National Neighborhood Survivability Rankings for Shoe Store
StreetSpring's 2026 nationwide analysis ranks the top neighborhoods across the 24 US metros in this ranking for Shoe Stores. See which neighborhoods offer the highest Survivability Scores.
Of all neighborhoods across the US analyzed in 2026, Palmer Square in Chicago offers the highest survivability for Shoe Store operators on Best: 90.7%. The top 25 neighborhoods nationwide span 12 different cities, demonstrating that exceptional opportunities for Shoe Stores exist across diverse markets. Because new competitors open and close each week, the exact survivability score for any specific address is always best verified in StreetSpring's live platform.
To understand the methodology behind these rankings, see our detailed guide: Survivability Score: How We Calculate It & Why It Matters.
Last reviewed: 2026-11-04 by Robert Koons, Founder & CEO, StreetSpring
Quick Summary
- Survivability Score: the projected chance a business type lasts two or more years at a specific address
- #1 Neighborhood: Palmer Square, Chicago: 90.7% Best for Shoe Store
- Best, Typical and Worst: Best is the average chance of lasting two or more years for the better of two addresses picked at random in the neighborhood, in a smaller space; Typical is the average address; Worst is the same for the worse of two, in a larger space. The ranking orders on Best
- Ranked neighborhoods: 1,947 across 24 major US cities
- Average across the 1,947 ranked neighborhoods: 70.0% Typical for Shoe Stores
- Top-25 average: 85.7% Typical, 15.7 points above the average across all ranked neighborhoods
- Data current as of: 2026 · Full methodology →
Table of Contents
- How neighborhoods compare nationwide
- Top 25 neighborhoods in the US
- Geographic patterns
- How to use this ranking
- Related resources
- Frequently asked questions
How do neighborhoods compare across the United States for Shoe Stores?
Across 1,947 ranked neighborhoods in 24 major US cities, StreetSpring's 2026 data shows the top 25 neighborhoods for Shoe Stores averaging 85.7% survivability at a typical address, against 70.0% for the average across the 1,947 ranked neighborhoods.
This 15.7-point gap is the distance between those two averages, both at a typical address. It compares projections for neighborhoods; the projection for any one storefront is made at its own address.
The cities with the most top-ranked neighborhoods for Shoe Stores are Los Angeles, Houston, Denver, Washington DC, Orlando, New York City, Boston, Baltimore and Miami. StreetSpring's model accounts for the distinction between complementary clustering and direct saturation when scoring Shoe Stores survivability at the address level.
Importantly, top-performing neighborhoods aren't concentrated in just a few cities. The top 25 neighborhoods represent 12 different cities. This means entrepreneurs focused on Shoe Stores can find exceptional opportunities across the United States, not just in traditionally strong markets.
Every site-selection decision starts with location, the one factor you can check before you sign a lease.
What are the best neighborhoods in the United States to open a Shoe Store?
The first, middle and last neighborhood in the table below, with the same three figures the table prints from each metro file: the box runs from the lowest to the highest address, and the white line is the typical address. Palmer Square, Chicago leads at 90.7% Best in 2026. Full methodology →
The top 25 neighborhoods nationwide for Shoe Stores are:
Neighborhoods are ordered on Best, the figure the ranking in each metro file uses.
