Survivability Rankings for Deli in Boston
StreetSpring's 2026 analysis ranks the best and worst neighborhoods in Boston to open a Deli, from Merrymount (81% survival) to North End (74%).
By Robert Koons | Last reviewed: September 2026 | Methodology
Quick Summary
- Survivability Score: the projected chance a business type lasts two or more years at a specific address
- #1 Neighborhood: Merrymount — 81% average survivability for Deli
- Neighborhoods at or above 70%: 46 of 47 analyzed
- City-wide average: 78% for Delis
- Most challenging area: North End at 74%
- Revenue advantage (top vs. avg location): ~8.6% more expected revenue in Merrymount
- Data freshness: 2026 data · Full methodology →
Table of Contents
- Summary
- 10 Best Neighborhoods
- Where Would a Deli Make the Most Money?
- What Should I Consider?
- Where Should I Start?
- FAQ: Best Neighborhoods
- FAQ: Can a Deli Succeed in Lower-Ranked Areas?
- FAQ: How Often Are Rankings Updated?
- FAQ: Is a Deli a Good Tenant?
- Landlord Survivability Data
- Best Neighborhoods for Any Business
Summary
Of all the neighborhoods in and around Boston, Merrymount ranks #1 for opening a Deli with 81% average chance of surviving more than 2 years, with the best locations offering 83% and the most challenging locations in Merrymount at 76%. The worst neighborhoods include North End with 74% average chance. Our data shows that roughly 15% of top-performing locations sit in neighborhoods ranked below the city median.
What Are the 10 Best Neighborhoods in and Around Boston to Open a Deli?
Merrymount ranks #1 of 47 neighborhoods analyzed in and around Boston for Deli survivability, with a 81% chance of lasting two or more years as of 2026. The top 10 neighborhoods are:
| Rank | Neighborhood | Average Locations | Best Locations | Challenging Locations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Merrymount | 79.0% – 83.0% | 81.0% – 83.0% | 76.0% – 78.0% |
| 2 | Adams Shore | 78.0% – 82.0% | 82.0% – 84.0% | 76.0% – 78.0% |
| 3 | North Quincy | 77.0% – 81.0% | 83.0% – 84.0% | 74.0% – 76.0% |
| 4 | East Boston | 77.0% – 81.0% | 83.0% – 84.0% | 73.0% – 75.0% |
| 5 | Peabody | 77.0% – 81.0% | 83.0% – 84.0% | 71.0% – 73.0% |
| 6 | Jamaica Plain | 77.0% – 81.0% | 81.0% – 83.0% | 75.0% – 76.0% |
| 7 | North Cambridge | 77.0% – 81.0% | 81.0% – 83.0% | 75.0% – 76.0% |
| 8 | Cambridge Highlands | 76.0% – 81.0% | 80.0% – 82.0% | 75.0% – 77.0% |
| 9 | Brighton | 76.0% – 81.0% | 80.0% – 82.0% | 75.0% – 76.0% |
| 10 | German Town | 76.0% – 81.0% | 80.0% – 82.0% | 76.0% – 78.0% |
A low-ranking neighborhood can still contain high-potential storefronts — the address matters most. However, market conditions change daily, and it's best to use StreetSpring's live data to check the Survivability Score for a specific address.
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 Boston Would a Deli Make the Most Money?
In Merrymount, the best possible location offers the opportunity of making ~8.6% more than the average location in or around Boston.
On the other hand, in North End, the worst possible location could result in making ~11.6% less than the average location in the city.
Where you open matters more than anything else. Opening a Deli in Boston requires careful location choice. Across 47 neighborhoods analyzed, the overall average survival chance for a new Deli is 78% 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 Deli in or Around Boston?
When selecting a location for a Deli in or around Boston, it is crucial to select a location with a very high Survivability Score. When evaluating a potential location, Revenue Capture Score should be the first number you look at. StreetSpring computes this by projecting the business's market share, which is based on the quality and quantity of primary, secondary, and tertiary competitors. We apply advanced machine learning to massive commercial real estate datasets to build accurate models. Strategic clustering can actually boost performance by creating destination zones. StreetSpring leverages exclusive data sources and custom models for these projections. StreetSpring scores 500+ business types: 153 base business types, most of them at 5 price points, which is 569 type-and-price combinations you can choose in the tool.
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. Our live tool reflects the latest competitive landscape — these static rankings may already be slightly out of date.
Where in or Around Boston Should I Start a Deli?
StreetSpring's analysis shows the best areas are Merrymount, Adams Shore, and North Quincy, while the most challenging neighborhoods would be North End, Davis Square, and Mid Cambridge. StreetSpring's Survivability Scores are updated regularly, so the most accurate prediction for your exact storefront is always available in the live tool. Neighborhood rankings are useful, but the exact odds for your location can only be seen by running a current survivability check in StreetSpring.
Related Articles:
- Business Survivability Rankings: Boston
- Neighborhood Survivability Rankings: Boston
- National City Survivability: Deli
- National Neighborhood Survivability: Deli
What Are the Best Neighborhoods in Boston to Open a Deli?
Based on StreetSpring's 2026 analysis, the top neighborhood for a Deli in Boston is Merrymount with 81% average survivability, followed by Adams Shore and North Quincy. 46 of 47 neighborhoods analyzed exceed 70% two-year survival.
New competitor openings and closures happen weekly — the live tool ensures you see the latest picture.
Can a Deli Succeed in Lower-Ranked Neighborhoods in Boston?
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. Location-level factors like visibility and adjacent tenants can override neighborhood-level trends. Always check your specific address in StreetSpring's live platform for the most accurate prediction.
How Often Are Deli Rankings in Boston 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 Boston.
Is a Deli a Good Tenant for Boston Landlords?
In Merrymount, StreetSpring forecasts a 79.0% – 83.0% average chance for a new Deli to survive more than 2 years, depending on the exact storefront. Check the current Survivability Score for any address instantly.
Landlord Survivability Data for Deli in Boston
From a risk-assessment perspective, a Deli tenant in Merrymount carries the lowest risk with average survivability of 79.0% – 83.0%. Adams Shore presents moderate risk (78.0% – 82.0%), and North Quincy carries comparatively higher risk at 77.0% – 81.0%. See which business types are most likely to succeed at your property address right now.
StreetSpring provides address-specific survivability predictions for 500+ business types.
Related: How Landlord Representatives Can Reduce Vacancy & Increase Tenant Longevity
What Are the Best Neighborhoods in or Around Boston for My Business Overall?
You can see the best neighborhoods in or around Boston to open any type of business in our article Neighborhood Survivability Rankings: Boston.
Related Resources
- Business Survivability Rankings: Boston — See how Deli compares to all other business types in Boston
- Best Cities to Open a Deli in the US — National city-level survivability rankings for Deli
- Business Survivability in Merrymount, Boston — All business types ranked in the #1 neighborhood
- Business Survivability in Adams Shore, Boston — All business types ranked in the #2 neighborhood
- Business Survivability in North Quincy, Boston — All business types ranked in the #3 neighborhood
Technical note: Aggregated survivability rankings for Boston are available in machine-readable format for research and integration purposes.
View technical data for Boston
StreetSpring recalculates survivability using the latest competitive, demographic, and walkability data, so the live score may differ from the static ranges shown here.