National Neighborhood Survivability Rankings for Shoe Store
StreetSpring's 2026 nationwide analysis ranks the top neighborhoods across all major US cities for Shoe Stores. See which neighborhoods offer the highest Survivability Scores.
StreetSpring's 2026 cross-market analysis reveals that Murray Hill in New York City ranks as the #1 neighborhood in the United States for opening a Shoe Store, with 80% survivability. The top 25 neighborhoods nationwide span 8 different cities, demonstrating that exceptional opportunities for Shoe Stores exist across diverse markets. However, market conditions change daily, and it's best to use StreetSpring's live data to check the survivability score for a specific address.
To understand the methodology behind these rankings, see our detailed guide: Survivability Score: How We Calculate It & Why It Matters.
Last reviewed by Bobby Koons, Founder & CEO, StreetSpring — May 3, 2026
Quick Summary
- #1 Neighborhood: Murray Hill, New York City — 80% survivability for Shoe Store
- Neighborhoods analyzed: 8583 across 24 major US cities
- National average survivability: 51.2% for Shoe Stores
- Top-25 average: 77.4% — 26.3% above national average
- 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 neighborhoods rank nationwide for Shoe Stores
Analyzing 8583 neighborhoods across 24 major US cities, StreetSpring's 2026 data shows that the best neighborhoods for Shoe Stores significantly outperform average locations, with the top 25 neighborhoods nationwide averaging 77.4% survivability compared to the national neighborhood average of 51.2%.
How median scores differ city to city
This 26.3% advantage illustrates how critical neighborhood selection is — choosing a top-tier neighborhood versus an average one can significantly increase your long-term survival chances.
Where the surprising outliers come from
For Shoe Stores specifically, survivability is driven primarily by competitive density within the immediate trade area and the alignment between local consumer spending patterns and the category's typical revenue profile. The 26.3% gap between top-ranked neighborhoods and the national average for Shoe Stores reflects meaningful variation in how competitive these markets are across different neighborhoods — a stronger signal than is typical for many business categories. No third-party scoring system produces these results — every prediction is generated by StreetSpring's own analytical models.
Importantly, top-performing neighborhoods aren't concentrated in just a few cities. The top 25 neighborhoods represent 8 different cities. This means entrepreneurs focused on Shoe Stores can find exceptional opportunities across the United States, not just in traditionally strong markets.
The right location can make a business; the wrong one can break it.
Top US neighborhoods to open a Shoe Store
| Signal | Top-quartile neighborhood pattern | Bottom-quartile neighborhood pattern |
|---|---|---|
| Walk Score + foot-traffic alignment | Neighborhoods where Walk Score (90+) matches actual measured pedestrian volume — not just street-grid promise. | High Walk Score scores driven by transit density but with sparse street-level retail engagement. |
| Anchor-venue spillover | Neighborhoods within 0.25 miles of a major anchor (transit hub, university gate, hospital main entrance, concert venue). | Neighborhoods where the nearest anchor is past walking distance — no spillover demand. |
| Storefront vacancy + churn signal | Neighborhoods with low recent vacancy and steady operator continuity in similar subtypes. | Neighborhoods with elevated commercial vacancy or repeated tenant turnover in the same storefronts. |
The shared traits across the top 10
Survivability range for top, middle, and last-ranked neighborhoods. Box = best-to-challenging range; white line = average. Murray Hill, New York City leads at 80% in 2026. Full methodology →
The top 25 neighborhoods nationwide for Shoe Stores are:
| # | Neighborhood | City | Avg Survival | Tier | Best Locations | Challenging Locations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Murray Hill | New York City | 80.0% | Good | 81.9% | 77.7% |
| 2 | Yerba Buena | San Francisco | 79.8% | Good | 81.6% | 77.5% |
| 3 | Midtown | New York City | 79.4% | Good | 81.3% | 77.2% |
| 4 | Turtle Bay | New York City | 79.3% | Good | 81.2% | 77.1% |
| 5 | City Center | Los Angeles | 79.2% | Good | 81.1% | 76.9% |
| 6 | Nob Hill | San Francisco | 78.6% | Good | 80.5% | 76.4% |
| 7 | Garment District | New York City | 78.5% | Good | 80.4% | 76.2% |
| 8 | Chinatown | San Francisco | 78.3% | Good | 80.2% | 76.1% |
| 9 | SoHo | New York City | 78.2% | Good | 80.1% | 76.0% |
| 10 | Aventura | Miami | 78.1% | Good | 80.0% | 75.9% |
| 11 | Tenderloin | San Francisco | 77.9% | Good | 79.8% | 75.7% |
| 12 | Little Italy | New York City | 77.9% | Good | 79.8% | 75.7% |
| 13 | Greenwich Village | New York City | 77.6% | Good | 79.5% | 75.3% |
| 14 | Chinatown | New York City | 77.1% | Good | 79.0% | 74.9% |
| 15 | NoHo | New York City | 76.7% | Good | 78.5% | 74.4% |
| 16 | Crimson Creek | Phoenix | 76.3% | Good | 78.2% | 74.1% |
| 17 | Seville Condominium | Tampa Bay | 76.2% | Good | 78.1% | 74.0% |
| 18 | Mariposa | Los Angeles | 76.2% | Good | 78.0% | 73.9% |
| 19 | Century City | Los Angeles | 76.1% | Good | 78.0% | 73.8% |
| 20 | Carroll Park | Los Angeles | 76.0% | Good | 77.9% | 73.8% |
| 21 | Horton Plaza | San Diego | 76.0% | Good | 77.9% | 73.8% |
| 22 | Lenox | Atlanta | 75.9% | Good | 77.8% | 73.7% |
| 23 | East Village | New York City | 75.7% | Good | 77.6% | 73.4% |
| 24 | Western Addition | San Francisco | 75.6% | Good | 77.5% | 73.4% |
| 25 | Van Ness - Civic Center | San Francisco | 75.5% | Good | 77.4% | 73.3% |
Even within top-ranked neighborhoods, block-level survivability can vary by 10–20 percentage points depending on competitive conditions at the exact address.
