National Neighborhood Survivability Rankings for Home Improvement Store
StreetSpring's 2026 nationwide analysis ranks the top neighborhoods across all major US cities for Home Improvement Stores. See which neighborhoods offer the highest Survivability Scores.
Tysons (Washington DC) ranks #1 nationally for Home Improvement Store survivability in 2026, with a 90% chance of success for new entrants. The top 25 neighborhoods nationwide span 12 different cities, demonstrating that exceptional opportunities for Home Improvement 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.
Reviewed: May 6, 2026 by Bobby Koons, StreetSpring founder
Quick Summary
- #1 Neighborhood: Tysons, Washington DC — 90% survivability for Home Improvement Store
- Neighborhoods analyzed: 1426 across 24 major US cities
- National average survivability: 67.8% for Home Improvement Stores
- Top-25 average: 80.5% — 12.7% 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 Home Improvement Stores nationwide
Analyzing 1426 neighborhoods across 24 major US cities, StreetSpring's 2026 data shows that the best neighborhoods for Home Improvement Stores significantly outperform average locations, with the top 25 neighborhoods nationwide averaging 80.5% survivability compared to the national neighborhood average of 67.8%.
What the nationwide score spread means for owners
This 12.7% advantage illustrates how critical neighborhood selection is — choosing a top-tier neighborhood versus an average one can significantly increase your long-term survival chances.
Reading regional clusters in the top 25
The consumer spending patterns that support Home Improvement Stores vary more by neighborhood than by city — which is why neighborhood-level analysis is particularly valuable for this business category. A 12.7% difference between top neighborhoods and the national average indicates that location selection has an above-average impact on outcomes for Home Improvement Stores compared to categories with narrower spreads. StreetSpring's address-level scoring shows the exact survivability probability for over 700 business types at any given storefront.
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 Home Improvement Stores can find exceptional opportunities across the United States, not just in traditionally strong markets.
Location is the biggest factor in a business's future success.
Where in the US should you open a Home Improvement Store?
| Signal | Top-quartile neighborhood pattern | Bottom-quartile neighborhood pattern |
|---|---|---|
| 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. |
| Median household income alignment | Neighborhoods where median household income fits the subtype's typical customer profile (income elasticity matches). | Neighborhoods where income is either too low for the price tier or too high for the value-perception band. |
| 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. |
How density of similar businesses lifts (or hurts) survival
Survivability range for top, middle, and last-ranked neighborhoods. Box = best-to-challenging range; white line = average. Tysons, Washington DC leads at 90% in 2026. Full methodology →
The top 25 neighborhoods nationwide for Home Improvement Stores are:
| # | Neighborhood | City | Avg Survival | Tier | Best Locations | Challenging Locations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tysons | Washington DC | 90.3% | Great | 93.1% | 87.8% |
| 2 | Peninsula | Los Angeles | 82.2% | Great | 85.0% | 79.7% |
| 3 | Rivertown | Detroit | 81.8% | Great | 84.6% | 79.3% |
| 4 | Union | St. Louis | 81.4% | Great | 84.2% | 78.8% |
| 5 | Harbor Drive | Miami | 81.2% | Great | 84.0% | 78.7% |
| 6 | Wissahickon Hills | Philadelphia | 81.0% | Great | 83.8% | 78.5% |
| 7 | Tenleytown | Washington DC | 81.0% | Great | 83.8% | 78.5% |
| 8 | Kennedy Park | Chicago | 80.5% | Great | 83.2% | 77.9% |
| 9 | Washington | St. Louis | 80.3% | Great | 83.1% | 77.8% |
| 10 | Laurel Park | Charlotte | 80.3% | Great | 83.0% | 77.7% |
| 11 | Rogers Park | Chicago | 80.2% | Great | 82.9% | 77.6% |
| 12 | Southwest | Chicago | 80.0% | Great | 82.8% | 77.5% |
| 13 | Ocotillo | Phoenix | 80.0% | Great | 82.8% | 77.5% |
| 14 | Downtown | Detroit | 79.9% | Good | 82.7% | 77.4% |
| 15 | Beach | Miami | 79.8% | Good | 82.6% | 77.3% |
| 16 | Roseland | Chicago | 79.7% | Good | 82.5% | 77.2% |
| 17 | Galt Mile | Miami | 79.4% | Good | 82.2% | 76.9% |
| 18 | Fieldston | New York City | 79.3% | Good | 82.1% | 76.8% |
| 19 | Downtown | Tampa Bay | 79.3% | Good | 82.1% | 76.8% |
| 20 | Gold Coast | Detroit | 79.2% | Good | 82.0% | 76.7% |
| 21 | Morgan Park | Chicago | 79.2% | Good | 82.0% | 76.7% |
| 22 | Bedford Park | New York City | 79.1% | Good | 81.9% | 76.6% |
| 23 | Marble Hill | New York City | 79.0% | Good | 81.8% | 76.5% |
| 24 | Unionport | New York City | 78.9% | Good | 81.7% | 76.4% |
| 25 | Multnomah | Portland | 78.8% | Good | 81.6% | 76.2% |
However, the specific location is very important and there are some great locations in neighborhoods that might not appear to be a great fit.
For a full explanation of how survivability scores and ranges are calculated, see Survivability Score: How We Calculate It & Why It Matters.
