Figuring out storage between house moves is something a lot of people leave until the last minute. This guide covers every option and how to avoid paying for a month you don’t actually need.
Why You Might Need Storage Between House Moves
If you’re here before you need storage, you’re probably in one of these situations:
- Your sale closed before your purchase did: This is common in competitive markets. You’ve handed over the keys to your old place, but your new home won’t be ready for another 2–6 weeks.
- Your new home needs work first: Even minor renovations are difficult to do around furniture and boxes.
- You’re in temporary housing: Maybe you’re staying with family or in a short-term rental while you get settled in a new city. Your stuff has arrived, but you can’t unpack it yet.
- Your new home is smaller than your last: A life change that involves downsizing usually means a lot of decisions about what to keep. If you don’t have time or capacity for it right now, storage is a good option.
- You’re waiting on a new build: A home that was supposed to be ready in April may not be ready until June, so your stuff needs somewhere to go in the meantime.
What Goes in Storage and What Stays With You
Before you start comparing storage units, figure out what you’re storing. This decision will shape how much space you need and what it’s going to cost you.
Most people put in storage:
- Furniture you don’t need in temporary housing
- Large appliances, unless you’re moving somewhere unfurnished
- Seasonal items, like holiday decorations and camping gear
- Books, art, extra linens, and keepsakes
- Anything you’re undecided about
- Bulky items that would crowd a temporary space
Most people keep with them:
- Clothing, shoes, and toiletries
- Important documents, like passports, insurance cards, and birth certificates
- Medications
- Heavily used electronics, like laptops and chargers
- Kids’ essentials
- Bedding and towels (if your temporary home isn’t furnished)
- Basic kitchen items
4 Storage Options Between House Moves
Here are the four approaches to storage between a sale and a move-in, plus what each one costs.
1. Self-storage units
Self-storage units come in different sizes, but rental is almost always month-to-month.
Here’s what that might cost you, based on national averages:
| Size | Best for | Standard | Climate-controlled |
| 5×10 | Studio or 1-bedroom | $75 | $84 |
| 10×10 | 1 or 2-bedroom apartment | $120 | $137 |
| 10×15 | 2 or 3-bedroom home | $158 | $182 |
| 10×20 | 3 or 4-bedroom home | $194 | $237 |
Location influences the price as much as size does: the same unit in Los Angeles will cost you more than it would in Louisville.
If you’re not sure which size fits your situation, this storage unit size guide breaks it down room by room.
The main trade-off with self-storage is that you move twice: once into the unit, and again into your new home. That means two rounds of truck rentals, and 2 days to block off on your calendar.
Best for: People storing for longer than a few months, especially if there’s a good amount to store.
2. Neighborhood storage spaces
Renting a neighbor’s spare garage, driveway, or shed works the same way as renting a room on Airbnb.
Because your host isn’t running a commercial facility, there’s no industrial overhead baked into the price. That’s why these neighborhood spaces can cost up to 50% less than a traditional storage unit of a similar size.
Neighbor lets you search for open units at nationwide facilities and neighborhood spaces all in one place. So, to see everything available near you and figure out the best deal, that’s where to start.
Look at the photos, read the listing description, and message the host with any questions before you request the booking. The host then has 24 hours to approve it.
Best for: Renters on a tighter budget and anyone who wants a space closer to home.
3. Portable storage containers
A portable container company sends a container to your current address. You load it, and they can pick it up, store it at their facility, and deliver it to your new home when you’re ready.
The main advantage is convenience. Everything stays in the container, so there’s no second moving day with extra logistics to arrange.
The trade-offs are cost and access. Portable containers cost more per month than similar self-storage units, and most companies charge separately for each delivery or pickup.
And if the container is at the company’s facility rather than your driveway, you won’t be able to get to your things during the gap.
Best for: Long-distance moves, people who need less transport, and anyone with a driveway where the container can sit during the move.
4. Moving company storage
Most full-service moving companies offer warehouse storage. They load your things, store them at their facility, and deliver it all to your new place on your schedule. Some companies include a short storage period in their base quote.
The cons are access and flexibility. Your belongings sit in a warehouse, and there’s no easy way to access them if your timeline shifts. Because you’re working around the company’s schedule, find out what happens if you need something urgently.
