How much does a storage unit cost?
A US storage unit typically costs between $40 and $440 per month depending on size, with a 10x10 — the most common size — running about $90 to $180. Climate control adds 20 to 40%. Location moves the price more than any other factor: metro markets run well above these ranges and rural markets below them.
- $40–$440 / month
- +20–40% climate control
- Reviewed August 2026
Storage unit cost by size
| Unit size | Floor area | Standard | Climate-controlled | Per sq ft |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5×5 | 25 sq ft | $40–$75 | $55–$95 | $2.30 |
| 5×10 | 50 sq ft | $55–$110 | $70–$140 | $1.65 |
| 5×15 | 75 sq ft | $75–$140 | $95–$175 | $1.43 |
| 10×10 | 100 sq ft | $90–$180 | $115–$230 | $1.35 |
| 10×15 | 150 sq ft | $125–$240 | $155–$300 | $1.22 |
| 10×20 | 200 sq ft | $160–$310 | $195–$380 | $1.18 |
| 10×25 | 250 sq ft | $195–$370 | $235–$450 | $1.13 |
| 10×30 | 300 sq ft | $225–$440 | $270–$530 | $1.11 |
National reference ranges aggregated from published list prices across major US self-storage operators. Standard drive-up or interior units, month-to-month, before promotions, taxes and fees.
The per-square-foot column shows why sizing up is cheaper than it looks: storage pricing is not linear. Full breakdown on cost by size.
What drives storage prices
| Factor | Effect | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Climate control | +20% to +40% | Heating, cooling and humidity control run year-round, and these units are usually interior. |
| Ground floor or drive-up | +10% to +25% | Convenience is priced. Upper floors with elevator access are the cheapest square footage in any facility. |
| Metro versus rural | −40% to +90% | Land cost dominates. The same 10x10 can differ threefold between a coastal city and a small town an hour away. |
| Season | +10% to +25% in summer | May to September is peak moving season. January and February are the cheapest months to start a rental. |
| Promotional first month | −50% to −100% of month one | Nearly universal, and nearly always followed by the full street rate from month two. |
| Annual rate increases | +8% to +15% per year | Existing-customer increases are standard practice. A rate quoted today is not the rate in month thirteen. |
| 24-hour access | +$10 to $25 per month | Often an add-on rather than a default. |
Cost guides
- Average storage unit cost What the typical US renter pays, and why an average is a weak guide. Read →
- Cost by size Full price curve with cost per square foot and per cubic foot. Read →
- Climate-controlled cost What the premium buys and when it is genuinely worth paying. Read →
- Hidden fees What gets added between the advertised rate and the first invoice. Read →
- Storage insurance Whether your existing policy already covers it. Read →
- Short-term vs long-term Why the rate you are quoted is the least reliable number in the decision. Read →
Estimate your total
Why we publish ranges, not prices
Self-storage is priced like airline seats: by occupancy, weekly, per facility. A ZIP-code price published today is wrong within a month, and precision that is wrong is worse than an honest range.
National reference ranges aggregated from published list prices across major US self-storage operators. Standard drive-up or interior units, month-to-month, before promotions, taxes and fees. We review these ranges twice a year and date every page. Full assumptions on the methodology page.
Related questions
How much is a storage unit per month?
Between about $40 and $440 per month in the US depending on size. A 5x5 runs $40–$75, a 10x10 $90–$180, and a 10x20 $160–$310, before climate control and fees.
What is the cheapest way to rent storage?
Take an upper-floor unit rather than drive-up, start the rental between October and March, skip climate control if your contents genuinely do not need it, and check whether your renter or homeowner policy already covers off-site storage before buying the facility plan.
Why did my storage rent go up?
Existing-customer increases of 8–15% within the first year are standard practice across US operators. The introductory rate is a customer-acquisition price, not the ongoing one. Calling to ask for the previous rate to be held works more often than people expect.
Is storage insurance required?
Proof of coverage usually is. Buying the facility's own plan usually is not — many homeowner and renter policies already cover belongings stored off-site at around 10% of your personal property limit. More on storage insurance.