The self-storage unit cost by size in 2026 spans roughly $35 per month for a small 5x5 up to $375 per month for a large 10x30, with the popular 10x10 unit landing around $105 to $135 per month. Storage pricing is driven first by the unit's square footage, then by climate control, location, and floor level. This guide lays out self-storage unit cost by size with a complete price table, explains what each size holds, shows when climate control is worth the premium, and includes a working calculator that estimates your monthly storage cost by size and features.
The figures here reflect 2026 self-storage pricing data from SpareFoot, Public Storage, Extra Space Storage, and regional per-square-foot surveys.
2026 national-average monthly self-storage unit cost by size, standard (non-climate) units. Climate-controlled units cost roughly 20 to 50 percent more.
| Unit Size | Square Feet | Standard Monthly | Climate Monthly | Holds Roughly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5x5 | 25 sq ft | $35 – $55 | $45 – $75 | Closet / dorm of boxes |
| 5x10 | 50 sq ft | $55 – $85 | $70 – $115 | Studio / 1-bedroom |
| 10x10 | 100 sq ft | $105 – $135 | $130 – $190 | 1-2 bedroom apartment |
| 10x15 | 150 sq ft | $135 – $200 | $170 – $270 | 2-3 bedroom home |
| 10x20 | 200 sq ft | $160 – $250 | $200 – $330 | 3-4 bedroom home / 1 car |
| 10x30 | 300 sq ft | $225 – $375 | $290 – $500 | 4-5 bedroom house |
Estimate your monthly cost. Pick a unit size, climate option, and how many months you need.
Example output: a 10x10 ($120 base), no climate, 6 months, $12/mo insurance = ($120 + $12) × 6 = $792 total, or $132/month. Add climate control and it rises to about $150/month.
Climate control keeps a unit within a moderate temperature and humidity band year-round, adding roughly 20 to 50 percent to the self-storage unit cost by size. It is worth it for wood furniture, electronics, photos, documents, artwork, instruments, leather, and anything stored more than a few months in a climate with hot summers or freezing winters. For sturdy plastic-bin goods, tools, or short-term storage, a standard unit saves money.
| Size | Standard | Climate | Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5x10 | $55 – $85 | $70 – $115 | +$15 – $30 |
| 10x10 | $105 – $135 | $130 – $190 | +$25 – $55 |
| 10x20 | $160 – $250 | $200 – $330 | +$40 – $80 |
Self-storage unit cost by size swings substantially by metro. A 10x10 that runs $105 in a smaller Midwest or Southeast market can exceed $200 to $250 in New York City, San Francisco, or Boston. Dense urban facilities with elevator-only access price higher than suburban drive-up facilities. If you can store 15 to 30 minutes outside the city core, you often save 20 to 40 percent on the same size.
Where you rent moves the self-storage unit cost by size more than almost any other factor besides size itself. The same 10x10 unit can vary 2x or more between markets.
| Market Type | 10x10 Monthly | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Major coastal metro | $180 – $260 | NYC, SF, Boston |
| Large inland city | $120 – $170 | Denver, Dallas, Atlanta |
| Mid-size / suburban | $95 – $135 | Most of the US |
| Small town / rural | $60 – $100 | Lower-density areas |
Most facilities lead with a promotion rather than a long-term discount: a common offer is "$1 for the first month" or "50 percent off the first two to three months." These are real savings for short-term moving storage, but read the fine print — the rate reverts to the standard price after the promo, and many facilities raise the standard rate periodically. For a stay under two months, chasing the best promotion can meaningfully lower your total storage cost.
A drive-up unit lets you pull a vehicle right up to the door, which is convenient for furniture and frequent access and usually costs a bit more. Indoor and upper-floor units, reached by a hallway or elevator, are typically cheaper for the same square footage. If you rarely need access during a move, an upper-floor indoor unit can shave 10 to 25 percent off the drive-up price for the same size.
For moving storage, a portable container (delivered to your driveway, then stored at the company's yard or kept on-site) competes with a traditional self-storage unit. Containers cost more per month (often $150 to $300) but save you from hauling everything to a facility twice, since the company can transport the loaded container to your new home. For pure storage with no moving component, a self-storage unit is usually the cheaper choice.
Most moving-related storage is short term — a few weeks to a few months between selling one home and closing on another, or while a long-distance shipment waits. For stints under a month, ask about prorated daily rates; for one to three months, the introductory promo usually applies; beyond six months, factor in a likely rate increase and reassess whether a portable container or full-service storage-in-transit is cheaper.
Self-storage unit cost by size in 2026 averages: a 5x5 unit $35 to $55 per month, a 5x10 unit $55 to $85, a 10x10 unit $105 to $135, a 10x15 unit $135 to $200, a 10x20 unit $160 to $250, and a 10x30 unit $225 to $375. Climate-controlled units cost roughly 20 to 50 percent more, and prices run higher in major metros and lower in rural areas.
A 10x10 storage unit costs about $105 to $135 per month in 2026 for a standard non-climate unit, and roughly $130 to $190 per month with climate control. A 10x10 (100 square feet) holds the contents of a one to two bedroom apartment, including furniture and boxes. Prices vary by city: expect the high end in coastal metros and the low end in smaller markets.
A 5x5 holds a closet or a dorm room of boxes; a 5x10 holds a studio or one-bedroom apartment's worth of furniture; a 10x10 holds a one to two bedroom apartment; a 10x15 holds a two to three bedroom home; a 10x20 holds a three to four bedroom house or a car; and a 10x30 holds a large four to five bedroom house. When in doubt, size up one tier, because cramming a unit makes access difficult and risks damage.
Climate-controlled storage is worth the extra 20 to 50 percent cost when you are storing items sensitive to heat, humidity, and freezing: wood furniture, electronics, photos, documents, artwork, musical instruments, leather, and anything stored for more than a few months in a region with temperature swings. For sturdy items like garden tools, car parts, or plastic-bin goods stored short-term, a standard non-climate unit is fine and cheaper.
Storage unit cost rises with size, climate control, location (major metros and dense urban areas cost more), ground-floor and drive-up access versus an upper-floor unit, and added services like 24-hour access or enhanced security. Required insurance or a protection plan ($8 to $25 per month), an administration fee at move-in ($15 to $30), and a lock purchase also add to the first-month total. Prices typically rise after an introductory promotional rate.
Storing the contents of a 3-bedroom house typically requires a 10x15 to 10x20 unit, which costs about $135 to $250 per month in 2026, or $175 to $325 with climate control. A 10x20 (200 square feet) is roughly the size of a one-car garage and fits the furniture, appliances, and boxes from a three to four bedroom home. If you have a packed garage and basement too, a 10x30 may be necessary.
Many self-storage facilities offer a promotional first-month rate, such as $1 for the first month or 50 percent off the first few months, rather than a discount for paying several months up front. Some offer a small discount for prepaying a full year. The biggest savings come from booking online, choosing a non-climate or upper-floor unit, and selecting a facility slightly outside the densest part of a city where rates are lower.