| Rank | Neighborhood | City | Tier | Best | Typical | Worst |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Palmer Square | Chicago | Great | 90.74% | 88.3% | 85.3% |
| 2 | Lacy | Los Angeles | Great | 90.73% | 88.2% | 85.1% |
| 3 | Platt Park | Denver | Great | 90.72% | 89.1% | 86.8% |
| 4 | U Street Corridor | Washington DC | Great | 90.53% | 86.3% | 81.6% |
| 5 | Midtown | Houston | Great | 90.51% | 87.3% | 83.6% |
| 6 | Tropico | Los Angeles | Great | 90.48% | 86.2% | 81.6% |
| 7 | Colonial Town Center | Orlando | Great | 90.40% | 86.8% | 82.9% |
| 8 | Windsor Terrace | New York City | Great | 90.33% | 85.4% | 80.2% |
| 9 | Carroll Gardens | New York City | Great | 90.28% | 85.6% | 80.7% |
| 9 | Winter Hill | Boston | Great | 90.28% | 85.4% | 80.3% |
| 11 | Larchmont | Los Angeles | Great | 90.21% | 85.2% | 79.9% |
| 12 | Montebello | Baltimore | Great | 90.18% | 87.8% | 85.3% |
| 13 | Lake Ridge | Miami | Great | 90.09% | 83.3% | 77.7% |
| 14 | Tampa Heights | Tampa Bay | Great | 90.07% | 85.4% | 80.6% |
| 15 | Neartown/Montrose | Houston | Great | 90.04% | 85.3% | 80.5% |
| 16 | Hollywood | Los Angeles | Great | 90.03% | 83.9% | 78.5% |
| 17 | LeDroit Park | Washington DC | Great | 89.95% | 86.1% | 82.2% |
| 18 | Porter Square | Boston | Great | 89.90% | 85.7% | 81.5% |
| 19 | Poinciana Park | Miami | Great | 89.84% | 83.6% | 78.1% |
| 19 | Lorin | San Francisco | Great | 89.84% | 83.1% | 77.6% |
| 21 | New Northwood | Baltimore | Great | 89.79% | 83.9% | 78.5% |
| 22 | South Orange | Orlando | Good | 89.75% | 85.7% | 81.7% |
| 23 | Fairfax | Los Angeles | Great | 89.73% | 84.1% | 78.7% |
| 24 | Gulfgate Riverview/Pine Valley | Houston | Great | 89.60% | 84.4% | 79.2% |
| 25 | Heritage Eagle Bend | Denver | Great | 89.57% | 85.9% | 82.2% |
Best and Worst are the average results for the better and the worse of two addresses picked at random in the neighborhood: a weighted average of every scored location in which the best locations count the most for Best and the weakest count the most for Worst. Typical is the average address. Best is shown for a smaller space (half the standard size) and Worst for a larger one (half again as large), at the metro's median asking rent, using the same rent rule as our tool; Typical is at the market rent. Best is shown to two decimals in this table so that places with the same one-decimal figure can be told apart.
Survivability rankings at the neighborhood level describe typical conditions: any specific storefront may score higher or lower depending on its exact competitive environment.
For a full explanation of how survivability scores and ranges are calculated, see Survivability Score: How We Calculate It & Why It Matters.
What patterns emerge from the top-performing neighborhoods nationwide?
City Concentration
The top 25 neighborhoods span 12 different cities, with Los Angeles claiming 5 of the top spots (20%).
Breakdown of top 25 neighborhoods by city:
- Los Angeles: 5 neighborhoods (20% of top 25): View city guide
- Houston: 3 neighborhoods (12% of top 25): View city guide
- Denver: 2 neighborhoods (8% of top 25): View city guide
- Washington DC: 2 neighborhoods (8% of top 25): View city guide
- Orlando: 2 neighborhoods (8% of top 25): View city guide
- New York City: 2 neighborhoods (8% of top 25): View city guide
- Boston: 2 neighborhoods (8% of top 25): View city guide
- Baltimore: 2 neighborhoods (8% of top 25): View city guide
- Miami: 2 neighborhoods (8% of top 25): View city guide
- Chicago: 1 neighborhood (4% of top 25): View city guide
- Tampa Bay: 1 neighborhood (4% of top 25): View city guide
- San Francisco: 1 neighborhood (4% of top 25): View city guide
This distribution has practical implications for Shoe Stores operators: cities with multiple neighborhoods in the top 25 offer more site options within a single market, reducing relocation or expansion cost. Cities with a single top-25 neighborhood require more precise site selection: the advantage is concentrated in one area rather than spread across the metro.
The relatively even distribution of top neighborhoods across the 12 cities represented in the top 25 is consistent with a category where consumer demand is broadly distributed rather than concentrated in specific metros. For Shoe Stores operators, this means strong site opportunities exist in multiple markets: the key variable is neighborhood-level competitive conditions rather than city-level market size.
How can I use this neighborhood ranking to find the best location for a Shoe Store?
National rankings are a powerful starting point, but your final site decision should be validated at the address level. StreetSpring uses AI to project business survivability across U.S. neighborhoods, so you can check an address before a business opens there. Survivability moves from one address to the next within any neighborhood: this ranking narrows your search, and StreetSpring's live tool scores the address.
For the most accurate assessment:
- Consider neighborhoods in the top 25 as strong starting points
- Examine city-specific guides for additional neighborhood options in your target markets
- Use StreetSpring's address-level tool to evaluate specific storefronts within these neighborhoods
- Factor in your budget, operational requirements, and target demographics
Each neighborhood has detailed analysis available through its city guide, providing block-by-block survivability data for Shoe Stores.
See also: Best Cities for Shoe Store: our city-level comparison ranks which metros offer the strongest overall conditions for Shoe Stores.
