Compare storage unit prices
National average rents by size, labeled as estimates, and the point where a whole unit costs more than storing the boxes you actually have.
Storage unit prices move with city, climate control, and the month you move in. The useful baseline is a national average, then a check against your own ZIP. The figures below are SpareFoot marketplace averages as of May 2026. They are estimates, not a quote from a facility near you.
National average monthly rent by size
| Unit size | National average / month | What usually fits |
|---|---|---|
| 5×5 | About $35 | A closet of boxes, a few small items |
| 5×10 | About $51 | A studio’s worth of boxes, or the contents of one room without much furniture |
| 10×10 | About $80 | One to two rooms, including some furniture |
| 10×15 | About $109 | Two to three rooms |
| 10×20 | About $130 | Several rooms or a small apartment |
Source: SpareFoot national averages, May 2026. Climate-controlled units often run higher. Extra Space, a premium operator, publishes higher sticker rates than these marketplace averages.
What the monthly rent leaves out
- A truck or trailer for move-in and move-out
- Boxes and a lock
- Insurance, often an extra monthly charge
- Admin or late fees that differ by facility
- Empty space you still pay for if the unit is only partly full
The storage unit cost guide walks through those line items. Ten boxes stored with Endless are $29.90 a month at $2.99 per box, before a one-time collection quote — often under a 5×5’s national average, with no truck.
Unit rent is only part of the bill. For a per-box alternative with door pickup, see on-demand storage units with free pickup and delivery.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a storage unit cost in 2026?
SpareFoot’s national averages as of May 2026 are about $35 a month for a 5×5, $51 for a 5×10, $80 for a 10×10, $109 for a 10×15, and $130 for a 10×20. These are estimates. Local rents, especially in large coastal cities, can be much higher.
Is a storage unit cheaper than paying by the box?
A unit is often cheaper when you fill it with furniture or a large number of boxes. Paying by the box is often cheaper for a modest stack of boxes, because you are not renting empty floor. Add truck rental and insurance before you decide.