For a standard storage unit, renters pay an average of $137 a month. But a unit’s size, its location, and features like temperature and humidity control all swing the bill. This guide breaks down storage unit costs in 2026 to show you how to pay less.
How Much Does a Storage Unit Cost on Average?
A standard 10×10 unit, the most popular size, averages $120 a month across the country. But national averages only tell us so much.
In Arkansas, storage units cost $73 a month on average, while this figure jumps to $174 in California. Prices rise in dense areas, including college towns and areas near military bases. So even a 15-minute drive outside the city can knock down the price.
Storage Unit Prices by Size
The bigger the unit, the bigger the bill. Here’s what the average rates look like for the most common sizes.
| Size | Standard monthly average | Climate-control (+ per month) | What fits |
| 5×5 | $53 | +$15–$30 | A walk-in closet’s worth. Boxes, a few smaller bits of furniture, and seasonal gear. |
| 5×10 | $75 | +$20–$45 | Think studio apartment: a bed, dresser, and boxes. |
| 10×10 | $120 | +$30–$75 | A one-bedroom apartment, or two bedrooms if you pack tight. |
| 10×15 | $158 | +$35–$95 | A two- or three-bedroom apartment. |
| 10×20 | $194 | +$45–$120 | A three- to four-bedroom home. |
| 10×30 | $258 | +$60–$150 | A five-bedroom home. |
These are average prices for units at traditional storage facilities. On Neighbor, renters save up to 50% because they’re comparing traditional units with garages, basements, and sheds rented out nearby.
Average Storage Cost by State
Storage prices follow real estate prices. Hawaii and California sit at the top, while Oklahoma and West Virginia have the lowest prices in the country.
Here’s the average cost of a storage unit at a facility in each state, across all sizes:
| State | Average monthly price |
| Alabama | $82 |
| Alaska | $119 |
| Arizona | $108 |
| Arkansas | $73 |
| California | $174 |
| Colorado | $112 |
| Connecticut | $146 |
| Delaware | $118 |
| Florida | $126 |
| Georgia | $97 |
| Hawaii | $253 |
| Idaho | $92 |
| Illinois | $107 |
| Indiana | $79 |
| Iowa | $77 |
| Kansas | $81 |
| Kentucky | $80 |
| Louisiana | $85 |
| Maine | $105 |
| Maryland | $138 |
| Massachusetts | $168 |
| Michigan | $89 |
| Minnesota | $99 |
| Mississippi | $74 |
| Missouri | $83 |
| Montana | $94 |
| Nebraska | $86 |
| Nevada | $116 |
| New Hampshire | $121 |
| New Jersey | $155 |
| New Mexico | $88 |
| New York | $167 |
| North Carolina | $93 |
| North Dakota | $78 |
| Ohio | $87 |
| Oklahoma | $62 |
| Oregon | $131 |
| Pennsylvania | $109 |
| Rhode Island | $142 |
| South Carolina | $90 |
| South Dakota | $76 |
| Tennessee | $84 |
| Texas | $95 |
| Utah | $103 |
| Vermont | $115 |
| Virginia | $111 |
| Washington | $143 |
| West Virginia | $71 |
| Wisconsin | $91 |
| Wyoming | $84 |
Monthly Storage Unit Costs by U.S. City
Here are the averages for common unit sizes in a few major markets:
| City | 5×5 | 5×10 | 10×10 | 10×20 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $79 | $136 | $219 | $381 |
| Chicago, IL | $42 | $75 | $128 | $248 |
| Orlando, FL | $37 | $58 | $101 | $203 |
| Las Vegas, NV | $30 | $60 | $88 | $191 |
| Houston, TX | $30 | $46 | $80 | $130 |
How Much Does Vehicle Storage Cost?
These costs depend on the type of vehicle, its location, and how much protection you need from the weather:
- Uncovered outdoor parking: $17–$100 a month. Better for shorter stays or vehicles you drive regularly.
- Covered parking: $50–$200 a month. Carport-style units, with a roof but no walls, protect against sun and rain without the price of full enclosure.
- Indoor storage: $150–$270 a month. You’re likely to need it for long-term parking or high-value vehicles.
These figures are for storage and parking facilities, but renters on Neighbor find vehicle storage for well below the national averages. We’re the world’s largest boat storage provider and truck parking marketplace, and we’ve got the country’s largest selection of RV pads, driveways, yards, and facilities.
