Many moves involve a gap between move-out and move-in dates, whether it is a week, a month, or longer. Understanding your storage options and their real costs helps you pick the right solution without overpaying. From traditional self-storage facilities to portable containers to storage-in-transit with your moving company, each option has different pricing structures, convenience levels, and trade-offs. Here is the complete picture for 2026.
Traditional self-storage facilities are the most widely available option. Monthly costs in 2026 by unit size are as follows. A 5x5 unit (25 square feet, fits a closet worth of items) costs $50 to $90 per month. A 5x10 unit (50 square feet, fits a one-bedroom apartment) costs $75 to $150. A 10x10 unit (100 square feet, fits a two-bedroom apartment) costs $100 to $200. A 10x15 unit (150 square feet, fits a three-bedroom house) costs $150 to $275. A 10x20 unit (200 square feet, fits a four-bedroom house) costs $175 to $300. A 10x30 unit (300 square feet, fits a large house with garage items) costs $200 to $400. Climate-controlled units cost 25 to 50 percent more but protect furniture, electronics, and documents from heat, humidity, and temperature swings. Prices vary significantly by metro area: storage in Manhattan or San Francisco costs 2 to 3 times more than in suburban or rural locations.
Portable storage containers like PODS, 1-800-PACK-RAT, and Zippy Shell offer a convenient alternative for movers. The company delivers a container to your home, you load it, and they store it at their facility or transport it to your new location. Monthly storage rates for portable containers run $100 to $250 depending on container size and market. A standard PODS container (16-foot) costs $150 to $200 per month for storage. The main advantage is that you load once and unload once, eliminating the double handling required with self-storage where you load your truck, unload at the facility, reload when you are ready to move, and unload again at your destination. The initial delivery and pickup fee is typically $75 to $150 each way. For moves where you need both storage and transportation, containers offer the best value since you pay one loading and one unloading rather than four trips.
Storage in transit (SIT) is a service offered by long-distance moving companies where your belongings stay on the moving truck or in the moving company's warehouse until you are ready for delivery. SIT typically includes the first 30 days free or at a reduced rate as part of your moving contract, with additional months costing $150 to $500 depending on shipment size. This option is convenient because your items are already loaded and insured under your moving contract. The downside is that you cannot access your belongings during the storage period, and extending beyond the initial period gets expensive quickly. SIT is ideal for short gaps of 2 to 4 weeks between homes, common when your new home purchase closes after your current lease ends. For longer storage needs exceeding 2 months, a self-storage facility or portable container is usually more cost-effective.
Storage costs involve more than just the monthly rental fee. Most self-storage facilities require a refundable security deposit of $20 to $50. Administrative fees of $15 to $30 are common at sign-up. Many facilities require you to purchase their insurance or provide proof of your own renter's or homeowner's insurance that covers stored property. Insurance through the storage facility costs $10 to $25 per month for $2,000 to $5,000 in coverage. Locks cost $10 to $20 if not included. If you are storing items for more than a month, consider the cost of a second trip to the facility when you retrieve your belongings: truck rental, fuel, and time all add up. For climate-controlled units, electricity surcharges may apply during extreme weather months. Always read the full lease agreement, paying attention to late payment policies, access hours, and automatic renewal terms.
Your ideal storage solution depends on duration, volume, and whether you also need transportation. For gaps of one to two weeks, storage in transit through your moving company is the simplest option, especially for long-distance moves. For one to three months of storage, portable containers offer the best balance of convenience and cost since you avoid double handling. For storage exceeding three months, a self-storage facility is typically the most economical choice. Location matters: choose a facility near your new home rather than your old one so retrieval is convenient. If you are storing temperature-sensitive items like electronics, wooden furniture, leather, or photographs, climate control is worth the premium. For purely utilitarian items like tools, holiday decorations, and plastic bins of clothing, a standard unit is fine. Use our moving cost calculator to factor storage costs into your total relocation budget and compare options for your specific timeline.
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Self-storage unit costs in 2026 range from $50 to $300 per month depending on size. A 10x10 unit that fits a two-bedroom apartment costs $100 to $200 per month. Climate-controlled units cost 25 to 50 percent more. Portable container storage runs $100 to $250 per month.
A 5x10 unit fits a one-bedroom apartment, a 10x10 unit fits a two-bedroom home, a 10x15 unit fits a three-bedroom house, and a 10x20 unit fits a four-bedroom house. If you are storing only part of your belongings, size down accordingly.
Monthly rates for portable containers ($100 to $250) are comparable to self-storage ($50 to $300). However, portable containers save money on truck rental and loading time since you load once and unload once, eliminating the double handling that self-storage requires.
Many long-distance moving companies include 30 days of storage in transit at no additional charge as part of your moving contract. After the initial period, monthly charges of $150 to $500 apply depending on shipment size. Always confirm the free storage terms in writing before signing.
Statistics and cost figures are based on industry averages and publicly available data, provided for informational purposes.
Data last reviewed: March 2026. Learn about our data
