National Neighborhood Survivability Rankings for Gym
StreetSpring's 2026 nationwide analysis ranks the top neighborhoods across all major US cities for Gyms. See which neighborhoods offer the highest Survivability Scores.
Of all neighborhoods across the US analyzed in 2026, Buckman in Portland offers the highest survivability for Gym operators at 84%. The top 25 neighborhoods nationwide span 12 different cities, demonstrating that exceptional opportunities for Gyms exist across diverse markets. Static rankings can't capture every recent change in competition or foot traffic, which is why StreetSpring's real-time tool is the best place to check today's survivability score for a particular location.
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 7, 2026
Quick Summary
- #1 Neighborhood: Buckman, Portland — 84% survivability for Gym
- Neighborhoods analyzed: 1426 across 24 major US cities
- National average survivability: 74.0% for Gyms
- Top-25 average: 82.1% — 8.1% 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
Neighborhood-by-neighborhood survivability for Gyms nationwide
Analyzing 1426 neighborhoods across 24 major US cities, StreetSpring's 2026 data shows that the best neighborhoods for Gyms significantly outperform average locations, with the top 25 neighborhoods nationwide averaging 82.1% survivability compared to the national neighborhood average of 74.0%.
Where the surprising outliers come from
This 8.1% advantage illustrates how critical neighborhood selection is — choosing a top-tier neighborhood versus an average one can significantly increase your long-term survival chances.
What the gap from top to median tells you
What separates the top neighborhoods for Gyms from the national average is not simply higher foot traffic — it is a favorable ratio of consumer spending on this category to competitive supply. The 8.1% advantage that top neighborhoods hold is built on structural conditions: the right consumer demographics, manageable competition density, and mobility patterns that route target customers past the storefront. The models behind these rankings are trained on millions of real commercial outcomes — not simulated data or market proxies.
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 Gyms can find exceptional opportunities across the United States, not just in traditionally strong markets.
Where you open matters more than anything else.
The strongest US neighborhoods for opening a Gym
| Signal | Top-quartile neighborhood pattern | Bottom-quartile neighborhood pattern |
|---|---|---|
| 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. |
| Commercial rent-to-revenue ratio | Neighborhoods where commercial $/sqft fits the subtype's revenue-per-sqft economics with margin. | Neighborhoods where rent inflation has outrun revenue growth — operators paying lifestyle rents. |
| Subtype-specific density saturation | Neighborhoods with the subtype below the optimal density curve — room for a new entrant without cannibalizing demand. | Neighborhoods at or past the saturation point for the subtype, where new entrants face zero-sum competition. |
The shared traits across the top 10
Survivability range for top, middle, and last-ranked neighborhoods. Box = best-to-challenging range; white line = average. Buckman, Portland leads at 84% in 2026. Full methodology →
The top 25 neighborhoods nationwide for Gyms are:
| # | Neighborhood | City | Avg Survival | Tier | Best Locations | Challenging Locations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Buckman | Portland | 84.5% | Great | 86.3% | 82.2% |
| 2 | Atlantic | Seattle | 83.2% | Great | 84.9% | 80.8% |
| 3 | Monticello | Dallas | 83.0% | Great | 84.8% | 80.7% |
| 4 | Lloyd | Portland | 83.0% | Great | 84.8% | 80.7% |
| 5 | Dongan Hills | New York City | 82.7% | Great | 84.5% | 80.4% |
| 6 | Lexington Park | Philadelphia | 82.5% | Great | 84.3% | 80.2% |
| 7 | Woodlawn | Portland | 82.5% | Great | 84.3% | 80.2% |
| 8 | Downtown | Portland | 82.2% | Great | 84.0% | 79.9% |
| 9 | Swann Estates | Tampa Bay | 82.1% | Great | 83.9% | 79.8% |
| 10 | Fox Canyon | San Diego | 82.0% | Great | 83.8% | 79.7% |
| 11 | Adair Park | Atlanta | 82.0% | Great | 83.8% | 79.7% |
| 12 | Golden Gate | San Francisco | 82.0% | Great | 83.7% | 79.6% |
| 13 | Parkrose | Portland | 81.9% | Great | 83.6% | 79.5% |
| 14 | Palma Ceia West | Tampa Bay | 81.8% | Great | 83.6% | 79.5% |
| 15 | Oakwood Hills | Miami | 81.6% | Great | 83.3% | 79.2% |
| 16 | Oak Lawn | Dallas | 81.6% | Great | 83.3% | 79.2% |
| 17 | Lakewide | San Francisco | 81.5% | Great | 83.3% | 79.2% |
| 18 | Garment District | New York City | 81.5% | Great | 83.2% | 79.1% |
| 19 | Piedmont | Portland | 81.5% | Great | 83.2% | 79.1% |
| 20 | Hidden Valley | Houston | 81.4% | Great | 83.2% | 79.1% |
| 21 | Grand Sunrise | Los Angeles | 81.4% | Great | 83.2% | 79.1% |
| 22 | Downtown | San Francisco | 81.4% | Great | 83.2% | 79.1% |
| 23 | Eliot | Portland | 81.4% | Great | 83.2% | 79.1% |
| 24 | Pioneer | Dallas | 81.4% | Great | 83.2% | 79.1% |
| 25 | Sandy Springs | Atlanta | 81.4% | Great | 83.2% | 79.1% |
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's true of every top-ranked US neighborhood
City Concentration
The top 25 neighborhoods span 12 different cities, with Portland claiming 7 of the top spots (28%).
