Are Storage Units Worth It?

Pros and cons of storage units

Storage units can be enormously helpful in many cases, serving as a prudent investment to protect your more valuable assets. But on the other hand, they can be a waste of money if you don’t use your unit strategically.

Benefits of storage units

There are many potential benefits to renting a storage unit, depending on your needs and how you use it.

• Homeowners and renters: Storage units can help when you are moving to a new home, decluttering your space or clearing seasonal storage, such as patio equipment or holiday decorations. They can also provide space for temporary needs, such as when you need to clear the house for home repairs or remodeling, or when you are waiting to close on a new home.
• Businesses: With all their inventory and supplies, businesses can often benefit from additional storage space. Storage units can be especially helpful for seasonal items, marketing and promotional materials, and old documents and files. Storage can also provide extra peace of mind and security, with company assets locked, monitored and climate-controlled for safekeeping.
• Military members: Active-duty service members are frequently reassigned or deployed to locations around the country and around the world. Storage units can be a great asset for these military moves, allowing service members to safely secure their belongings until they return.
• College students: College dorms are infamous for their lack of space, so a storage unit can provide valuable room for overflow or seasonal belongings. Some students store their belongings over summer break instead of having to move their things back and forth to their parents’ homes between semesters. Storage units can also be enormously helpful for students who need to store their things while they are studying abroad or away for internships.

Storage units can also be helpful during major life transitions such as divorce or relocation. When a family member passes away, storage can offer a place for estate items to sit securely while awaiting probate.

Self-storage facilities provide a safe place to store valuables and protect furniture and documents from mold and high humidity. In addition to climate control, many units incorporate upgraded features such as gated facilities, video monitoring, keycard access and security staff.

Drawbacks of storage units

While helpful for a number of circumstances, storage units also have some potential disadvantages.

• Labor: One drawback of renting a storage unit is the physical labor involved. Whether you transport items to the unit yourself or you hire movers, you’ll need to determine how to get your belongings back and forth.
• Transportation: Depending on how many things you have, you may need to rent a van or truck to transport them to the storage facility.
• Extended contract: Some people who rent a storage unit may forget about it after a period of time, with an “out of sight, out of mind” mentality taking root. It’s also possible for homeowners or businesses to store items they may no longer need, costing them money in monthly storage rental fees when the item is better off being disposed of.

Storage unit costs and hidden fees

You should evaluate the cost of a storage unit if you think renting one may be a good fit for your needs.

The average cost of a storage unit per square foot is $16.32, as of January 2026. But the actual cost of a storage unit can vary significantly depending on several factors, including:

• Size
• Type
• Location
• Climate control
• Length of lease
• Seasonal demand
• Security features
• Extra services (pickup/delivery, packing supplies, etc.)

With these factors in mind, the tables below list average storage unit costs by type, size and location.

Type of storage

Prices vary considerably, depending on the type of storage unit you need.

Average storage cost by type

Size

Another determining factor is the size of the unit and whether it is climate-controlled.

Average monthly storage unit cost

Location

A third major factor affecting the price of a storage unit is its location, as monthly costs vary significantly by city and state. Extra Space Storage provides examples of starting costs for various cities around the country.

Extra Space Storage starting prices by city

Hidden fees

There may be additional costs involved in renting your storage unit. For example, a unit on the ground floor or one that is near the exit may cost more than some other units in the same facility. Some storage unit companies also assess other fees, such as a storage unit setup fee, monthly insurance fee and lock purchase.

Also, keep in mind that the price you pay today may not be the price you pay in the future. Costs often increase over time, but specifics will be outlined in your rental contract.

Before committing to a storage unit, you should review the contract carefully to ensure you are aware of any hidden costs that may impact your bottom line.

Storing vs. selling and rebuying

Storage costs can easily add up over time, putting a dent in your monthly budget.

To determine whether the cost of a storage unit is worth it for you, consider the value of the items you’re storing and their depreciation value. Weigh this against the monthly storage cost and the number of months you plan to use the storage unit.

Neighbor Storage provides a reference chart of average storage costs vs. the average value of commonly-stored items. Storage costs in this table are based on a 5-by-10-foot climate-controlled unit for 12 months.

Storage costs vs. average item value

Based on these numbers, storage costs would exceed the replacement value of a TV in five months and a queen mattress and box spring in just four.

Of course, the math alone doesn’t account for factors such as sentimental value and overall convenience. If you have your dad’s record collection or your grandmother’s armoire, you may consider these items irreplaceable and may justify the cost of storage, even if it’s for the long term.

Storage unit restrictions

While storage units can hold the majority of common household items, there are some things you cannot store in a storage unit, including anything illegal, dangerous or perishable.

For example, Extra Space Storage shares these items to show what it does and does not accept for its storage units. If you have any of these items, you will likely need to consider alternate arrangements.

Before renting a storage unit, review the contract and talk to a storage representative to ensure you are renting the right unit for your needs.

Choosing the right storage unit

If you determine that a storage unit is right for you, the next step is finding the best storage company to hold your things. It’s important to ensure that your chosen storage company has the right-sized unit for your needs, but first, you must determine what size you need.

Many storage companies provide a convenient online calculator, but this guide from Public Storage can help you get started.

Storage Unit Size Guide

When shopping for a storage company, keep these considerations in mind.

• Type: There are many different storage facility types available, from storage containers to traditional enclosed storage units, so make sure the unit type you need is available in your area.
• Accessibility: Some storage units allow you to access your things while they are in storage, but others do not. If you think you’ll need to access your things while they’re in storage, check facility hours and policies to ensure you can get to your belongings when you need them.
• Climate control: Not all storage units are climate-controlled, but the ones that are typically maintain temperatures between 55 and 80 degrees to protect more delicate items. If you live in a high-humidity or especially cold area, you may find humidity-controlled or heated storage nearby.
• Security: Ask what security protocols are in place to protect your belongings, such as gated entry, video monitoring and guard patrol.  
• Features: Check for special features such as online payment, autopay, and online booking and account management.
• Location: Check where facilities are located to ensure they are convenient and accessible to you.
• Cost: Compare costs among multiple storage companies to find the best deal for your needs. Some companies offer promotional discounts, but be sure to read the terms and conditions carefully to ensure you will not be hit with huge price hikes in the future.

Best storage companies

Compare features and pricing from the best self-storage companies, including these.

How to decide if a storage unit is worth it

Determining whether a storage unit is worth it for you can ultimately boil down to a few key considerations.

Think about the value of your items and whether you believe they are worth the expense, and try to set a timeline for your storage so you can select the right contract term. This will help you assess whether storage units are worth it for your specific needs. If the estimated cost of renting the unit is more than what you think your items are worth, renting a storage unit might not be the best course of action for you.

If you determine that a storage unit is right for you, you’ll need to decide what size unit is appropriate for your things. Also consider what features are important to you, such as location, access and security, so you can find the right storage company to safely and securely store your belongings.