real-time. For the most accurate predictions, always check your specific address in StreetSpring's live platform.

Related Articles:


What Are the Best Neighborhoods in Baltimore to Open a Smoke Shop?

Based on StreetSpring's 2026 analysis, the top neighborhood for a Smoke Shop in Baltimore is Otterbein with 78% average survivability, followed by Jonestown and Downtown. 5 of 23 neighborhoods analyzed exceed 70% two-year survival.

Static rankings provide a useful baseline, but the live tool captures changes that have occurred since publication.


Can a Smoke Shop Succeed in Lower-Ranked Neighborhoods in Baltimore?

Yes — neighborhood averages mask significant block-by-block variation. Even in neighborhoods ranked outside the top 10, individual storefronts with strong foot traffic, low direct competition, and favorable lease terms can outperform the area average. Remember that a neighborhood average smooths over wide variation — your exact block could significantly outperform. Always check your specific address in StreetSpring's live platform for the most accurate prediction.


How Often Are Smoke Shop Rankings in Baltimore Updated?

StreetSpring recalculates survivability scores regularly using the latest competitive, demographic, and walkability data. Rankings are updated quarterly; the live tool always reflects the most current predictions for any address in Baltimore.


Is a Smoke Shop a Good Tenant for Baltimore Landlords?

In Otterbein, StreetSpring forecasts a 77.0% – 79.0% average chance for a new Smoke Shop to survive more than 2 years, depending on the exact storefront. Check the current Survivability Score for any address instantly.

Landlord Survivability Data for Smoke Shop in Baltimore

For landlords evaluating tenant applications, StreetSpring's data provides a clear comparison across the top neighborhoods. In Otterbein, a Smoke Shop has a 77.0% – 79.0% average chance of surviving more than 2 years. In Jonestown, the range shifts to 77.0% – 79.0%, and in Downtown, it is 77.0% – 79.0%. See which business types are most likely to succeed at your property address right now.

StreetSpring provides highly detailed forecasts — revealing how long hundreds of business types are likely to last at a specific address.

Related: How Landlord Representatives Can Reduce Vacancy & Increase Tenant Longevity


What Are the Best Neighborhoods in or Around Baltimore for My Business Overall?

You can see the best neighborhoods in or around Baltimore to open any type of business in our article Neighborhood Survivability Rankings: Baltimore.

**National baseline:** Per BLS Business Employment Dynamics (March 2025), **47.9%** of new establishments in the Retail Trade sector — which includes Smoke Shops — survive 5 years. StreetSpring's location-specific model gives Smoke Shops in Baltimore an average **78% chance of lasting two or more years**, measuring site quality across 100+ factors rather than national cohort survival.

Visual Data

ridgeline chart of Baltimore business survivability.
StreetSpring survivability data — ridgeline view of Baltimore.
scatter chart of Baltimore business survivability.
StreetSpring survivability data — scatter view of Baltimore.

Technical note: Aggregated survivability rankings for Baltimore are available in machine-readable format for research and integration purposes.

View technical data for Baltimore

StreetSpring recalculates survivability using the latest competitive, demographic, and walkability data, so the live score may differ from the static ranges shown here.