Related Resources
Explore top cities represented in these neighborhoods:
- San Francisco: Best businesses and neighborhoods
- Denver: Best businesses and neighborhoods
- Baltimore: Best businesses and neighborhoods
- Tampa Bay: Best businesses and neighborhoods
- Washington DC: Best businesses and neighborhoods
National city rankings: Best cities for Shoe Stores
Essential resources:
- How StreetSpring calculates Survivability Scores
- Site selection for landlords
- AI tools for tenant representatives
- StreetSpring vs competitors
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the typical survivability range for Shoe Stores in top neighborhoods?
The top 25 neighborhoods nationwide for Shoe Stores average 85.7% survivability at a typical address. The average across the 1,947 ranked neighborhoods is 70.0%, also at a typical address. The gap between the two is 15.7 points. Each neighborhood's Best, Typical and Worst are in the table above.
How should a landlord use this ranking when evaluating tenants for Shoe Stores?
Landlords can use this national neighborhood ranking to assess whether their property is in a location favorable to Shoe Stores, and by extension, how likely a Shoe Store tenant is to maintain long-term occupancy. If your property is in one of the top 25 neighborhoods, Shoe Stores represent a strong tenant category. If not, StreetSpring's address-level tool will show the survivability score for your specific address and which tenant types score highest there.
How can I compare specific addresses within these top neighborhoods?
StreetSpring's address-level tool allows you to input any commercial address and see predicted survivability for Shoe Stores. Even within the top-ranked neighborhoods, survivability varies meaningfully by block: address-level scoring is the most precise way to evaluate a specific site.
What type of neighborhood is best for opening a Shoe Store?
The best neighborhoods for Shoe Stores share three characteristics: manageable competitive density (few existing direct competitors within the primary trade area), strong consumer spending on this category, and demographic alignment with the typical Shoe Store customer base. In StreetSpring's 2026 data, the top-ranked neighborhoods for Shoe Stores combine these factors and score well above the average across the 1,947 ranked neighborhoods, 70.0% Typical. Neighborhoods with dense existing competition or low category spending tend to score significantly lower, regardless of overall foot traffic or prestige.
Are there good opportunities outside the top 25 neighborhoods?
Absolutely. This ranking covers 1,947 ranked neighborhoods across 24 cities. Many neighborhoods outside the top 25 have excellent individual locations for Shoe Stores. Neighborhood-level rankings reflect averages: specific addresses within any neighborhood can score well above or below the neighborhood mean. Use city-specific guides and StreetSpring's address-level tool to explore options beyond the top 25.
What makes Palmer Square in Chicago the best neighborhood for Shoe Stores?
Palmer Square in Chicago ranks #1 for Shoe Stores with 90.7% Best (the average result for the better of two addresses in the neighborhood, which is what this ranking orders on). StreetSpring's model weighs competitive dynamics (direct competitors relative to available consumer spending), demographic alignment with Shoe Store customers and local spending patterns for every ranked neighborhood nationwide.
What is the difference between city-level and neighborhood-level survivability rankings for Shoe Stores?
City-level rankings reflect average survivability for Shoe Stores across all neighborhoods in a given city: useful for identifying which cities offer the best overall conditions. Neighborhood-level rankings go deeper, showing which specific neighborhoods within those cities rank highest. StreetSpring's address-level tool adds a third layer, scoring individual storefronts within any neighborhood.
How do I interpret a survivability score?
A survivability score represents the estimated probability that a business of a specific type will still be operating at a given location after 2 years. A score of 80% means StreetSpring's model predicts an 80% chance of the business surviving past the 2-year mark at that address. Scores are calculated at the address level and reflect competitive density, consumer spending patterns, and hundreds of additional factors.
Technical note: Aggregated national survivability rankings across the metros in this ranking are available in machine-readable format for research and integration purposes.
The table above reproduces from these metro files, one per city: Chicago, Los Angeles, Denver, Washington DC, Houston, Orlando, New York City, Boston, Baltimore, Miami, Tampa Bay, San Francisco.
StreetSpring recalculates survivability using the latest competitive, demographic, and walkability data, so the live score may differ from the static ranges shown here.
Methodology: Neighborhoods are ranked on Best, as each metro file publishes it. The typical address: the average Survivability Score for Shoe Stores across the scored locations within each neighborhood, as its metro file publishes it. The average across all ranked neighborhoods is the plain mean of those figures, not the national average on the city ranking, which averages metros. Rankings represent neighborhood-level conditions but do not account for block-by-block variation. Coverage includes 1947 neighborhoods across 24 major US cities. 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.