Breakdown of top 25 neighborhoods by city:
- Portland: 7 neighborhoods (28% of top 25) — View city guide
- Dallas: 3 neighborhoods (12% of top 25) — View city guide
- San Francisco: 3 neighborhoods (12% of top 25) — View city guide
- New York City: 2 neighborhoods (8% of top 25) — View city guide
- Tampa Bay: 2 neighborhoods (8% of top 25) — View city guide
- Atlanta: 2 neighborhoods (8% of top 25) — View city guide
- Seattle: 1 neighborhood (4% of top 25) — View city guide
- Philadelphia: 1 neighborhood (4% of top 25) — View city guide
- San Diego: 1 neighborhood (4% of top 25) — View city guide
- Miami: 1 neighborhood (4% of top 25) — View city guide
- Houston: 1 neighborhood (4% of top 25) — View city guide
- Los Angeles: 1 neighborhood (4% of top 25) — View city guide
This distribution has practical implications for Gyms 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.
How transit access shapes survival
The relatively even distribution of top neighborhoods across 12 cities is consistent with a category where consumer demand is broadly distributed rather than concentrated in specific metros. For Gyms 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 Gym?
Use this ranking to shortlist neighborhoods, then drill down to specific addresses. The StreetSpring platform combines proprietary consumer spending forecasts, competitive density analysis, and mobility data to produce survivability predictions no other tool replicates. The difference between the best and worst blocks within a single top-ranked neighborhood can be as large as the gap between the #1 and #25 neighborhoods on this list.
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 Gyms.
See also: Best Cities for Gym — our city-level comparison ranks which metros offer the strongest overall conditions for Gyms.
Cross-Subtype Synergy Across the Spectrum
Gym success and broader neighborhood quality often correlate. Below are top, middle, and bottom-ranked neighborhoods for Gyms along with what else thrives in each:
Buckman, Portland — ranked #1 nationally — the strongest neighborhood for Gyms (84% survivability for Gym) Other business types that thrive in Buckman:
- Tattoo & Piercing Shop (82% survivability)
- Liquor Store (82% survivability)
- Diner (81% survivability)
Check the cross-subtype list before signing. If a neighborhood is great for Gyms but nothing else, treat that as data; if several subtypes score well together, the neighborhood-level signal is robust.
Related Resources
Explore top cities represented in these neighborhoods:
- Portland: Best businesses and neighborhoods
- Los Angeles: Best businesses and neighborhoods
- Philadelphia: Best businesses and neighborhoods
- New York City: Best businesses and neighborhoods
- Seattle: Best businesses and neighborhoods
National city rankings: Best cities for Gyms
Essential resources:
- How StreetSpring calculates Survivability Scores
- Site selection for landlords
- AI tools for tenant representatives
- StreetSpring vs competitors
Frequently Asked Questions
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 is the typical survivability range for Gyms in top neighborhoods?
The top 25 neighborhoods nationwide for Gyms average 82.1% survivability. The national average across all analyzed neighborhoods is 74.0%. The spread between top neighborhoods and the national average is 8.1% — representing the tangible survivability advantage of choosing a top-ranked location.
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 Gyms. 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 Gym?
The best neighborhoods for Gyms 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 Gym customer base. In StreetSpring's 2026 data, the top-ranked neighborhoods for Gyms combine these factors in a way that produces survivability scores well above the national average of 74.0%. Neighborhoods with dense existing competition or low category spending tend to score significantly lower, regardless of overall foot traffic or prestige.
Can a Gym succeed in neighborhoods outside the top 25?
Yes — the top 25 neighborhoods represent standout conditions, but Gyms can achieve strong survivability in many other neighborhoods as well. What matters is finding a location where competitive density is low enough and consumer spending is strong enough to support the business. StreetSpring's address-level tool identifies high-survivability addresses in any neighborhood, including those not represented in this top-25 list.
What demographic factors drive survivability for Gyms?
For Gyms, 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 Gym customers may differ significantly from what matters for other business categories.
Are there good opportunities outside the top 25 neighborhoods?
Absolutely. Our analysis covers 1426 neighborhoods across 24 cities. Many neighborhoods outside the top 25 have excellent individual locations for Gyms. 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 Buckman in Portland the best neighborhood for Gyms?
Buckman in Portland ranks #1 for Gyms with 84% survivability. This reflects favorable competitive dynamics — fewer direct competitors relative to available consumer spending — strong demographic alignment with Gym customers, and local spending patterns that sustain this business category. StreetSpring's model weights these factors across all analyzed neighborhoods nationwide.
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 Gyms across all analyzed locations within each neighborhood. Rankings represent neighborhood-level conditions but do not account for block-by-block variation. Coverage includes 1426 neighborhoods across 24 major US cities.