Best for: People already using a full-service mover, especially if they only need storage for a short time.
How to Choose the Right Option
The right option depends on how long you need storage, how much you’re storing, and whether you’ll want to access your belongings during the move. To narrow this down:
How long is the gap?
- A neighbor’s garage usually offers the best value, in terms of price and proximity. But as seasons change, a climate-controlled unit might be necessary to prevent damage, depending on what you’re storing.
- If your belongings are going from one address to another, and there’s only a short pause in between, moving company storage or portables may be more convenient.
How much are you storing?
- A studio or one-bedroom apartment probably fits in a 5×10 unit, while a three-bedroom house needs a 10×20 or larger.
- If you’re splitting up your belongings to make the move easier, booking a garage or basement is often cheaper than renting a full unit.
How often will you need access?
If there’s any chance you’ll need to retrieve something during the gap, like a microwave or winter coat, self-storage facilities and neighborhood rentals allow access. Portable containers and moving company warehouses typically don’t.
Do You Need Climate-Controlled Storage?
Climate-controlled units hold a steady temperature between 55–85°F and regulate humidity year-round. They might cost up to 50% more than standard units, but it’s worth it for items that are sensitive to heat, cold, and humidity.
Choose climate control if you’re storing:
- Wood furniture
- Electronics and musical instruments
- Artwork, photographs, or paper documents
- Leather or upholstered furniture
- Collectibles or antiques
Skip it for plastic furniture, metal tools, and anything built to handle outdoor conditions.
How to Protect Your Belongings in Storage
The right unit keeps your things dry and accessible. How well your belongings hold up depends on how you pack them.
- Disassemble furniture before you store it: Bed frames, tables, and bookshelves take up less space broken down. Keep screws and bolts in labeled bags taped directly to the piece they belong to.
- Wrap everything that can scratch or chip: Wrap furniture in moving blankets, use bubble wrap for electronics and other fragile items, and opt for a breathable, heavy-duty mattress bag if your bed is going into storage.
- Pack boxes by weight, not by room: Heavy items go in small boxes. Light, bulky items go in large ones. Label every box on the top and at least one side, so you’ll find things faster.
- Leave an aisle: Stack heavy items at the bottom, lighter items on top, and make room for a path through the unit.
- Keep an inventory on your phone: A running note of what’s in the unit and pictures of each labeled stack of boxes will save you from guessing and making unnecessary trips.
- Check your insurance before move-in: Homeowner’s and renter’s policies may not extend to what you store. Check your policy and make sure you’re covered before moving day.
A Note on Billing
Most storage options bill by the month, and almost none prorate. If you move out on the 20th after reserving on the 5th, you still pay for the full month. If your gap runs 5–6 weeks, you’re paying for 2 full months.
This applies to self-storage facilities, Neighbor listings, and most portable container companies.
So, a slightly more expensive option can end up costing less than a cheaper one that spills into a second month. Run the math before you commit.
Find Storage Between Moves on Neighbor
When you’re mid-move, the last thing you need is to be hunting across five different websites to find a clean, safe storage unit nearby.
On Neighbor, you’ll see open units at storage facilities and neighborhood spaces all in one place. You’ll find that a lot of those spaces are closer to you than the nearest facility, which matters when you need to grab something you forgot.
Every reservation comes with up to $25,000 in renter property protection, and Neighbor holds a 4.9-star rating across 689,000+ reviews. To start comparing reviews and photos, search online. If you’d rather talk through your options, you can always give us a call.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do most people need storage during a move?
Most people need storage for more than a couple of months during a move, due to misaligned closing dates, renovation delays, or the hassle of finding housing in a new city. Only 12% of storage renters store for less than 3 months.
What size storage unit do I need between moves?
A 10×10 unit holds the contents of a two-bedroom apartment and is the most commonly rented size. A 5×10 works for a studio or one-bedroom. A 10×20 or larger handles three to five bedrooms. This storage unit size guide can help you estimate.
Do I need climate-controlled storage?
For electronics, wood furniture, leather, artwork, or anything going into storage through a hot summer, climate control is worth the extra cost.
