San Francisco Self Storage Market Statistics:
Self storage has become crucial for navigating major life events. It can be particularly useful for events such as moving, downsizing and when changes in household composition occur, as well as when engaging in home remodeling projects and organizational endeavors. San Francisco offers plenty of self storage options to cater to all needs and budgets.
How much does a storage unit cost in San Francisco, CA?
Currently, the average cost of a 10x10 storage unit in San Francisco is $284/month, an increase of 1.1% compared to last year. Nationally, self storage street rates for 10×10 non-climate-controlled units saw a 0.8% year-over-year decrease, registering an average of $123 in May, 2025.
San Francisco self storage prices by unit size
Besides the standard 10x10 unit, the San Francisco self storage market includes several other types of units that can vary in terms of size and amenities, and naturally, price.
For instance, a 5x5 self storage unit in San Francisco rents for $121, while a 5x10 unit would cost $179/month. Average street rates for a 10x20 unit stand at $531/month. Non-climate-controlled units typically come with lower price tags than their climate-controlled counterparts of the same size.
| Unit Size | Avg. Street Rate |
|---|---|
| 5x5 | $121 |
| 5x10 | $179 |
| 10x10 | $284 |
| 10x15 | $399 |
| 10x20 | $531 |
| 10x30 | $685 |
| Unit Size | Avg. Street Rate |
|---|---|
| 5x5 | $131 |
| 5x10 | $197 |
| 10x10 | $285 |
| 10x15 | $407 |
| 10x20 | $548 |
| 10x30 | $654 |
* Average monthly rates for San Francisco in May 2025.
Average storage unit cost in San Francisco by neighborhood
Self storage prices can vary depending on location as some neighborhoods might offer more budget-friendly self storage rates than others.
You can find cheap San Francisco storage units in Ingleside Heights, where the standard self storage unit goes for $196/mo. on average, in Inner Mission, where renters pay $205/mo. on average, and in Central Waterfront - Dogpatch, where the average street rates hover around $215/mo.
If you’re looking for other great deals, check out self storage listings, and their average street rates, in Silver Terrace ($229) and Hayes Valley ($234).
Other neighborhoods, on the other hand, come with higher street rates. The most expensive neighborhood in San Francisco is Hunters Point with a monthly average street rate of $397, followed by Bayview.
| # | Neighborhood | Average Street Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ingleside Heights | $196 |
| 2 | Inner Mission | $205 |
| 3 | Central Waterfront - Dogpatch | $215 |
| # | Neighborhood | Average Street Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hunters Point | $397 |
| 2 | Bayview | $296 |
| 3 | Treasure Island | $283 |
Compare average storage prices in San Francisco neighborhoods
Want to find the best self storage deals? Browse listings in your preferred San Francisco neighborhoods and San Francisco Zip Codes for more details on what’s available and compare rent prices, unit sizes and amenities.
How San Francisco, CA, Self Storage Compares With Other Cities
How self storage costs in San Francisco compare to prices in other nearby cities
Check out the table below to see how self storage in San Francisco compares rent-wise to other places within a 50-mile radius.
| # | City | Average Street Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Corte Madera, CA | $317 |
| 2 | Daly City, CA | $301 |
| 3 | Emeryville, CA | $289 |
| 4 | San Francisco, CA | $284 |
| 5 | South San Francisco, CA | $282 |
| 6 | Berkeley, CA | $279 |
| 7 | Pacifica, CA | $278 |
| 8 | Richmond, CA | $220 |
| 9 | Alameda, CA | $217 |
| 10 | Oakland, CA | $202 |
Average street rates for non-climate-controlled 10x10 units for May 2025.
How self storage costs in San Francisco compare to rates in other sought-after cities in the US
Check out the table below to see how self storage rent in San Francisco compares to other popular cities in the US.
| # | City | Average Street Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco, CA | $284 |
| 2 | New York City, NY | $260 |
| 3 | Phoenix, AZ | $118 |
| 4 | Jacksonville, FL | $116 |
| 5 | Las Vegas, NV | $115 |
| 6 | Austin, TX | $111 |
| 7 | Dallas, TX | $110 |
| 8 | Houston, TX | $101 |
| 9 | San Antonio, TX | $99 |
| 10 | Oklahoma City, OK | $77 |
Average street rates for non-climate-controlled 10x10 units for May 2025.
