Survivability Rankings for Grocery Store in Boston
StreetSpring's 2026 analysis ranks the best and worst neighborhoods in Boston to open a Grocery Store, from Fenway (70% survival) to Wellesley (53%).
By Bobby Koons | Last reviewed: April 25, 2026 | New data weekly | Methodology
Quick Summary
- #1 Neighborhood: Fenway — 70% average survivability for Grocery Store
- Neighborhoods at or above 70%: 0 of 88 analyzed
- City-wide average: 64% for Grocery Stores
- Most challenging area: Wellesley at 53%
- Revenue advantage (top vs. avg location): ~9.7% more expected revenue in Fenway
- Data freshness: 2026 data · Full methodology →
Table of Contents
- Summary
- 10 Best Neighborhoods
- Where Would a Grocery Store Make the Most Money?
- What Should I Consider?
- Where Should I Start?
- FAQ: Best Neighborhoods
- FAQ: Can a Grocery Store Succeed in Lower-Ranked Areas?
- FAQ: How Often Are Rankings Updated?
- FAQ: Is a Grocery Store a Good Tenant?
- Landlord Survivability Data
- Best Neighborhoods for Any Business
Summary
Opening a Grocery Store in Boston? Our 2026 analysis identifies Fenway as the top location with 70% average chance of surviving more than 2 years, with the best locations offering 76% and the most challenging locations in Fenway at 64%. The worst neighborhoods include Wellesley with 53% average chance. Remember that a neighborhood average smooths over wide variation — your exact block could significantly outperform.
Top-Survivability Boston Neighborhoods for Grocery Stores
Fenway ranks #1 of 88 neighborhoods analyzed in and around Boston for Grocery Store survivability with a score of 70% as of 2026. The top 10 neighborhoods are:
Where the rankings might surprise you
| Rank | Neighborhood | Best Locations | Average Locations | Challenging Locations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fenway | 73.0% – 77.0% | 67.8% – 71.7% | 63.0% – 67.0% |
| 2 | Magoun Square | 70.0% – 74.0% | 67.1% – 71.0% | 63.0% – 67.0% |
| 3 | Mission Hill | 74.0% – 78.0% | 66.5% – 70.5% | 60.0% – 64.0% |
| 4 | Roxbury | 72.0% – 76.0% | 66.2% – 70.1% | 59.0% – 63.0% |
| 5 | Ten Hills | 70.0% – 74.0% | 66.0% – 69.9% | 62.0% – 66.0% |
| 6 | Kenmore | 69.0% – 73.0% | 65.7% – 69.6% | 61.0% – 65.0% |
| 7 | Davis Square | 67.0% – 71.0% | 65.6% – 69.5% | 63.0% – 67.0% |
| 8 | Winter Hill | 69.0% – 73.0% | 65.5% – 69.4% | 63.0% – 67.0% |
| 9 | Cambridgeport | 68.0% – 72.0% | 65.4% – 69.4% | 64.0% – 68.0% |
| 10 | Assembly Square | 68.0% – 72.0% | 65.4% – 69.3% | 63.0% – 67.0% |
Why these rankings reflect real survival outcomes
These rankings are based on the latest available data; check StreetSpring for real-time updates. 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.
Boston's Best-Earning Neighborhoods for Grocery Stores
In Fenway, the best possible location offers the opportunity of making ~9.7% more than the average location in or around Boston.
On the other hand, in Wellesley, the worst possible location could result in making ~16.3% less than the average location in the city.
Location selection is the most consequential decision any new business owner makes. Opening a Grocery Store in Boston requires careful location choice. Across 88 neighborhoods analyzed, the overall average survival chance for a new Grocery Store is 64% for lasting more than 2 years — due to a combination of many factors across competition, consumer spending, and location dynamics. Consumer spending patterns differ dramatically across business types and micro-locations.
