Survivability Rankings for Laundromat in Chicago
StreetSpring's 2026 analysis ranks the best and worst neighborhoods in Chicago to open a Laundromat, from Kennedy Park (92% survival) to Irving Woods (7...
By Bobby Koons | Last reviewed: May 6, 2026 | New data weekly | Methodology
Quick Summary
- #1 Neighborhood: Kennedy Park — 92% average survivability for Laundromat
- Neighborhoods at or above 70%: 86 of 86 analyzed
- City-wide average: 87% for Laundromats
- Most challenging area: Irving Woods at 78%
- Revenue advantage (top vs. avg location): ~6.3% more expected revenue in Kennedy Park
- Data freshness: 2026 data · Full methodology →
Table of Contents
- Summary
- 10 Best Neighborhoods
- Where Would a Laundromat Make the Most Money?
- What Should I Consider?
- Where Should I Start?
- FAQ: Best Neighborhoods
- FAQ: Can a Laundromat Succeed in Lower-Ranked Areas?
- FAQ: How Often Are Rankings Updated?
- FAQ: Is a Laundromat a Good Tenant?
- Landlord Survivability Data
- Best Neighborhoods for Any Business
Summary
StreetSpring's 2026 analysis shows the best neighborhood in and around Chicago to open a Laundromat is Kennedy Park with 92% average chance of surviving more than 2 years, with the best locations offering 96% and the most challenging locations in Kennedy Park at 82%. The worst neighborhoods include Irving Woods with 78% average chance. These rankings are based on the latest available data; check StreetSpring for real-time updates.
Top-Survivability Chicago Neighborhoods for Laundromats
Kennedy Park ranks #1 of 86 neighborhoods analyzed in and around Chicago for Laundromat survivability with a score of 92% as of 2026. The top 10 neighborhoods are:
What separates the top neighborhoods from the rest
| Rank | Neighborhood | Best Locations | Average Locations | Challenging Locations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kennedy Park | 93.0% – 97.0% | 89.5% – 93.7% | 81.0% – 85.0% |
| 2 | Southwest | 94.0% – 97.0% | 88.8% – 93.0% | 66.0% – 70.0% |
| 3 | Main-Chicago | 94.0% – 97.0% | 88.8% – 93.0% | 86.0% – 90.0% |
| 4 | Rogers Park | 94.0% – 97.0% | 88.7% – 92.9% | 71.0% – 75.0% |
| 5 | Morgan Park | 94.0% – 97.0% | 88.5% – 92.7% | 72.0% – 76.0% |
| 6 | Roseland | 94.0% – 97.0% | 88.4% – 92.6% | 69.0% – 73.0% |
| 7 | Kenwood | 93.0% – 97.0% | 87.6% – 91.8% | 84.0% – 88.0% |
| 8 | River North | 92.0% – 96.0% | 87.3% – 91.5% | 84.0% – 88.0% |
| 9 | West Town | 92.0% – 96.0% | 87.2% – 91.4% | 73.0% – 77.0% |
| 10 | Margate Park | 92.0% – 96.0% | 87.1% – 91.3% | 83.0% – 87.0% |
How to use this list when you tour locations
These averages are directional, not definitive; the best decision comes from analyzing your specific storefront. However, market conditions change daily, and it's best to use StreetSpring's live data to check the Survivability Score for a specific address.
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 Laundromat Make the Most Money?
In Kennedy Park, the best possible location offers the opportunity of making ~6.3% more than the average location in or around Chicago.
On the other hand, in Irving Woods, the worst possible location could result in making ~9.5% less than the average location in the city.
Location selection is the most consequential decision any new business owner makes. Opening a Laundromat in Chicago requires careful location choice. Across 86 neighborhoods analyzed, the overall average survival chance for a new Laundromat is 87% for lasting more than 2 years — due to a combination of many factors across competition, consumer spending, and location dynamics. Our models show that the optimal location profile varies dramatically from one business category to the next.
