Research Reports

Explore data-driven research on real estate, housing, self storage, moving trends and economic forces shaping today’s markets.

How Much Does Self Storage Really Cost? A Breakdown By States And Cities

The self storage industry continues to expand in the United States, answering customers’ needs for safe and affordable storage space. Yardi Matrix data shows that there are currently about 1.4 billion square feet of self storage space in the US, and about 190 million square feet, or around 13%, were built over the last five years alone.

Self Storage Done Properly Is Doing Fantastic, Says Industry Professional

The year we just ended was complicated and challenging for the entire society, people and businesses alike. Some sectors of the economy were more affected by the pandemic than others, particularly those in hospitality, tourism, and other service industries. Real estate, on the other hand, managed to navigate last year better than most economic sectors, with self storage emerging as one of the most resilient industries in the real estate world.

Texans Get Some Of USA’s Best Self Storage Deals — Only Nevadans & Utahns Get More Square Feet Each

Texas is bigger and bolder than the rest of the country and has a generous self storage sector to match — its large cities offer more square feet of storage space than almost anywhere else. And in addition to helping Texans enjoy their lifestyles to the max, the industry steps up to the plate in challenging times. This enhances its reputation for being both a valuable service and a worthwhile investment opportunity.

San Antonio’s Self Storage Sector: Competitive And Plenty Of Customers

San Antonio, Texas, supports its residents with a strong self storage sector that steps up whether they are in the process of moving or simply need a place to store excess possessions. It has adapted to changing circumstances and needs, maintaining a strong client base, and its competitiveness helps keep street rates attractive for renters.

bohemian workers sitting at a table

NY, LA or Minneapolis? See the Best Metros for Bohemian Workers to Hang Their Hats

Key findings:

The Most Popular Items People Put In Self Storage, State By State

Self storage remains a popular service for Americans — about a third of the respondents of a recent survey said they are using self storage, or have used it in the past, and an additional 11% are planning to use it in the future. The industry saw tremendous growth in recent years — currently, there are over 1.4 billion square feet of storage space in the US, according to Yardi Matrix. About 190 million square feet, or 13% of that, were built over the past five years alone.

Online Solutions, Perks Help Honolulu Self Storage Navigate New Market Challenges

Honolulu is the most expensive city for self storage among the country’s top 100 largest cities. The monthly street rate for a non-climate controlled, 10×10 storage unit in Honolulu hovers around $276, more than double the national average for the same type of unit. According to the latest National Self Storage Report from Yardi Matrix, national street rates for standard 10×10 storage units sit at $116 per month.

San Diego skyline

Online Procedures And Fewer Vacates Keep San Diego Self Storage Buoyant

San Diego boasts not only a great climate and the world’s largest naval fleet, but its diverse and advanced industries keep the economy comparatively buoyant. Anyone moving here to take advantage of this — and San Diegans who want to maximize their lifestyles — can benefit particularly from the self storage in the city, so we talked to a local provider to see how they can help.

woman shopping online for the holidays

Holiday Spending Survey: Anxiety Over the Economy Tempers the Holiday Shopping Frenzy For Some, Others Still Splurge

The holiday season is the busiest time of the year for most retailers in the US – and across the world for that matter. This year, however, the sound of cash registers will be reduced significantly. Instead, shopping will be done online now more than ever. As the world is faced with pandemic-related challenges, many people plan to cut down on usual holiday shopping, stripping purchases to essentials and re-organizing priorities.

Chicago Skyline

Chicago Self Storage Sees More Suburbanites And RVs

Chicago, famously the Windy City, weathers all manner of circumstances with its can-do attitude. And the local self storage sector is there to help too, whether residents need to move to a new home, perhaps to downsize, or simply to store precious belongings in an economical manner. We asked a leading self storage provider to tell us how the industry in the city is doing right now.

Austin, TX, skyline

Austin TX Self Storage Adapts And Stays Strong

Austin offers many advantages to its residents, and its strong economy and job market have encouraged its self storage sector to grow over the years. To find out how the industry is doing in the city right now, we asked a leading local self storage provider. They explained how they have adapted to the challenges presented by the current pandemic, enabling them to successfully respond to customers’ changing needs.

Self storage facility units with some open doors

How To Start Out In Self Storage

Entrepreneurs look for projects which tick several boxes, giving good return on investment, financial security, flexibility, and some enjoyment as well. The self storage sector can provide all of this, particularly right now when other sectors may not be so suitable. And if that wasn’t enough good news, it’s also an industry which is not so difficult to start out in.