Are you in the midst of an office move, a remodel, or simply looking to clear some extra space in your home? Whether you’re wondering how to store clothes or what the best way to store a mattress is, a self-storage unit is a perfect place to keep your stuff. 

However, you might be wondering, “How much does a storage unit cost?” 

Well, self storage doesn’t cost as much as you think.

Factors Affecting Storage Unit Prices

If you are wondering “how expensive are storage units?” keep in mind that the price will depend on several factors, including:

• Storage unit size
• Vehicle Parking
• Location of Storage Facility
• Length of rental

Unit Size 

When it comes to self storage prices or costs, the size of the unit is the most important pricing element. 

To begin, you’ll need to determine how much storage space you’ll need and how much stuff you have to put away. Do you need it for personal storage or business storage? Your storage needs will determine what size unit you will need. 

There are a variety of storage unit sizes, including but not limited to:

• 5×5 storage unit* – This is approximately the size of a large walk-in closet. It’s perfect for storing boxes of clothing, seasonal decorations, or extra items. 
• 5×10 storage unit* – This type of unit is about the size of a small room. It’s the ideal size if you’re remodeling a room or you’re moving between apartments and need a place to keep your bed, bedframe, and personal items.
• 10×10 storage unit* – This storage unit size is considered a medium-sized unit. It’s suited for storing furniture, especially couches and beds, and is commonly rented by people who are moving from a small apartment or home.   
• 10×15 storage unit* – A large unit at this size is capable of holding the contents of an entire apartment or medium-sized home, including furniture.
• 10×20 storage unit*– This extra-large unit is approximately the same size as most garages and is large enough for an entire home’s worth of items, along with outdoor patio furniture. 

Vehicle Parking  

Need a place to keep a boat or vehicle? If so, there are storage units that are specifically built to park your car, truck, RV, or boat. Similar to regular storage units, the cost for each space is mostly tied to the size of the specific unit, which may include:

• 10’x25’
• 10’x26‘ 
• 10’x30’
• 10’x35’

Additionally, the cost of these spaces will likely increase depending on whether or not the vehicle is stored indoors or outdoors. Typically, outdoor vehicle storage is cheaper than indoor.

Location of Storage Facility

Like housing, location can have an impact on storage unit prices. Locations with the most convenience (off freeway entrances, next to major roads, shopping centers, etc) tend to be higher in price, but offer more advantages when needing to get your items. So, if you’re moving from a big city and need to store your stuff for a longer period, you can save money by finding a self-storage facility a bit further away.

Time of Rental

Although it depends on the self-storage company, storage unit costs often vary with the season. For example, if you rent in the summer, storage rates may be higher than in other seasons, where the demand is lower. 

Rental Insurance/Protection Plan

Many storage providers require that you have some sort of protection plan for your items before you drop them off. So, when you are estimating the cost of a storage unit, it’s important that you factor in the monthly price of a rental insurance or protection plan, which generally ranges from $2-$25 per month.  

At Price Self Storage, we offer a protection plan for your items that covers up to $5,000 worth of damages.

Types of Storage Units

Once you know the size of the storage unit you need, you still have a variety of options when it comes to the type of storage you rent. Choosing storage units with special features or desirable locations in the facility can have a big impact on your self storage costs. 

Storage Units with Special Features   

Some storage units have additional features that come with a higher cost. These might include:

• Standard storage unit: A standard storage unit is the most common type of unit you’ll find at most storage facilities. These basic units offer secure, closed spaces where you can store your items, like furniture, seasonal decorations, business inventory, and more. Standard storage units are not climate-controlled and don’t include outlets or electric hookups.  
• Climate control – Do you have items that need to be kept at a specific temperature? Select units at storage locations have climate-controlled storage options and are built for temperature-sensitive items. However, keep in mind that a climate-controlled storage unit will likely cost more money compared to a standard unit. 
• Wine storage – Some storage units are built purposefully with wine collectors in mind. Or perhaps, you’re a restaurateur who needs wine inventory storage. These climate-controlled units will ensure that your reds and whites will be kept perfectly all year round. 

Storage Unit Location

The location of your storage unit within a facility can have a big impact on your overall storage facility costs. Just keep in mind that price isn’t everything. You always want to balance cost with convenience and accessibility, especially if you have a lot of items to move and/or expect to visit your unit regularly. 