The Most Important Factors for a Laundromat in Chicago
There is no operational fix for a poorly chosen location. Use Survivability Score as a hard filter on candidate addresses before evaluating other factors. Among all factors in our model, Revenue Capture Score carries the most weight in determining long-term survivability. StreetSpring computes this by projecting the business's market share, which is based on the quality and quantity of primary, secondary, and tertiary competitors. StreetSpring's training dataset includes millions of transactions and business lifecycle events. Some of the best-performing locations are surrounded by complementary competitors that drive foot traffic. The prediction engine behind these rankings is entirely proprietary — developed in-house over years of research.
| 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. |
| Anchor co-tenancy | Signing next to a high-traffic anchor that closes 6 months later, leaving you orphaned. | Ask for a co-tenancy clause — rent abatement or termination right if the anchor leaves. Standard for strong markets. |
| Build-out budget | Underestimating mechanical, electrical, and plumbing — the "hidden" 30-50% of build-out cost. | Get 3 quotes from licensed contractors and pad budget by +20% for surprises. Confirm landlord TI allowance 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. Static rankings provide a useful baseline, but the live tool captures changes that have occurred since publication.
Where in or Around Chicago Should I Start a Laundromat?
Based on our analysis, the leading neighborhoods are Kennedy Park, Southwest, and Main-Chicago, while the most challenging neighborhoods would be Irving Woods, Downtown, and Pilsen. Even neighborhoods with modest average scores can harbor exceptional individual locations. For the most accurate predictions, always check your specific address in StreetSpring's live platform.
Related Articles:
Where Laundromats Thrive in Chicago
Based on StreetSpring's 2026 analysis, the top neighborhood for a Laundromat in Chicago is Kennedy Park with 92% average survivability, followed by Southwest and Main-Chicago. 86 of 86 neighborhoods analyzed exceed 70% two-year survival.
Neighborhood rankings are useful, but the exact odds for your location can only be seen by running a current survivability check in StreetSpring.
Should You Consider Lower-Survivability Areas of Chicago for a Laundromat?
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. These rankings are based on the latest available data; check StreetSpring for real-time updates. Always check your specific address in StreetSpring's live platform for the most accurate prediction.
How Fresh Is Our Chicago Laundromat Ranking Data?
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.
Should You Rent Your Chicago Storefront to a Laundromat?
In Kennedy Park, StreetSpring forecasts a 89.5% – 93.7% average chance for a new Laundromat to survive more than 2 years, depending on the exact storefront. Check the current Survivability Score for any address instantly.
Landlord Survivability Data for Laundromat in Chicago
Reducing vacancy starts with choosing tenants whose business type matches the neighborhood's strengths. For Laundromat tenants, Kennedy Park provides the best survivability conditions (89.5% – 93.7%). Southwest and Main-Chicago also show viable averages at 88.8% – 93.0% and 88.8% – 93.0% respectively. Get a live Survivability Score for your specific storefront at no cost.
With StreetSpring, you can see the precise probability of success for countless business models at any exact location.
Related: How Landlord Representatives Can Reduce Vacancy & Increase Tenant Longevity
What Are the Best Neighborhoods in Chicago to Open a Laundromat?
You can see the best neighborhoods in or around Chicago to open any type of business in our article Neighborhood Survivability Rankings: Chicago.
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.
Visual Data
Related Resources
Same business type in other cities:
Related:
Related:
Local Context FAQ
Further questions, with answers anchored on this neighborhood's actual data.
Where should an aspiring Chicago Laundromat owner focus first?
The address you sign for. Across Chicago, Laundromats score 32-89% depending on location — a 57-point spread that captures competitive density, demographic fit, accessibility, and visibility at each storefront.
What are the top metros nationally for opening a Laundromat?
The three highest-scoring metros for Laundromats are Dallas, San Antonio, Portland (StreetSpring 2026 corpus). Chicago sits at #19 with a 70% average survivability score.
What 5-year survival rate does the federal government track for Laundromats?
Per BLS Business Employment Dynamics (March 2025 release), Laundromats have a 48% 5-year survival rate nationally. StreetSpring's Chicago model averages 70% across tracked locations — above the national baseline by 22 percentage points.
How comprehensive is the Laundromats data for Chicago?
For Laundromats, the Chicago model produces survivability scores from 32% (low-end neighborhoods) to 89% (top neighborhoods), averaging 70%. Each storefront address gets a precise score that reflects block-level variation.