Whether you’re moving, leaving town for a while, or simply possess more belongings than you have space for, there often comes a time when you need to rent a storage unit. With the bevy of options available, there’s a lot to consider. And cost is probably at the top of your mind. So what are the different storage unit prices?
The answer varies depending on size, climate control, facility type, and more. This guide will provide an overview of the average storage unit price offered by traditional storage facilities and the factors that affect these storage rates.
How Much Does It Cost to Rent a Storage Unit?
Storage units are often rented on a monthly basis, and storage rates vary depending on the size
the unit. While storage units are typically considered secure, the types of available storage space vary widely. For instance, some storage units are indoor units, and others can be accessed from outside. Still, the biggest price factor in similarly sized storage units is climate control. While there are some differences in average cost due to location and other factors, you can generally expect your storage unit rental price to fall within these storage industry standard averages:
- The average storage rental price for a standard storage unit typically ranges from $60-$180 per month.
- The average storage rental price for a climate-controlled storage unit typically ranges from $75-$225 per month.
Average Storage Unit Price by Size
It’s clear that storage rates vary quite widely, even within the same type of unit. The reason for this is typically size. The size of the unit varies by square feet, and monthly cost will rise as units get larger. So to get a more accurate comparison, it’s essential to compare prices among different sizes of units.
Storage Unit Sizes: A Price Comparison
The size guide below provides what you should expect to pay for different storage options. The units are in square feet, and you can expect to pay higher prices for larger units.
| Size (sq. ft) | 5’x5′ | 5’x10′ | 10’x10′ | 10’x15′ | 10’x20′ |
| Average Monthly Price | $60 | $70 | $110 | $130 | $180 |
| Climate-Controlled Average Monthly Price | $75 | $88 | $138 | $163 | $225 |
| What Fits | Several boxes or furniture items, seasonal items, or college summer storage. | Studio or small 1-bedroom apartment items. | Small 2-bedroom or larger 1-bedroom apartment items. | Larger 1-2 bedroom house items, a compact car, or small recreational toys. | 3-4 bedroom home items or a standard-sized vehicle. |
Cost Factors for Storage Units
To determine the storage unit rate you’ll actually pay, you’ll need to take several factors into consideration. Depending on these factors, you may be paying slightly more or a little less than the average storage unit cost.
Facility Type
The type of self storage facility can greatly affect average storage unit prices. For instance, indoor storage may be more expensive than outdoor storage, and monthly rates will likely rise if you need climate control.
But beyond just the types of features within the storage facility, you should also be mindful of types of rentals available. The three main facility options to consider are:
- Managed storage — A crew of movers gathers your belongings and delivers them to a storage space for you. Typically the most expensive option.
- Self storage — Reserves you a secure rental unit, then leaves you responsible for moving and storing your belongings. Generally less expensive than managed storage, though prices vary depending on insurance, administrative fees, and the storage features you need.
- Peer-to-peer storage — Community residents and business owners rent out spare storage space. If you use a peer-to-peer platform like Neighbor, you can find storage space up to half the price of more traditional rental options.
Not sure what kind of storage unit to get? Use our guide on types of storage units to help you choose the perfect solution for your needs.
Location
Your storage location can drive up your storage unit price. Public storage facilities in urban areas are often more expensive due to high demand. However, you may be able to save money if you’re willing to drive further to use a storage unit in a less populated area.
Size of Unit
The most affordable storage usually entails small storage units. While you want to choose a storage unit slightly larger than you think you’ll need, the storage unit cost will increase considerably with larger-sized units. Take the time to calculate the square footage you actually need and purge items you intend to replace. You should also learn how to organize the unit efficiently to maximize every square foot.
Here’s a quick comparison of what some of the most common storage sizes resemble:
- 5’5′ — A walk-in closet.
- 5’x10′ — A small studio apartment.
- 10’x10‘ — A large one-bedroom apartment.
- 10’x20′ — A one-car garage.
- 10×30 — A one-and-a-half car garage.
Keep in mind that when you use Neighbor’s peer-to-peer platform to find available storage near you, you’ll see a breakdown of average prices in your area across different unit sizes.
Figure out the perfect amount of square footage by consulting a comprehensive storage size guide.