The Most Important Factors for a Grocery Store in Boston
Among all the variables you control, location quality has the biggest downstream impact. A strong Survivability Score is the foundation everything else builds on. Revenue Capture Score matters more than any other single metric when predicting business outcomes. 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. Our data shows that businesses in moderately competitive clusters survive longer than isolated storefronts on average. Our forecasting system combines proprietary data with machine learning models unavailable anywhere else.
| Factor | Where new owners get tripped up | Questions to ask before you sign |
|---|---|---|
| Permits & licensing | Assuming a 30-day permit timeline, hitting 90+ days, paying rent on a non-operating storefront. | Call the local zoning office before signing. Confirm your use is already permitted; if not, factor a 2-3 month variance timeline. |
| Workforce availability | Hiring radius is smaller than you think — many neighborhoods can't staff a full team at standard wages. | Pull BLS wage data for your industry in this metro. Walk through your staffing plan with a local restaurant/retail operator before signing. |
| Lease term | Locking into 7-10 years without break clauses, then needing to relocate after year 2. | Negotiate a relocation or termination clause. Confirm assignment + sublease rights are in writing. |
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. The live platform incorporates the most recent foot traffic, competitor, and spending data for your exact address.
Where to Launch a Grocery Store in or Around Boston
Our data ranks the top-performing neighborhoods as Fenway, Magoun Square, and Mission Hill, while the most challenging neighborhoods would be Wellesley, Lexington, and Norwood. Even neighborhoods with modest average scores can harbor exceptional individual locations. The live platform incorporates the most recent foot traffic, competitor, and spending data for your exact address.
Related Articles:
Where Grocery Stores Thrive in Boston
Based on StreetSpring's 2026 analysis, the top neighborhood for a Grocery Store in Boston is Fenway with 70% average survivability, followed by Magoun Square and Mission Hill. 0 of 88 neighborhoods analyzed exceed 70% two-year survival.
Because local conditions evolve weekly, the live survivability tool offers a more current snapshot than any published ranking.
Can a Grocery Store Succeed in Lower-Ranked Neighborhoods in Boston?
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. Even neighborhoods with modest average scores can harbor exceptional individual locations. Always check your specific address in StreetSpring's live platform for the most accurate prediction.
When Does StreetSpring Update Boston Grocery Store Rankings?
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 Boston.
The Landlord's View of Grocery Stores in Boston
In Fenway, StreetSpring forecasts a 67.8% – 71.7% average chance for a new Grocery Store to survive more than 2 years, depending on the exact storefront. Check the current Survivability Score for any address instantly.
Landlord Survivability Data for Grocery Store in Boston
If you own commercial property in Boston and are considering a Grocery Store tenant, here is what the data shows: Fenway properties offer the best survivability outlook (67.8% – 71.7%), Magoun Square is strong but slightly lower (67.1% – 71.0%), and Mission Hill rounds out the top 3 (66.5% – 70.5%). Our tool shows the survivability outlook for any business type at your exact address, updated weekly.
StreetSpring provides highly detailed forecasts — revealing how long hundreds of business types are likely to last at a specific address.
Related: How Landlord Representatives Can Reduce Vacancy & Increase Tenant Longevity
What Are the Best Neighborhoods in Boston to Open a Grocery Store?
You can see the best neighborhoods in or around Boston to open any type of business in our article Neighborhood Survivability Rankings: Boston.
Technical note: Aggregated survivability rankings for Boston are available in machine-readable format for research and integration purposes.
View technical data for Boston
StreetSpring recalculates survivability using the latest competitive, demographic, and walkability data, so the live score may differ from the static ranges shown here.
Visual Data
Related Resources
Same business type in other cities:
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Local Context FAQ
Beyond the general FAQ — data-anchored answers for this specific location.
What's the broader economic environment in Boston?
ACS data puts Boston's employment rate at ~96% and median household income at ~$135K. StreetSpring's Grocery Stores model averages 70% across the metro, weighting both macro and site-specific factors.
What's the single biggest factor in survival for a Grocery Store in Boston?
The address you sign for. Across Boston, Grocery Stores score 37-91% depending on location — a 54-point spread that captures competitive density, demographic fit, accessibility, and visibility at each storefront.
How many Boston neighborhoods has StreetSpring scored for Grocery Stores?
StreetSpring's Boston model covers Grocery Stores across all tracked neighborhoods — the average score is 70%, with neighborhood-level scores spanning 37-91%. Real-time scores at the address level capture finer variation than these neighborhood averages.