Moving and Storage Costs: What to Budget
Reviewed by Joey Padgett · Last reviewed September 2026
A standard 10x10 storage unit costs $75 to $175 per month, depending on location and whether you need climate control. Portable storage containers (PODS and similar) run $150 to $300 per month for storage, plus delivery and pickup fees. If you're between homes or your move-out and move-in dates don't line up, here's how to think through storage costs.
Storage Unit Costs by Size
| Unit Size | Best For | Typical Monthly Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 5x5 (25 sq ft) | A few boxes, seasonal items | $25 to $75 |
| 5x10 (50 sq ft) | Studio apartment contents | $50 to $120 |
| 10x10 (100 sq ft) | 1 to 2 bedroom contents | $75 to $175 |
| 10x15 (150 sq ft) | 2 to 3 bedroom contents | $100 to $225 |
| 10x20 (200 sq ft) | 3 to 4 bedroom contents | $125 to $275 |
| 10x30 (300 sq ft) | Large home or vehicle storage | $175 to $375 |
Source: SpareFoot, Extra Space Storage
Costs vary significantly by city. Urban storage (New York, San Francisco, Boston) tends to run two to three times higher than rural areas. If you're flexible on location, a unit just outside the city center is often meaningfully cheaper.
Climate Control: When You Need It
Climate-controlled units cost roughly 25 to 35% more per month than standard units. For most household items stored for a month or two during a move, standard storage is fine.
Climate control is worth the extra cost for:
- Electronics and computers
- Wooden furniture that might warp or crack in temperature extremes
- Antiques, art, photographs, and documents
- Musical instruments
- Wine (requires a facility designed for it)
- Anything stored over 3 months, particularly through summer or winter
If you're storing over summer in Phoenix or winter in Minnesota, climate control is not optional for anything sensitive.
Portable Storage Container Costs
Portable containers (PODS, U-Pack ReloCube, 1-800-PACK-RAT, Zippy Shell) sit in your driveway while you load them at your own pace, then get transported and stored at the company's facility.
What Portable Containers Typically Cost
| Cost Component | Typical Range |
|---|---|
| Delivery to your home | $75 to $150 |
| Monthly storage at facility | $150 to $300 |
| Transport (local, under 50 miles) | $300 to $700 |
| Transport (long-distance) | $1,000 to $4,500+ depending on distance |
| Pickup after move | $75 to $150 |
Source: Moving.org, Forbes Home
The portable container model works well when you need flexibility on loading time or when your move-in date is uncertain. You load on your schedule, and the company handles transport when you're ready.
For a straight local move with no gap between homes, a portable container is usually more expensive than renting a truck or hiring movers. The value shows up when you need storage time.
Moving Company Storage: Vaulting
Full-service moving companies offer what's called vaulting storage. Your belongings go into the truck on moving day, get unloaded into wooden vault boxes at the company's warehouse, and stay there until you're ready for delivery.
Typical cost: $50 to $100 per month, often with a minimum of one month. Some companies include 30 days free for long-distance moves where delivery timing is uncertain.
The advantage is that your items don't get loaded and unloaded multiple times. The disadvantage is that you can't easily access your belongings while they're vaulted.
When Storage Actually Makes Sense During a Move
Most moves don't need storage. You move out, you move in. But these situations often do:
Gap between lease end and new home availability. You have to be out May 31st, but your new place isn't available until June 15th. That two-week gap is the most common reason people need storage.
Buy-sell overlap with uncertain timing. If you're buying and selling simultaneously, closing dates can shift. Having storage capacity means your stuff doesn't become a negotiating problem.
Moving to a smaller space. If you're downsizing significantly and haven't decided what to keep, storage gives you time to sort without pressure. Plan a date to make final decisions. Open-ended storage for things you're not sure about tends to become expensive long-term.
Long-distance move with flexible delivery. Some people ship their belongings in advance of the move and need short-term storage at the destination before their new home is ready.
Free and Low-Cost Storage Options
Before renting a unit, consider whether any of these work:
Ask family or friends. A garage or basement for 30 to 60 days is a real option if you have someone willing.
Use what you're renting. If you're between leases, some landlords allow a week or two of overlap storage access after your move-out date. Worth asking.
Sell or donate instead of store. Items you're storing "just in case" often become items you pay to store for years. A storage unit for non-essential things that you're not sure you want costs $100 or more per month. If the items are worth less than six months of storage fees, reconsider.
Comparing Storage Options for Your Move
| Option | Best When | Monthly Cost | Flexibility |
|---|---|---|---|
| Self-storage unit | You can load/unload yourself | $75 to $275 | High |
| Portable container | You want doorstep convenience | $150 to $300 | High |
| Moving company vault | Part of a full-service move | $50 to $100 | Low |
| PODS long-distance storage | Long-distance with timing gap | $150 to $300 + transport | Medium |
If storage is part of a longer-distance move and you're comparing total costs, see Cheapest Way to Move for a full breakdown.