One of the most important decisions you’ll ever make in the laundromat business is location. A great location doesn’t just ensure traffic—it sets the tone for your brand, influences customer habits, and plays a major role in your revenue potential. At Laundry Advisors, we’ve worked with hundreds of successful owners across the country, and here’s our proven guide to choosing your perfect location.

1. Start With a Detailed Demographic Study

Understanding your customer starts with understanding your market. You’ll want a detailed demographic snapshot covering 1+, 3+, 5+, and 10-mile radius around your potential site. Here’s what to analyze:

A. Renters vs. Homeowners

• Renters are your core demographic. Nationwide, 60–70% of laundromat customers are renters.

• Target areas where at least 50% of the population rents within a 1–3-mile radius.

• Look for high-density apartment complexes, mobile home parks, duplexes, and older rental housing stock.

B. Median Household Income

• Sweet spot: $30,000–$65,000 annual income.

• Too high, and most households have in-unit laundry.

• Too low, and you may face more payment issues or lack of vehicle access.

• Use census data and third-party data tools like Esri, Tapestry Segmentation, or even Realtor.com for this info.

C. Employment Per Household

• Look for households where 2+ individuals are employed.

• Dual-income households are time-starved—and more likely to use wash-and-fold pickup/delivery services or drop-off fluff-and-fold.

D. Population Density

• Target a minimum of 15,000–20,000 people within a 1-mile radius.

• Density is king—urban or inner-suburban neighborhoods often outperform even “nicer” areas if the numbers are right.

2. Evaluate Traffic Count and Visibility

A. Vehicular Traffic

• Your laundromat should be on a major arterial road with 10,000–35,000+ vehicles per day.

• Look for intersections with stoplights, gas stations, fast food, or retail clusters.

• Ideal: right-hand side of the road going home for evening traffic.

B. Walk Score

• High walkability is a plus—especially in urban areas. Use WalkScore.com to evaluate.

• Areas with Walk Scores of 70+ can significantly increase foot traffic.

• Think proximity to apartments, schools, public transit, corner stores, and more.

3. Business Synergies: What’s Around You Matters

A laundromat doesn’t live in a vacuum. Surrounding businesses can either help or hurt your location’s viability.

A. Businesses That Attract Your Ideal Customer

• Dollar Stores (Dollar General, Family Dollar)

• Grocery Stores (Aldi, Food 4 Less, neighborhood markets)

• Cell Phone Stores (Cricket, Boost Mobile, MetroPCS)

• Check Cashing & Payday Loans

• Gas Stations

• Fast Casual Restaurants (Taco Bell, Subway, Little Caesars)

• Nail Salons and Barber Shops

These locations pull the same demographic you’re targeting: renters, low to mid-income earners, and people who want convenience.

B. Businesses That Can Benefit From Your Customers

• Coffee Shops and Cafés (great for waiting customers)

• Convenience Stores (cross-sell snacks, drinks)

• Local Delivery Services (team up for bundle promotions)

• Childcare or Learning Centers (wash time = free time)

Consider forming cross-promotional partnerships with these businesses.

4. Site-Specific Considerations

A. Parking

• Adequate parking is a must. Minimum of 1 space per 1.5 washers is ideal.

• Look for shared lots or dedicated off-street parking.

• In urban environments, ensure legal and visible street parking.

B. Square Footage

• Ideal size: 2,000–5,000 sq. ft.

• Too small, and you limit throughput and future service offerings.

• Too large, and your build-out cost could kill your ROI.

C. Utilities Access

• Confirm water, sewer, and gas availability.

• Make sure the line pressure can handle commercial washers and dryers.

• Request historical usage and infrastructure maps from city planning departments.

5. Competitive Analysis

• How many laundromats are in a 1–3-mile radius?

• Visit each. Are they full? Clean? Staffed?

• You want to enter a market that is underserved, not oversaturated.

• A modern, clean, customer-focused store can still crush older unattended stores—but be strategic.

6. Crime and Safety

• Use local crime maps and police data to review:

  • Theft

  • Vandalism

  • Break-ins

• Ensure your location has good lighting, visibility, and 24/7 camera potential.

• Consider investing in smart locks and remote security monitoring.

7. Zoning and Permitting

Before signing a lease:

• Confirm zoning allows for a laundromat or coin laundry use.

• Speak to your city’s planning office about build-out permits, utility upgrades, and required inspections.

8. Digital Footprint and Data Tools to Use

Here are tools to supercharge your research:

• Esri Community Analyst

• CoStar or LoopNet for commercial real estate listings

• Reonomy for owner/tenant data

• WalkScore

• Google Maps + Street View

• Placer.ai for foot traffic insights

• DataUSA.io for census/demographic overlays

Final Thoughts

Picking the perfect laundromat location is equal parts science and art. When you pair demographic precision with smart market strategy, your chances of launching a high-performing store rise dramatically.

Need help evaluating a site? That’s what Laundry Advisors does best. We help new and experienced laundromat owners run the numbers, understand the data, and pick locations that lead to million-dollar stores.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog is intended for general educational and planning purposes only. While these best practices are based on proven industry data and experience, every market and location is unique. Specific factors—such as local ordinances, property infrastructure, and regional customer behavior—can significantly impact the success of a laundromat and should be evaluated in person by a qualified professional. We strongly recommend consulting with a commercial real estate expert or laundromat development specialist before making any final decisions or investments. Use this guide as a foundational resource, not as a substitute for professional site analysis.