Survivability Rankings for Smoke Shop in Los Angeles
StreetSpring's 2026 analysis ranks the best and worst neighborhoods in Los Angeles to open a Smoke Shop, from Boyle Heights (80% survival) to Lakewood V...
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: Boyle Heights — 80% average survivability for Smoke Shop
- Neighborhoods at or above 70%: 68 of 71 analyzed
- City-wide average: 77% for Smoke Shops
- Most challenging area: Lakewood Village at 73%
- Revenue advantage (top vs. avg location): ~10.0% more expected revenue in Boyle Heights
- Data freshness: 2026 data · Full methodology →
Table of Contents
- Summary
- 10 Best Neighborhoods
- Where Would a Smoke Shop Make the Most Money?
- What Should I Consider?
- Where Should I Start?
- FAQ: Best Neighborhoods
- FAQ: Can a Smoke Shop Succeed in Lower-Ranked Areas?
- FAQ: How Often Are Rankings Updated?
- FAQ: Is a Smoke Shop a Good Tenant?
- Landlord Survivability Data
- Best Neighborhoods for Any Business
Summary
Of all the neighborhoods in and around Los Angeles, Boyle Heights ranks #1 for opening a Smoke Shop with 80% average chance of surviving more than 2 years, with the best locations offering 85% and the most challenging locations in Boyle Heights at 75%. The worst neighborhoods include Lakewood Village with 73% average chance. These averages are directional, not definitive; the best decision comes from analyzing your specific storefront.
What Are the 10 Best Neighborhoods in and Around Los Angeles to Open a Smoke Shop?
Boyle Heights ranks #1 of 71 neighborhoods analyzed in and around Los Angeles for Smoke Shop survivability, with a 80% chance of lasting two or more years as of 2026. The top 10 neighborhoods are:
| Rank | Neighborhood | Average Locations | Best Locations | Challenging Locations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Boyle Heights | 78.0% – 82.0% | 83.0% – 85.0% | 75.0% – 76.0% |
| 2 | El Dorado Park | 77.0% – 82.0% | 83.0% – 85.0% | 73.0% – 75.0% |
| 3 | Belmont Shore | 77.0% – 81.0% | 79.0% – 81.0% | 76.0% – 77.0% |
| 4 | San Pedro | 76.0% – 81.0% | 82.0% – 84.0% | 72.0% – 73.0% |
| 5 | Lincoln Heights | 76.0% – 80.0% | 81.0% – 83.0% | 72.0% – 74.0% |
| 6 | Santa Anita | 76.0% – 80.0% | 79.0% – 80.0% | 74.0% – 76.0% |
| 7 | Atwater Village | 76.0% – 80.0% | 79.0% – 81.0% | 74.0% – 76.0% |
| 8 | Bristol Warner | 76.0% – 80.0% | 77.0% – 79.0% | 76.0% – 78.0% |
| 9 | Eastside | 76.0% – 80.0% | 80.0% – 82.0% | 73.0% – 75.0% |
| 10 | Elysian Park | 76.0% – 80.0% | 80.0% – 81.0% | 75.0% – 77.0% |
Market conditions are changing daily and it is best to use StreetSpring's most up-to-date data. Real-time data from StreetSpring accounts for recent openings, closures, and seasonal shifts that static rankings cannot.
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 Los Angeles Would a Smoke Shop Make the Most Money?
In Boyle Heights, the best possible location offers the opportunity of making ~10.0% more than the average location in or around Los Angeles.
On the other hand, in Lakewood Village, the worst possible location could result in making ~9.5% less than the average location in the city.
The difference between success and failure often comes down to where you sign the lease. Opening a Smoke Shop in Los Angeles requires careful location choice. Across 71 neighborhoods analyzed, the overall average survival chance for a new Smoke Shop is 77% 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 Smoke Shop in or Around Los Angeles?
When selecting a location for a Smoke Shop in or around Los Angeles, 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. The analysis behind these rankings spans millions of data points across competition, spending, and mobility. Clustering works when it draws more customers to the area than any single business could alone. These forecasts are generated using StreetSpring's unique analytical framework. 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 Los Angeles Should I Start a Smoke Shop?
StreetSpring's analysis shows the best areas are Boyle Heights, El Dorado Park, and Belmont Shore, while the most challenging neighborhoods would be Lakewood Village, Pico Robertson, and Century City. However, individual locations vary widely, and even in lower-scoring neighborhoods there are pockets that perform exceptionally well. The live platform incorporates the most recent competitor, vacancy, and spending data for your exact address.
Related Articles:
- Business Survivability Rankings: Los Angeles
- Neighborhood Survivability Rankings: Los Angeles
- National City Survivability: Smoke Shop
- National Neighborhood Survivability: Smoke Shop
What Are the Best Neighborhoods in Los Angeles to Open a Smoke Shop?
Based on StreetSpring's 2026 analysis, the top neighborhood for a Smoke Shop in Los Angeles is Boyle Heights with 80% average survivability, followed by El Dorado Park and Belmont Shore. 68 of 71 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 Smoke Shop Succeed in Lower-Ranked Neighborhoods in Los Angeles?
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. For the most current predictions, visit StreetSpring to analyze your specific location in real-time. Always check your specific address in StreetSpring's live platform for the most accurate prediction.
How Often Are Smoke Shop Rankings in Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles.
Is a Smoke Shop a Good Tenant for Los Angeles Landlords?
In Boyle Heights, StreetSpring forecasts a 78.0% – 82.0% 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 Los Angeles
Landlords in Los Angeles's top three neighborhoods for Smoke Shop can expect the following average survivability for new tenants:
- Boyle Heights: 78.0% – 82.0%
- El Dorado Park: 77.0% – 82.0%
- Belmont Shore: 77.0% – 81.0%
See which business types are most likely to succeed at your property address right now.
Our tool delivers pinpoint accuracy down to the exact storefront location for any business category.
Related: How Landlord Representatives Can Reduce Vacancy & Increase Tenant Longevity
What Are the Best Neighborhoods in or Around Los Angeles for My Business Overall?
You can see the best neighborhoods in or around Los Angeles to open any type of business in our article Neighborhood Survivability Rankings: Los Angeles.
Related Resources
- Business Survivability Rankings: Los Angeles — See how Smoke Shop compares to all other business types in Los Angeles
- Best Cities to Open a Smoke Shop in the US — National city-level survivability rankings for Smoke Shop
- Business Survivability in Boyle Heights, Los Angeles — All business types ranked in the #1 neighborhood
- Business Survivability in El Dorado Park, Los Angeles — All business types ranked in the #2 neighborhood
- Business Survivability in Belmont Shore, Los Angeles — All business types ranked in the #3 neighborhood
Technical note: Aggregated survivability rankings for Los Angeles are available in machine-readable format for research and integration purposes.
View technical data for Los Angeles
StreetSpring recalculates survivability using the latest competitive, demographic, and walkability data, so the live score may differ from the static ranges shown here.