Survivability Rankings for Barber Shop in Chicago
StreetSpring's 2026 analysis ranks the best and worst neighborhoods in Chicago to open a Barber Shop, from Lake View East (76% survival) to Cunningham (...
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: Lake View East: 76% average survivability for Barber Shop
- Neighborhoods at or above 70%: 12 of 99 analyzed
- City-wide average: 70% for Barber Shops
- Most challenging area: Cunningham at 65%
- Revenue advantage (top vs. avg location): ~20.1% more expected revenue in Lake View East
- Data freshness: 2026 data · Full methodology →
Table of Contents
- Summary
- 10 Best Neighborhoods
- Where Would a Barber Shop Make the Most Money?
- What Should I Consider?
- Where Should I Start?
- FAQ: Best Neighborhoods
- FAQ: Can a Barber Shop Succeed in Lower-Ranked Areas?
- FAQ: How Often Are Rankings Updated?
- FAQ: Is a Barber Shop a Good Tenant?
- Landlord Survivability Data
- Best Neighborhoods for Any Business
Summary
Lake View East leads Chicago's 2026 survivability rankings for Barber Shop operators with 76% average chance of surviving more than 2 years, with the best locations offering 78% and the most challenging locations in Lake View East at 75%. The worst neighborhoods include Cunningham with 65% average chance. Location-level factors like visibility and adjacent tenants can override neighborhood-level trends.
What Are the 10 Best Neighborhoods in and Around Chicago to Open a Barber Shop?
Lake View East ranks #1 of 99 neighborhoods analyzed in and around Chicago for Barber Shop survivability, with a 76% chance of lasting two or more years as of 2026. The top 10 neighborhoods are:
| Rank | Neighborhood | At a good address | Average Locations | Best Locations | Challenging Locations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lake View East | 77.3% | 74.0% to 77.0% | 77.0% to 79.0% | 74.0% to 76.0% |
| 2 | Lake View | 77.3% | 73.0% to 77.0% | 77.0% to 79.0% | 71.0% to 72.0% |
| 3 | Graceland West | 76.8% | 74.0% to 78.0% | 76.0% to 78.0% | 75.0% to 76.0% |
| 4 | Near North Side | 76.8% | 73.0% to 77.0% | 76.0% to 78.0% | 73.0% to 75.0% |
| 5 | Wrightwood Neighbors | 76.8% | 73.0% to 77.0% | 75.0% to 77.0% | 72.0% to 74.0% |
| 6 | Roscoe Village | 76.4% | 74.0% to 77.0% | 75.0% to 77.0% | 74.0% to 75.0% |
| 7 | Ravenswood | 76.4% | 72.0% to 76.0% | 76.0% to 78.0% | 72.0% to 74.0% |
| 8 | South Loop | 76.4% | 72.0% to 75.0% | 77.0% to 79.0% | 70.0% to 71.0% |
| 9 | West Town | 76.4% | 71.0% to 75.0% | 76.0% to 78.0% | 68.0% to 70.0% |
| 10 | Near West Side | 76.4% | 71.0% to 74.0% | 75.0% to 77.0% | 69.0% to 71.0% |
Our data shows that roughly 15% of top-performing locations sit in neighborhoods ranked below the city median. Because local conditions evolve weekly, the live survivability tool offers a more current snapshot than any published ranking.
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 Chicago Would a Barber Shop Make the Most Money?
In Lake View East, the best possible location offers the opportunity of making ~20.1% more than the average location in or around Chicago.
On the other hand, in Cunningham, the worst possible location could result in making ~19.4% less than the average location in the city.
Location selection is the most consequential decision any new business owner makes. Opening a Barber Shop in Chicago requires careful location choice. Across 99 neighborhoods analyzed, the overall average survival chance for a new Barber Shop is 70% for lasting more than 2 years, due to a combination of many factors across competition, consumer spending, and location dynamics. Survivability predictions are business-type-specific because consumer behavior differs fundamentally across categories.
What Should I Consider When Opening a Barber Shop in or Around Chicago?
When selecting a location for a Barber Shop in or around Chicago, it is crucial to select a location with a very high Survivability Score. Of all the variables StreetSpring analyzes, Revenue Capture Score has the strongest predictive power. 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 forecasting engine processes data from over 24 metro areas covering 180+ million consumers. Competition density is not inherently negative: it often signals an established customer base. 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. Static rankings provide a useful baseline, but the live tool captures changes that have occurred since publication.
Where in or Around Chicago Should I Start a Barber Shop?
The strongest survivability scores belong to Lake View East, Lake View, and Graceland West, while the most challenging neighborhoods would be Cunningham, Boulevard District, and Schorsch Village. However, individual locations vary widely, and even in lower-scoring neighborhoods there are pockets that perform exceptionally well. Market dynamics shift frequently; validate these insights with real-time data from StreetSpring.
Related Articles:
- Business Survivability Rankings: Chicago
- Neighborhood Survivability Rankings: Chicago
- National City Survivability: Barber Shop
- National Neighborhood Survivability: Barber Shop
What Are the Best Neighborhoods in Chicago to Open a Barber Shop?
Based on StreetSpring's 2026 analysis, the top neighborhood for a Barber Shop in Chicago is Lake View East with 76% average survivability, followed by Lake View and Graceland West. 12 of 99 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 Barber Shop Succeed in Lower-Ranked Neighborhoods in Chicago?
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. However, individual locations vary widely, and even in lower-scoring neighborhoods there are pockets that perform exceptionally well. Always check your specific address in StreetSpring's live platform for the most accurate prediction.
How Often Are Barber Shop Rankings in Chicago 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 Chicago.
Is a Barber Shop a Good Tenant for Chicago Landlords?
In Lake View East, StreetSpring forecasts a 74.0% to 77.0% average chance for a new Barber 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 Barber Shop in Chicago
For landlords evaluating tenant applications, StreetSpring's data provides a clear comparison across the top neighborhoods. In Lake View East, a Barber Shop has a 74.0% to 77.0% average chance of surviving more than 2 years. In Lake View, the range shifts to 73.0% to 77.0%, and in Graceland West, it is 74.0% to 78.0%. Our tool shows the survivability outlook for any business type at your exact address, updated weekly.
StreetSpring generates location-specific predictions tailored to your exact site.
Related: How Landlord Representatives Can Reduce Vacancy & Increase Tenant Longevity
What Are the Best Neighborhoods in or Around Chicago for My Business Overall?
You can see the best neighborhoods in or around Chicago to open any type of business in our article Neighborhood Survivability Rankings: Chicago.
Related Resources
- Business Survivability Rankings: Chicago: See how Barber Shop compares to all other business types in Chicago
- Best Cities to Open a Barber Shop in the US: National city-level survivability rankings for Barber Shop
- Business Survivability in Lake View East, Chicago: All business types ranked in the #1 neighborhood
- Business Survivability in Lake View, Chicago: All business types ranked in the #2 neighborhood
- Business Survivability in Graceland West, Chicago: All business types ranked in the #3 neighborhood
Technical note: Aggregated survivability rankings for Chicago are available in machine-readable format for research and integration purposes.
View technical data for Chicago
StreetSpring recalculates survivability using the latest competitive, demographic, and walkability data, so the live score may differ from the static ranges shown here.