Survivability Rankings for Hair Salon in Chicago
StreetSpring's 2026 analysis ranks the best and worst neighborhoods in Chicago to open a Hair Salon, from Wicker Park (77% survival) to Northeast Area (...
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: Wicker Park: 77% average survivability for Hair Salon
- Neighborhoods at or above 70%: 36 of 99 analyzed
- City-wide average: 73% for Hair Salons
- Most challenging area: Northeast Area at 68%
- Revenue advantage (top vs. avg location): ~15.8% more expected revenue in Wicker Park
- Data freshness: 2026 data · Full methodology →
Table of Contents
- Summary
- 10 Best Neighborhoods
- Where Would a Hair Salon Make the Most Money?
- What Should I Consider?
- Where Should I Start?
- FAQ: Best Neighborhoods
- FAQ: Can a Hair Salon Succeed in Lower-Ranked Areas?
- FAQ: How Often Are Rankings Updated?
- FAQ: Is a Hair Salon a Good Tenant?
- Landlord Survivability Data
- Best Neighborhoods for Any Business
Summary
Wicker Park leads Chicago's 2026 survivability rankings for Hair Salon operators with 77% average chance of surviving more than 2 years, with the best locations offering 79% and the most challenging locations in Wicker Park at 75%. The worst neighborhoods include Northeast Area with 68% average chance. A low-ranking neighborhood can still contain high-potential storefronts: the address matters most.
What Are the 10 Best Neighborhoods in and Around Chicago to Open a Hair Salon?
Wicker Park ranks #1 of 99 neighborhoods analyzed in and around Chicago for Hair Salon survivability, with a 77% 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 | Wicker Park | 78.6% | 75.0% to 80.0% | 77.0% to 79.0% | 75.0% to 77.0% |
| 2 | Dunning | 78.6% | 73.0% to 78.0% | 79.0% to 81.0% | 72.0% to 74.0% |
| 3 | Heart of Chicago | 78.6% | 73.0% to 77.0% | 78.0% to 79.0% | 67.0% to 69.0% |
| 4 | Streeterville | 78.1% | 72.0% to 76.0% | 77.0% to 79.0% | 66.0% to 68.0% |
| 5 | Near North Side | 77.7% | 75.0% to 79.0% | 76.0% to 78.0% | 75.0% to 77.0% |
| 6 | Edgewater | 77.7% | 74.0% to 78.0% | 76.0% to 78.0% | 74.0% to 76.0% |
| 7 | Lake View East | 77.2% | 74.0% to 79.0% | 77.0% to 79.0% | 74.0% to 76.0% |
| 8 | Bowmanville | 77.2% | 74.0% to 78.0% | 77.0% to 79.0% | 73.0% to 75.0% |
| 9 | Sheffield Neighbors | 77.2% | 74.0% to 78.0% | 77.0% to 79.0% | 75.0% to 76.0% |
| 10 | Lincoln Park | 77.2% | 73.0% to 78.0% | 77.0% to 79.0% | 73.0% to 75.0% |
Our data shows that roughly 15% of top-performing locations sit in neighborhoods ranked below the city median. Static rankings provide a useful baseline, but the live tool captures changes that have occurred since publication.
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 Hair Salon Make the Most Money?
In Wicker Park, the best possible location offers the opportunity of making ~15.8% more than the average location in or around Chicago.
On the other hand, in Northeast Area, the worst possible location could result in making ~14.5% less than the average location in the city.
Location is one of the few things about a new business you can measure before it opens. Opening a Hair Salon in Chicago requires careful location choice. Across 99 neighborhoods analyzed, the overall average survival chance for a new Hair Salon is 73% 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 Hair Salon in or Around Chicago?
When selecting a location for a Hair Salon 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. The analysis behind these rankings spans millions of data points across competition, spending, and mobility. Moderate competition often indicates a healthy market with proven consumer demand. The prediction engine behind these rankings is entirely proprietary: developed in-house over years of research. 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. For the most accurate predictions, always check your specific address in StreetSpring's live platform.
Where in or Around Chicago Should I Start a Hair Salon?
For this business type, the highest-ranked neighborhoods are Wicker Park, Dunning, and Heart of Chicago, while the most challenging neighborhoods would be Northeast Area, Southeast Area, and Brighton Park. StreetSpring's Survivability Scores are updated regularly, so the most accurate prediction for your exact storefront is always available in the live tool. Real-time data from StreetSpring accounts for recent openings, closures, and seasonal shifts that static rankings cannot.
Related Articles:
- Business Survivability Rankings: Chicago
- Neighborhood Survivability Rankings: Chicago
- National City Survivability: Hair Salon
- National Neighborhood Survivability: Hair Salon
What Are the Best Neighborhoods in Chicago to Open a Hair Salon?
Based on StreetSpring's 2026 analysis, the top neighborhood for a Hair Salon in Chicago is Wicker Park with 77% average survivability, followed by Dunning and Heart of Chicago. 36 of 99 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 Hair Salon 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. Market conditions are changing daily and it is best to use StreetSpring's most up-to-date data. Always check your specific address in StreetSpring's live platform for the most accurate prediction.
How Often Are Hair Salon 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 Hair Salon a Good Tenant for Chicago Landlords?
In Wicker Park, StreetSpring forecasts a 75.0% to 80.0% average chance for a new Hair Salon to survive more than 2 years, depending on the exact storefront. Check the current Survivability Score for any address instantly.
Landlord Survivability Data for Hair Salon in Chicago
Landlords in Chicago's top three neighborhoods for Hair Salon can expect the following average survivability for new tenants:
- Wicker Park: 75.0% to 80.0%
- Dunning: 73.0% to 78.0%
- Heart of Chicago: 73.0% to 77.0%
You can see the Survivability Score for your location for any business right now.
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 Hair Salon compares to all other business types in Chicago
- Best Cities to Open a Hair Salon in the US: National city-level survivability rankings for Hair Salon
- Business Survivability in Wicker Park, Chicago: All business types ranked in the #1 neighborhood
- Business Survivability in Dunning, Chicago: All business types ranked in the #2 neighborhood
- Business Survivability in Heart of Chicago, 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.