Shared traits of the strongest US neighborhoods
City Concentration
The top 25 neighborhoods span 12 different cities, with Chicago claiming 5 of the top spots (20%).
Breakdown of top 25 neighborhoods by city:
- Chicago: 5 neighborhoods (20% of top 25) — View city guide
- New York City: 4 neighborhoods (16% of top 25) — View city guide
- Detroit: 3 neighborhoods (12% of top 25) — View city guide
- Miami: 3 neighborhoods (12% of top 25) — View city guide
- Washington DC: 2 neighborhoods (8% of top 25) — View city guide
- St. Louis: 2 neighborhoods (8% of top 25) — View city guide
- Los Angeles: 1 neighborhood (4% of top 25) — View city guide
- Philadelphia: 1 neighborhood (4% of top 25) — View city guide
- Charlotte: 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
- Portland: 1 neighborhood (4% of top 25) — View city guide
This distribution has practical implications for Home Improvement 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 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 Home Improvement 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.
From national ranking to a specific Home Improvement Store location
Use this ranking to shortlist neighborhoods, then drill down to specific addresses. StreetSpring uses AI to predict business survivability across U.S. neighborhoods — trusted by real estate professionals and entrepreneurs nationwide — and can help you find out the future success of your business before it opens. 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 Home Improvement Stores.
Why score alone shouldn't drive the lease decision
See also: Best Cities for Home Improvement Store — our city-level comparison ranks which metros offer the strongest overall conditions for Home Improvement Stores.
Which Subtypes Thrive Alongside Home Improvement Stores
If you're evaluating a Home Improvement Store location, the same neighborhoods that score well for Home Improvement Stores often score well for adjacent businesses. A few examples across the national distribution:
Tysons, Washington DC — ranked #1 nationally — the strongest neighborhood for Home Improvement Stores (90% survivability for Home Improvement Store) Other business types that thrive in Tysons:
- Georgian Restaurant (96% survivability)
- Veterinary Clinic (96% survivability)
- Portuguese Restaurant (96% survivability)
Lyon-Street, Los Angeles — ranked #714 of 1426 — a mid-ranked national neighborhood (68% survivability for Home Improvement Store) Other business types that thrive in Lyon-Street:
- Caribbean / Latin Restaurant (84% survivability)
- Diner (84% survivability)
- Portuguese Restaurant (83% survivability)
Rolando, San Diego — ranked #1426 of 1426 — among the lower-ranked national neighborhoods (53% survivability for Home Improvement Store) Other business types that thrive in Rolando:
- Pet Grooming Shop (82% survivability)
- Kosher Restaurant (81% survivability)
- American Restaurant (80% survivability)
These cross-subtype patterns show up consistently — the strongest neighborhoods for Home Improvement Stores aren't one-trick markets.
Related Resources
Explore top cities represented in these neighborhoods:
- Portland: Best businesses and neighborhoods
- St. Louis: Best businesses and neighborhoods
- Philadelphia: Best businesses and neighborhoods
- Charlotte: Best businesses and neighborhoods
- New York City: Best businesses and neighborhoods
National city rankings: Best cities for Home Improvement 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 Home Improvement Stores?
The cities most represented in the top 25 for Home Improvement Stores are Chicago (5), New York City (4), Detroit (3). This concentration reflects the relative strength of consumer demand and competitive conditions for Home Improvement Stores in these markets. City-specific guides provide deeper analysis of each city's neighborhoods.
Is the competitive environment for Home Improvement Stores stronger in some markets than others?
Yes — competition density for Home Improvement Stores varies significantly by market. In the top-ranked neighborhoods, StreetSpring's model identifies favorable competitive dynamics as a primary driver of high survivability scores. In more saturated markets, even strong consumer spending may not overcome competitive pressure. StreetSpring's address-level tool shows the exact competitive environment at any specific location.
What is the typical survivability range for Home Improvement Stores in top neighborhoods?
The top 25 neighborhoods nationwide for Home Improvement Stores average 80.5% survivability. The national average across all analyzed neighborhoods is 67.8%. The spread between top neighborhoods and the national average is 12.7% — representing the tangible survivability advantage of choosing a top-ranked location.
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.
Where can I download the underlying data?
The full national survivability dataset is available as a free download: https://streetspring.com/resources/data/national-survivability-scores-2026.csv. The CSV includes all business subtypes and neighborhoods covered in this analysis, licensed under CC BY 4.0.
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 Home Improvement 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 type of neighborhood is best for opening a Home Improvement Store?
The best neighborhoods for Home Improvement 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 Home Improvement Store customer base. In StreetSpring's 2026 data, the top-ranked neighborhoods for Home Improvement Stores combine these factors in a way that produces survivability scores well above the national average of 67.8%. Neighborhoods with dense existing competition or low category spending tend to score significantly lower, regardless of overall foot traffic or prestige.
How does the national ranking for Home Improvement Stores compare to city-level rankings?
The national neighborhood ranking for Home Improvement Stores identifies the strongest neighborhoods across all 24 analyzed metros. City-level rankings provide a more granular view of the best neighborhoods within a specific city. In cases where a city has multiple neighborhoods in the national top 25, the city-level guide shows the full ranking of all neighborhoods in that market — including those outside the national top 25 that may still offer strong site-specific opportunities.
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 Home Improvement Stores 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.