What Changes The Price
Beyond location and size, let’s look at other factors that shift the price of storage units.
Facility Type
Moving and storage come in many forms. Full-service or managed storage is at the expensive end.
Movers come to you, pick up your stuff, store it, and bring it back when you need it. Maybe they pack your boxes, or you load your stuff into a pod that gets shipped to your new home. But the cost of convenience adds up fast. You pay extra for the labor, the transport, and the scheduled deliveries.
On Neighbor, you can book a garage or patch of land from someone in your area. The host is invested in keeping their space safe, and they don’t have to factor in a facility’s overhead. This usually means a lower price and easier access. But if a traditional unit makes more sense, we offer those, too.
Climate Control
Controlled temperature and humidity will raise the cost, but depending on what you’re storing, it can be the difference between coming back to pristine belongings or real damage.
Climate control may be the right call when you’re storing:
- Wood furniture or antiques
- Electronics or musical instruments that don’t like heat
- Documents, photos, or books that get mildew in humidity
- Artwork or collectibles
- Clothes or fabric items in the long term
Skip climate control for camping gear, tools, holiday decorations, or anything that can handle a Texas summer or Minnesota winter. And if you’re only storing for a month or two, you’re probably fine without it.
Seasonality
Most moves happen in the spring and summer, and storage prices follow the trend. If you can hold off until November or December, you’ll find better deals and more units available.
Lease Length
Most facilities are month-to-month, which is great if your plans aren’t set in stone. But a few facilities ask for a 3-month minimum. Long-term commitments sometimes come with a discount, but they also lock you in, so weigh the savings against the flexibility.
Fees and Promotions
“First month free” is a common promotion, but rates can skyrocket after the promo period ends. One investigation found storage operators discussing first-year rate hikes as high as 100%, and 30%–40% was common.
Some facilities also bill every 28 days, instead of every month. That’s 13 payments a year instead of 12.
You’ll also need to ask about administrative fees, sales tax, and a refundable security deposit before you sign.
How to Actually Save on Storage
Most articles tell you to declutter. That’s not wrong, but it’s not the main factor in your bill. The biggest savings come from where and when you search for storage:
- Drive 15 minutes farther: If you live in or near a city, the cost difference a few miles out can be more than you think.
- Rent in winter: If you can wait until then, it’s the cheapest stretch.
- Ask about price increases up front: Some facilities lock in the advertised rate for 1 year. Others raise it within months. Get the answer in writing before you sign.
- Skip climate control if you don’t need it: This saves at least 20%.
- Check what your insurance already covers: Renter and homeowner policies often have some coverage for off-premises belongings. You may not need the facility’s plan.
Find Storage That Costs Less
So, what does storage actually cost? Less than you think, if you know where to look.
Neighbor puts traditional self-storage units next to garages, driveways, and other self-storage spaces hosted right in your neighborhood. We list more than 10% of the U.S. self-storage market, and one search shows you everything available near you.
Each booking can come with up to $25K in renter property protection, and a 4.9-star rating across 689,000+ reviews tells us that renters are finding storage cheaper and closer to home on the marketplace.
Browse photos and reviews for every listing, or call us if you’d rather talk it through.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a storage unit cost per month?
The most popular size, a 10×10, costs around $120 a month on average. The smallest standard size, a 5×5, costs about $53 a month, and the largest, a 10×30, costs about $258. These are national averages, though, and they don’t factor in extras, like climate control. You’ll also pay more in big cities, and in states like Hawaii, California, and New York.
What’s the cheapest way to rent storage?
Peer-to-peer storage, where you rent a space (like an unused shed) from someone in your area, is often the cheapest option. On Neighbor, you can compare peer-to-peer and traditional storage units side by side, with photos and reviews for every listing.
Do storage prices go up after the first month?
Storage facilities usually raise their prices after the first month or the promo period ends. The difference is often 30%–40% or more. Ask whether the advertised price is locked in, and get it in writing before you sign a rental agreement.
What size storage unit do I need?
A 5×5 unit holds about a walk-in closet’s worth of items. A 10×10 holds a one-bedroom apartment. A 10×20 holds a three- to four-bedroom home. This size guide has plenty more detail.
