Austin is expanding rapidly — and with it, so is the need for extra space. Over the past decade, the city’s self storage sector has been on a major growth spree, adding nearly a third of its total inventory in just 10 years. Today, Austin offers 10 million rentable square feet of self storage, or over seven square feet per person, aligning with the national benchmark.
This surge in supply is a direct response to consistent and evolving demand. While traditional self storage drivers – such as downsizing, moving, or running a business – remain key factors, housing-related needs are playing an increasingly prominent role. Home prices in Austin have climbed sharply in recent years, now topping $600,000 – a stark increase that has pushed more residents into the rental market. Over the past two decades, the city’s apartment sector has expanded 86%, making it the 8th largest in the U.S., with approximately 135,000 rental units.
At the same time, Austin’s population is booming. The city is now home to more than 980,000 people, up 7% from a decade ago – more than double the growth rate of Houston (3%) and Dallas (2%). With more residents and smaller living spaces, it’s no surprise that interest in self storage has surged 18% year-over-year in 2024, with over 8,900 monthly searches. Additionally, online searches for “downsizing” are among the highest in the nation.
Austin’s growing need for storage drove construction to new highs
Fueled by strong demand, self storage construction in Austin surged over the last decade, with more than 3 million square feet delivered between 2015 and 2024 — roughly a third of the city’s total inventory.
The peak year for self storage construction was 2017, when developers brought approximately 783,000 square feet of new storage space online. The momentum continued in 2018, with over 703,000 square feet delivered, mirroring national trends in commercial real estate expansion.
However, construction fluctuated toward the end of the decade due to high existing inventories and the economic downturn triggered by the pandemic. The slowdown was especially evident in 2022, when virtually no large-scale projects were completed. Activity picked up in 2023, adding 168,000 square feet of new storage space to the market.
Now, Austin’s self storage market is set for a strong comeback in 2025, as developers respond to rising demand and the city’s resilient economy. Approximately 317,000 square feet of new storage space is scheduled for delivery this year - a 264% increase from 2024’s 87,000 square feet.
Among the notable projects breaking ground, a 987-unit self storage facility is currently under construction in Austin, slated for completion in 2025. Led by Bakke Development, the project will add over 100,000 square feet of new storage space to the local market.
Meanwhile, in McKinney, a three-story facility is set to deliver over 75,000 square feet of new storage space in 2025, providing extra options in the greater metro area.
Healthy inventory levels keep storage rates renter-friendly in Austin
A strong decade of self storage development in Austin has kept street rates affordable, giving locals easy access to storage away from home.
Currently, a storage unit in Austin goes for $131 per month - a noticeable drop from the 2022 peak of $147, when demand surged due to the work-from-home boom. With prices now settling back to pre-pandemic levels, self storage remains an accessible solution for locals looking to declutter, move, or store seasonal items without breaking the bank.
As Austin’s population continues to grow, self storage remains a vital part of the city’s real estate landscape — providing essential space solutions for urban dwellers downsizing, businesses managing inventory, and new residents transitioning into the city. With demand rebounding and new projects on the horizon, Austin’s self storage sector is set to remain a key player in the city’s economic and real estate growth.
Under-Bed Storage Ideas: From Options to Precautions
The space under your bed is some of the most valuable (and most overlooked) square footage in your home. For anyone needing more storage in a small apartment, tiny home, a student dorm or just a space shared with roommates, that low, hidden zone can absorb off-season clothes, spare bedding and luggage without cluttering a single visible surface. But under-bed storage rewards a little strategy. Used well, it clears your floors and frees your closets. Used carelessly, it can trap moisture against your mattress and, in time, damage the very things you were trying to protect. Here are some under-bed storage ideas to help you get the upside without the downside.
RV Storage Ideas: Smart Solutions for Every Space
The best RV storage ideas work by finding space you already have but aren’t using — under beds, inside cabinet doors, on walls, above entry steps and in the overhead bunk. Most RV owners run out of obvious places quickly, but the real storage capacity in a typical trailer or motorhome comes from vertical surfaces, divided compartments and rethinking what each space was designed for.
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Where to Donate Clothes in NYC: From Pickup to Mutual Aid
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The Best U.S. Metros To Own A Boat
Boating is one of America’s favorite pastimes. According to the National Marine Manufacturers Association, nearly 100 million Americans go boating each year, and recreational boating contributes over $230 billion annually to the U.S. economy. It’s a lifestyle deeply shaped by geography, climate, and local culture.
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Sometimes a move sneaks up on you and you wind up having to move in a hurry. A job starts sooner than expected, a lease ends abruptly, a sale closes fast, or life simply throws a curveball and suddenly you’re staring at a full house with only days or weeks to empty it. That short timeline can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to mean chaos. With a focused plan and a few smart shortcuts, you can pack up quickly, protect your belongings, and land in your new home without losing your mind.
How to Store Tools Properly: Keep Equipment Rust-Free and Tidy
Good tool storage saves you time, money and the very specific rage of finding a rusted drill you paid good money for. Cleaning, drying and organizing your tools properly keeps them rust-free and findable — and it takes less effort than most people assume. True, nobody wakes up thrilled to organize their tools; it ranks somewhere between cleaning the gutters and reading the terms of service. But here’s how to do it right without the hassle.
Drive-Up Storage Units: Pros, Cons and When They’re Worth It
A drive-up storage unit is a ground-level space with an exterior roll-up door, a lot like a detached garage. Units are usually arranged in rows with wide, paved aisles between them, so you can pull a car, van, or moving truck directly up to your door during access hours. The key feature is the access, and it comes in a few forms:
2026’s Best Cities for Roommates: Irvine, CA, and Atlanta, GA, Lead in Shared Living Gains
Americans sharing a two-bedroom apartment instead of renting a one-bedroom alone can save, on average, about $6,700 per year. In some of the country’s most expensive cities, including Irvine, California, or Jersey City, New Jersey, the savings gap widens to around $13,000. For a growing share of renters, living with roommates is less of a lifestyle arrangement and more a conscious financial strategy.