• Elevator Access Units: Upper-level storage units are often the most affordable units available. You’ll need to bring your items into the facility and use an elevator or staircase to get to your unit on an upper floor. This type of unit works well if you only have a small number of things to store or if you plan on storing items for a long time and don’t anticipate visiting your unit often. They can be a great choice if you want to save as much as possible on storage locker costs.
• First-Floor Units: These units can provide easy access without the need to use stairs or elevators. They’re a good choice if you need to store heavier items and plan to visit your unit regularly, but don’t want to pay top dollar for drive-up access. To save on furniture storage prices, a first-floor unit could be the right compromise.  
• Drive-up Access: The most convenient units (and most expensive) allow you to pull up and park directly outside of your storage space. These units usually feature roll-up doors, making loading and unloading them incredibly convenient. Drive-up units are perfect for storing bulky furniture and appliances, or for entrepreneurs who often have to pick up and drop off heavy items. Just know that you’ll pay extra for these units. 
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Storage Unit Cost Saving Tips

Renting a storage unit can bring a lot of positives to your life, like finally allowing you to unclutter your home, downsize, or get through that big remodel. However, it still represents a monthly cost. Anything you can do to reduce self-storage costs is a win. By making smart choices, you can make sure your rental fits comfortably in your budget. 

• Optimize your storage space: By packing your storage unit strategically, you can get the most out of the available space and avoid having to pay for a larger unit. Add shelving units, stack smaller boxes on top of larger ones, and disassemble larger items before storage.

• Compare locations: Always take the time to compare different storage facilities and even different locations of the same brand. Location plays a big role in pricing, and if you can save money by driving a little further to a lower-cost area, that might be worth it, especially if you won’t need to visit your unit often.

• Check for special promotions: During slower times of the year, facilities may offer half off your first month’s rent or even first month free. It never hurts to check for these promotions before signing your rental contract. 

• Pack smart: Pack every box and container intentionally. You want to minimize empty space in your boxes while making sure they aren’t too heavy. Good packing will lead to fewer boxes, which could allow you to rent a smaller (i.e., less expensive) unit. 

Price Self Storage – Convenient Storage at Affordable Prices  

Whether you need a storage solution for personal or professional reasons, Price Self Storage has more than a dozen convenient self-storage facility locations in California with a range of unit sizes and features—all at competitive prices. 

Price Self Storage was built to make storage simple, accommodating all of your storage needs at affordable prices.

Wondering how much a Price Self Storage unit near you costs? Find a storage facility near you and see all of the available units, including their rates.  

For more self-storage information, check out our top storage tips and tricks! Find the best storage units in La Jolla, Santee, Murphy Canyon, or check out all of our self storage units in the San Diego area today!

Storage Unit Cost FAQs

When considering renting a storage unit, self-storage costs can be a big factor in your calculations. Take a look below at some of our most common questions about storage facility costs.

What factors affect the cost of a storage unit?

The biggest factor that affects self-storage costs is the size of the unit you rent. The larger the unit, the higher the cost in most cases. You’ll also pay more for drive-up units vs. first-floor units, while units with elevator access can typically save you the most. 

The location of your chosen storage facility will also impact your storage unit cost. Facilities in more expensive areas will typically pass those costs onto customers. Finally, expect to pay more for special features, like climate-controlled storage units. 

How do I choose the right size storage unit?

To choose the right-sized storage unit, take a detailed inventory of all the items you plan to store. This should give you a good idea of the amount of storage space you need. Are you planning on continuing to add items to your unit? If so, it might be worth renting a larger unit now so you don’t have to upgrade and move everything in the future. Finally, will you be moving items into and out of your unit regularly? If the answer is yes, it might be worth getting a larger unit that will allow you to create aisles so you can move easily through the unit.

Take a look at our handy storage size guide to get a better idea of how much space each unit size offers. 

Are there any hidden fees associated with storage units?

It’s always a good idea to thoroughly review your storage contract so that you fully understand all the self-storage costs involved before you sign on the dotted line. Some facilities require a deposit or will require you to rent your unit for a minimum period of time.

Price Self Storage does not require a deposit and only offers month-to-month leasing. Like almost all storage facilities, we do require you to have insurance or a protection plan for your stored items. 

How much should you spend on storage?

Every person’s storage needs and budget are different, so there is no singular answer to how much you should spend on storage. It’s always a good idea to research storage facility costs before you move forward with the rental unit. Make sure the storage unit cost doesn’t strain your budget. Consider whether you could still afford the rent if you were hit with unexpected costs, like a big car repair.

Do you offer discounts for long-term rentals?

If you’re planning to rent your items long term, you can always call your nearest Price Self Storage to discuss rates on our available units. We often offer online pricing deals if you rent your unit online. Our concierge service can also help you with your storage rental needs at no charge.