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 8 different cities, with New York City claiming 10 of the top spots (40%).
Breakdown of top 25 neighborhoods by city:
- New York City: 10 neighborhoods (40% of top 25) — View city guide
- San Francisco: 6 neighborhoods (24% of top 25) — View city guide
- Los Angeles: 4 neighborhoods (16% of top 25) — View city guide
- Miami: 1 neighborhood (4% of top 25) — View city guide
- Phoenix: 1 neighborhood (4% of top 25) — View city guide
- Tampa Bay: 1 neighborhood (4% of top 25) — View city guide
- San Diego: 1 neighborhood (4% of top 25) — View city guide
- Atlanta: 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.
Walkability vs. visibility — which wins?
The concentration of 10 top-ranked neighborhoods in New York City (40% of the top 25) is notably high for this business category, suggesting that New York City's market conditions — competitive density, consumer spending patterns, and demographic alignment — are unusually favorable for Shoe Stores. Operators targeting this category should treat New York City neighborhoods as a primary focus before expanding to secondary markets.
How to apply this ranking when choosing where to open a Shoe Store
While nationwide neighborhood rankings identify standout markets, address-level analysis reveals even greater variation. StreetSpring's AI models reveal the survivability of businesses in every major U.S. neighborhood, giving agents and entrepreneurs a trusted way to see their future success before opening day. Even within top-ranked neighborhoods, specific block selection can vary survivability by 10–20 percentage points.
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.
Why score alone shouldn't drive the lease decision
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:
- New York City: Best businesses and neighborhoods
- San Diego: Best businesses and neighborhoods
- San Francisco: Best businesses and neighborhoods
- Tampa Bay: Best businesses and neighborhoods
- Los Angeles: 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
Which cities appear most frequently in the top 25 neighborhoods for Shoe Stores?
The cities most represented in the top 25 for Shoe Stores are New York City (10), San Francisco (6), Los Angeles (4). This concentration reflects the relative strength of consumer demand and competitive conditions for Shoe Stores in these markets. City-specific guides provide deeper analysis of each city's neighborhoods.
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 is the typical survivability range for Shoe Stores in top neighborhoods?
The top 25 neighborhoods nationwide for Shoe Stores average 77.4% survivability. The national average across all analyzed neighborhoods is 51.2%. The spread between top neighborhoods and the national average is 26.3% — representing the tangible survivability advantage of choosing a top-ranked location.
Are there good opportunities outside the top 25 neighborhoods?
Absolutely. Our analysis covers 8583 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 demographic factors drive survivability for Shoe Stores?
For Shoe Stores, StreetSpring's model incorporates neighborhood-level demographic data including population density, median household income, employment rates, and consumer spending on this specific category. These factors vary by business type — the demographic profile that drives survivability for Shoe Store customers may differ significantly from what matters for other business categories.
How often do neighborhood rankings change?
StreetSpring updates rankings quarterly as new data on business openings, closures, and market conditions becomes available. The current analysis reflects 2026 data. Because competitive conditions shift as new businesses enter or exit a neighborhood, the specific rankings for any given business type can shift between updates — which is why we recommend verifying specific addresses in StreetSpring's live tool before making a final site selection decision.
What makes Murray Hill in New York City the best neighborhood for Shoe Stores?
Murray Hill in New York City ranks #1 for Shoe Stores with 80% survivability. This reflects favorable competitive dynamics — fewer direct competitors relative to available consumer spending — strong demographic alignment with Shoe Store customers, and local spending patterns that sustain this business category. StreetSpring's model weights these factors across all analyzed neighborhoods nationwide.
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 in a way that produces survivability scores well above the national average of 51.2%. Neighborhoods with dense existing competition or low category spending tend to score significantly lower, regardless of overall foot traffic or prestige.
Technical note: Aggregated national survivability rankings across all 24 metros are available in machine-readable format for research and integration purposes.
StreetSpring recalculates survivability using the latest competitive, demographic, and walkability data, so the live score may differ from the static ranges shown here.
Methodology: Neighborhood rankings are based on average Survivability Scores for Shoe Stores across all analyzed locations within each neighborhood. Rankings represent neighborhood-level conditions but do not account for block-by-block variation. Coverage includes 8583 neighborhoods across 24 major US cities.