New York has 1,604 nail salons, but only a handful of cells are truly saturated — independents make up 95% of the market.
1,604 nail salons mapped · 1,059 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 1,604 nail salons on the map, spread across 1,059 cells of roughly 350 meters each.
Saturation is concentrated: only 2 cells hold 8 or more, while 1,025 cells have three or fewer.
Chains hold 78 locations (5%) of the map — QQ Nails & Spa alone has 20 locations. In most of the city your competition is independent — differentiation, not brand power, is the game.
What this view covers: nail salons specifically. Beauty salons, hair salons, and spas 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
Long-lasting results
Customers love when gel, dip, or acrylic sets last for weeks without chipping or lifting.
Attention to detail
Clients highly appreciate technicians who take their time to ensure perfect shaping and precise polish application.
Clean and hygienic salons
Many reviews praise salons that maintain immaculate, spotless spaces and use sterilized tools.
Friendly and welcoming staff
Customers frequently highlight technicians who are sweet, polite, and make them feel welcomed.
Common complaints
Premature chipping and lifting
A major source of frustration is gel, dip, or regular polish that chips, peels, or lifts within just a few days.
Rough handling and injuries
Clients complain about technicians who file too hard, dig into toes, or cut cuticles, causing bleeding and infections.
Rude and dismissive staff
Many negative reviews cite rushed service, hostile attitudes, and staff gossiping about clients.
Unsanitary tools and practices
Customers are highly concerned when salons reuse dirty files, skip pedicure tub liners, or fail to sterilize tools.
Ignored appointments and long waits
Clients are frustrated when salons fail to honor scheduled appointment times, forcing them to wait for long periods.
→Recommended to explore
Based on supply signals only — see “What this map can't tell you” below.
1,604nail salons mapped
12in the densest single cell
78chain locations (5% of the map)
20are QQ Nails & Spa alone
Most saturated cells
Top chains
QQ Nails & Spa20Honey Nail Salon7Element Beauty Lounge4One L Professional4[ p H 7 ] Natural nails & Sugaring3
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 %
Bronx272797.5%
Queens328997.3%
Staten Island1891095%
Brooklyn5242994.8%
Manhattan2132390.3%
Most open ground
Largest contiguous pockets of cells with one or fewer nail 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 nail salons are there in New York?
1,604 nail salons are currently mapped in New York (compiled from 100+ sources, August 2026).
Where is the highest concentration of nail salons in New York?
The densest single cell holds 12 nail salons within roughly 350 meters — around Brighton Beach.
How much of the market is chains?
78 locations (5%) belong to identifiable chains; QQ Nails & Spa alone has 20 locations.
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