New York has 2,730 barbershops & salons, but only 8 cells are truly saturated — independents make up 97% of the market.
2,730 barbershops & salons mapped · 1,463 occupied cells · Updated August 2026 · From 100+ sources
Walking distance
Tap anywhere on the map to score that corner — competitors within walking distance and a clear verdict.
The verdict on New York
New York has 2,730 barbershops & salons on the map, spread across 1,463 cells of roughly 350 meters each.
Saturation is concentrated: only 8 cells hold 8 or more, while 1,314 cells have three or fewer.
Chains hold 89 locations (3%) of the map — European Wax Center alone has 5 locations. In most of the city your competition is independent — differentiation, not brand power, is the game.
What this view covers: barber shops and hair salons specifically. Beauty salons, hairdressers tagged separately, and nail salons often sit under different search terms, so they aren't fully captured or separately validated here — treat those counts as incomplete, not a market census. .
What Customers Say
What people love
Warm and welcoming atmosphere
Customers highly appreciate shops that foster a friendly, comfortable, and positive environment from the moment they walk in.
Kid-friendly service
Operators who show extreme patience and care with kids, especially those with sensory needs, earn high praise from parents.
Attentive listening and precise execution
Clients love when stylists take the time to understand exactly what they want and deliver precise, high-quality results.
Consistent quality and long-term loyalty
Many customers highlight their multi-year loyalty to specific barbers and stylists who deliver reliable results every visit.
Common complaints
Botched cuts and ignoring client instructions
A major source of frustration is when stylists ignore specific requests, cutting hair too short or ruining the requested style.
Rude or unprofessional staff behavior
Customers complain about feeling unwelcome, being dismissed, or experiencing disrespectful attitudes from staff members.
Scheduling and appointment mismanagement
Clients express frustration over double-booked slots, long wait times despite having appointments, and rushed services.
Pricing discrepancies and payment friction
Complaints often center around unexpected price increases, holiday overcharging, and inconvenient cash-only or surcharge policies.
→Recommended to explore
Based on supply signals only — see “What this map can't tell you” below.
2,730barbershops & salons mapped
15in the densest single cell
89chain locations (3% of the map)
5are European Wax Center alone
Most saturated cells
Top chains
European Wax Center5Levels Barbershop4Otis & Finn Barbershop4George's Barber Shop4Elegant Barber Shop4
Chain vs. Independent by Borough
A location counts as a chain when the same business name appears at 2+ mapped places citywide. Sorted by independent share (highest first).
BoroughIndependentChainIndependent %
Queens5931497.7%
Bronx5301497.4%
Brooklyn10083296.9%
Manhattan4002294.8%
Staten Island110794%
Most open ground
Largest contiguous pockets of cells with one or fewer barbershops & salons nearby (centers within ~800 m).
Foot traffic at a specific door, commercial rents, or whether demand matches the gap — an empty cell can be an opportunity or just an empty street. Cross-check any spot in person before signing anything.
Common questions
How many barbershops & salons are there in New York?
2,730 barbershops & salons are currently mapped in New York (compiled from 100+ sources, August 2026).
Where is the highest concentration of barbershops & salons in New York?
The densest single cell holds 15 barbershops & salons within roughly 350 meters — around Far Rockaway-Bayswater.
How much of the market is chains?
89 locations (3%) belong to identifiable chains; European Wax Center alone has 5 locations.
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