Seasonality and Availability
Self storage prices are often lower in the winter. 80% of moves in America occur between the months of April and September, driving up demand (and the average storage unit price). However, if you live in an area that isn’t densely populated with a wealth of available storage units, then you might get a lower rate than average.
Insurance
Most traditional storage facilities require you to protect your possessions with some type of insurance coverage. If you don’t have renters or homeowners insurance, then you may have the option to purchase insurance through your storage facility. But not all facilities offer it. If you do opt for storage insurance provided by the storage facility, then the cost of insurance premiums will be added to your monthly storage unit price.
In lieu of insurance, Neighbor offers affordable protection plans to ensure your possessions are taken care of, without leaving you on the hook for exorbitant fees.
Protect your stored belongings using our storage insurance guide for navigating the type of coverage you need.
Climate Control
Some items that could sustain damage in traditional storage conditions can benefit from a climate-controlled storage unit. These units eliminate the dangers of damage due to extreme temperature changes. These units may also include humidity control. However, temperature-controlled storage unit prices are always higher than non-temperature controlled units.
Find climate-controlled storage near you.
Duration of Occupancy
Long-term vs. short-term rental contracts can have an effect on your storage unit price. While many storage facilities typically rent out storage units on a month-to-month basis, some have a minimum rental duration requirement (usually three months). Since rental payments are typically taken care of when you sign on the dotted line, it’s essential to know the total cost to rent a storage unit upfront with any minimum rental durations factored in.
Level of Service
Storage unit pricing can vary between a full-service facility and a self-service storage facility. Full-service storage facilities include pickup, delivery, and often photo documentation of your possessions, but these perks come at a cost. You can expect full-service storage units to have a higher monthly rate than self storage units. And the most cost-effective option often involves using a peer-to-peer marketplace to find property owners with extra space available to rent.
Security Deposit and Administration Fees
Each facility has different practices regarding security deposit amounts and the fees associated with renting a storage unit. These are typically upfront costs, but administration fees can be a monthly charge.
While many traditional full service and self-storage rental options will often have these extra costs attached, Neighbor always lets you rent out space on a month to month basis and never comes with any hidden administrative fees.
Specials or Add-Ons
You can often get a discounted price if your storage facility offers discounts like getting the first month free. However, when you take advantage of add-ons offered by the facility (like storage bins, packing supplies, padlocks, labor assistance, 24-hour access, and drive-up access), you’ll likely spend more on your final storage unit cost than you bargained for.
Affordable Monthly Storage Rates With Neighbor
We know that cost is a leading factor when shopping for a storage unit. So with average monthly prices and factors for renting a unit from a traditional storage facility now considered, it’s clear that Neighbor is the better solution for finding less pricey storage units that meet your needs. Neighbor is a storage company that connects residents who have extra space with renters who need to use that space. It’s like Airbnb for storing your belongings.
Renters that move away from traditional storage facilities and leverage peer-to-peer storage solutions like Neighbor can find the type of storage unit they need and often pay 50% less than units in storage facilities. Consider these average prices for renting a storage unit with Neighbor compared to the cost of renting a storage unit through traditional storage facilities.
| Unit Size | Average Monthly Price on Neighbor | Average Monthly Price at Storage Facilities |
| 5’x5′ | $20 | $60 |
| 5’x10′ | $26 | $70 |
| 5’x15′ | $50 | $90-$100 |
| 10’x10′ | $42 | $110 |
| 10’x15′ | $44 | $130 |
| 10’x20′ | $72 | $180 |
| 15’x15′ | $100 | $183 |
| 20’x20′ | $105 | $150 |
Obviously, when it comes to storing your possessions, the storage unit price isn’t the only thing you’re worried about. Neighbor gives renters complete autonomy over their storage location, flexible month-to-month booking options, and protection plans to keep stored items safe and insured.
For many renters, it’s easy to find a variety of storage unit types, from indoor rooms to garage spaces conveniently located in secure residential areas.
Finding a secure space to store your belongings doesn’t have to cost a fortune. For many, it simply means finding a new solution that fits your storage needs.
Use Neighbor to find self storage units in your area to accommodate all your excess belongings.
Browse all our helpful storage guides:
- Storage Unit Size Guide
- Average Monthly Storage Unit Costs
- Types of Storage Units
- Storage Unit Insurance Guide
- How to Calculate Square Footage
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