Storage Unit Prices Across the US: September, 2024
The national average street rate for a standard 10'x10' non-climate-controlled storage unit stands at around $121 per month.
Prices vary, however, depending on the amount of space you're looking to rent. Larger units, such as 10'x30', generally come with higher price tags, while smaller options like the 5'x5' lockers offer a more budget-friendly solution. The graph below captures recent pricing trends for the most commonly available storage unit sizes, providing a clear picture of the market's current state.
Self Storage Price Trends in the US
Note: Average US self storage rental rates by unit type.
How Much Does Self Storage Cost Across the US's Top 100 Cities?
Self storage has grown in popularity in recent times, largely driven by moving and lack of space at home. In an effort to respond to the solid demand, the industry has seen amplified construction efforts, with most of country's major urban hotspots now providing ample options for residents in need of self storage. However, self storage prices can vary significantly among those cities. Several factors, including local self storage stock, unit amenities and overall market conditions, are shaping how much a storage unit costs in any given location.
Among the 100 biggest US cities, the most expensive city for self storage is San Francisco, where a 10'x10' self storage unit costs about $273. The same type of unit in Oklahoma City hovers around $75.
Ranking Self Storage: Lowest to Highest Costs in Major US Cities
| # | City | State |
Avg Rent (10'x10' NON CC) |
Avg Rent (10'x10' CC) |
Avg Rent All Unit Types |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Augusta | Georgia | $83 | $97 | $110 |
| 2 | Las Cruces | New Mexico | $82 | $107 | $110 |
| 3 | Amarillo | Texas | $72 | $90 | $113 |
| 4 | Indianapolis | Indiana | $84 | $98 | $113 |
| 5 | Oklahoma City | Oklahoma | $75 | $96 | $113 |
| 6 | Omaha | Nebraska | $87 | $102 | $113 |
| 7 | Memphis | Tennessee | $77 | $104 | $114 |
| 8 | Cincinnati | Ohio | $93 | $108 | $116 |
| 9 | Greenville | South Carolina | $85 | $99 | $116 |
| 10 | Huntsville | Alabama | $78 | $105 | $118 |
Data Source: StorageCafe analysis of Yardi Matrix data as of September, 2024
Residents of Oklahoma City, Memphis and Indianapolis enjoy the least expensive storage unit prices among the country's major cities. The price for renting a self storage unit here falls well below the national average, allowing residents to store their extra belongings without breaking the bank.
San Francisco, Los Angeles and New York City emerge as the most expensive cities for self storage, with street rates considerably above the national average. Self storage prices are often driven by a mix of high occupancy rates and strong demand, in addition to local market supply. However, even with above-average street rates, self storage can prove a cost-efficient way to maximize space at home wherever you may live, as housing costs per square foot are much higher than storage costs.
How Self Storage Street Rates Compare from Coast to Coast: A State-by-State Price Breakdown
Zooming in on state-level price information New York is the most expensive for self storage, followed by Massachusetts and California. At the other end of the spectrum, Oklahoma, Indiana and Mississippi offer the most affordable self storage prices.
Find out how much self storage costs in every US state in the heatmap below.
Self Storage Street Rates by State
NB: Darker shades denote higher costs; gray denotes no data
Data source: StorageCafe analysis of Yardi Matrix data as of September, 2024
How Self Storage Costs Compare to Other Common Expenses
Self storage allows users to optimize the use of space at home while also being able to hold on to their possessions. Thus, self storage provides a valuable service, one that has a big impact on how comfortably people live at home. To put things into perspective, the national average for a 10'x10' storage unit stands at around $127 per month — which is about the same amount of money one would pay per month for a daily Venti Caffe Mocha from Starbucks.
Self storage helps renters enjoy a neat and uncluttered interior — or rent a smaller apartment and make up for the loss of space by using a storage unit. This can be a smart move financially, as the national average price for a square foot of self storage space hovers around $1.42 — while, in the case of apartments, the average cost for a square foot of space is closer to $1.93.
When looking at self storage costs vs. parking costs in big urban hotspots across the nation, the advantages that people who don't use their vehicles on daily basis get by renting self storage are obvious. The national average cost of a parking spot is around $150 monthly, while renting a car storage unit hovers at $162. Not only are vehicle costs reasonable, but vehicles are also better protected in a storage unit. On top of that, there's extra space available for storing other belongings as well.
Frequently Asked Questions About Self Storage Prices
How much does storage cost?
Self storage costs can vary substantially depending on location. The national average rate for a 10’x10’ self storage unit stands at $121 per month. However, factors such as self storage inventory and local demand influence costs across different cities, so the rate users end up paying can be significantly lower, or higher, compared to the national average.
How much is a small storage unit?
Small storage units, such as the 5’x5’ and the 5’x10’ sizes, are, naturally, the least expensive ones. These storage units are suitable for customers who need to store just a few items. The national average price for small self storage units is around $54 per month.
How much does a 5’x5’ storage unit cost?
Prices for 5’x5’ self storage units hover around $54 nationally, with the most expensive ones found in San Francisco, at $116 per month, while the least expensive is in Oklahoma City, where the monthly rate stands at $31 per month.
How much does a 5’x10’ storage unit cost?
Renting a Prices for 5’x10’ storage unit costs about $76 per month at a national level. The most affordable major city for 5’x10’ self storage units is Memphis, where such a unit stands at $45. On the other hand, residents of San Francisco will have to pay significantly more for the same type of unit: around $170.
How much is a climate-controlled storage unit?
Climate-controlled storage units ensure constant temperature and humidity inside the storage unit, regardless of the weather outside, thus providing the best environment for storing delicate belongings including antiques, electronics, artwork and collectibles. The costs of renting a climate-controlled self storage unit are generally higher compared to a regular unit, with the average street rate for a 10’x10’ climate-controlled unit being $135 per month, compared to $121 for the non-climate-controlled version.
How much is an RV storage unit?
RVing is an increasingly popular pastime for Americans, offering a great opportunity to vacation leisurely and comfortably around the country. However, while not in use, RVs need to be stored somewhere, and self storage is very convenient for this. Renting an RV storage unit costs around $171 per month.