Self storage market size in San Francisco, CA
San Francisco self storage market statistics
| No. of self storage units | approx. 4,657 |
| No. of self storage facilities | 28 |
| Local self storage inventory (sq. ft.) | 2,192,181 |
| Self storage sq. ft. per capita | 2.1 |
| Average self storage rent in San Francisco for a standard 10x10 unit | $284 |
San Francisco self storage construction trends
The self storage sector has maintained an active development pipeline in recent years.
Currently, there are 28 self storage facilities and approx. 4,657 storage units in San Francisco. The local inventory encompasses 2,192,181 square feet of storage space, offering 2.1 square feet per capita.
What’s driving demand for self storage?
Quick overview of the San Francisco housing market
| Total no. of households | 372,027 |
| Y-o-y change in no. of households | -2.7% |
| Renter households in San Francisco | 233,851 |
| Homeowner households in San Francisco | 138,176 |
| Households with mortgages in San Francisco | 87,671 |
| Median number of rooms (all housing units) | 4.0 |
| Average apartment size (sq. ft.) | 740 |
| Average home size (sq. ft.) | 1,348 |
| Average apartment rent | $3,493 |
| Median home value | $1,403,100 |
| Working from home (% of total working population) | 17.6% |
Self storage for residential clients: key facts and figures about the San Francisco housing market
Generally associated with life events, the self storage industry is equipped to respond to people with changing housing situations, whether that means moving, downsizing, welcoming a new baby, or embracing multi-generational living. Lifestyle choices are also a demand driver for self storage, including preferences for snowbirding, digital nomading and RV travelling.
Looking at the type of residential customers that the San Francisco self storage sector serves, it caters to both renters and homeowners, acting as extensions of their homes when living spaces are not big enough for the things people own.
San Francisco is home to 233,851 renters and 138,176 homeowners. The average apartment size in San Francisco is 740 sq. ft. and the average San Francisco home size is 1,348 sq. ft.
Self storage for business
Alongside the residential sector, self storage responds to needs arising from conducting business. Entrepreneurs and small business owners, including brick-and-mortar retailers, can turn to self storage to store their merchandise all while keeping it accessible.
Legal and medical professionals often turn to self storage as they are generally required to keep hard copies of their records. Realtors and interior designers also find self storage particularly useful for temporarily storing staging furniture. Moreover, blue collar businesses can benefit from storing their heavy equipment and supplies close to their work site.
Expert insights on San Francisco's self storage market
Get expert insights into the city's self storage industry, from socio-economic factors to the market dynamics of supply and demand.
The Bay Area, particularly San Francisco, Oakland, and San Jose, faces high housing costs and limited space. As the population grows and demand outstrips supply, many residents are moving into smaller apartments with less room but continuing to accumulate belongings, leading to limited living spaces that can't accommodate all their items.
Ramon Kochavi
District Manager,
Marcus & Millichap – San Francisco
Which factors underpin the local boom of self storage development in the past few years?
The Bay Area, particularly San Francisco, Oakland, and San Jose, faces high housing costs and limited space. As the population grows and demand outstrips supply, many residents are moving into smaller apartments with less room but continuing to accumulate belongings, leading to limited living spaces that can't accommodate all their items.
Where does local demand for self storage come from?
With land costs high, apartments tend to be smaller, creating a need for self storage. As people downsize or move to more compact homes, they increasingly rely on storage solutions for their excess items.
What major economic events affected the self storage industry in San Diego?
The COVID-19 pandemic had a dramatic effect on the economy, as many businesses closed or shifted to remote work. As people left high-density urban areas in search of more space, they needed storage for furniture and items that no longer fit in their current living arrangements.
With more people working from home, many sought additional space for home offices, leading to increased demand for self storage to store furniture and other items that weren’t part of the new home office setup. Many sought self storage for items they no longer needed in their apartments but still wanted to keep.
How do you envision the future of the local self storage industry, in the medium- and long-term?
Self storage is evolving with the integration of smart technology. Features like automated access systems, smart climate controls, and AI-driven inventory management systems will soon become standard, improving convenience and efficiency and enhancing the overall customer experience.
Self storage market trends in cities
Where does our data come from?
All data related to self storage was compiled by StorageCafe, an online self storage search portal featuring more than 28,000 listings across the U.S.
The self storage rental statistics on this page were sourced from our sister company, Yardi Matrix, the industry's most comprehensive market intelligence tool for investment professionals, equity investors, lenders and property managers who underwrite and manage investments in the multifamily, student housing, self storage, office and industrial sectors. Yardi Matrix maintains operational profiles for over 30,000 self storage facilities across the U.S.
Average home size data is from PropertyShark, while demographic data is from the latest U.S. Census Bureau release, the 2020 American Community Survey.