Storage Unit Cost Comparison Calculator
Compare two self-storage units side by side on monthly rent, total cost over your rental period and cost per square foot.
How it works
Total = monthly rent × months · Cost per sq ft = monthly rent ÷ size
The cheapest sticker price is not always the best value: a smaller unit can win on total rent while a larger one wins on cost per square foot. If you actually need the extra space, per-square-foot cost tells you which unit is priced more fairly; if you are trying to fit into a budget, the total over your rental term is what leaves your account. Watch for introductory rates that jump after the first month or two, which this comparison assumes stay flat.
Worked example
Unit A is $120/mo for 50 sq ft; Unit B is $95/mo for 40 sq ft; you rent 6 months. Totals are $720 versus $570, so Unit B saves $150. But per square foot Unit A is $2.40/mo and Unit B is $2.38/mo — nearly identical value, so Unit A only makes sense if you need the extra 10 sq ft.
Frequently asked questions
Should I compare total cost or cost per square foot?
Use total cost if you are choosing the smallest unit that fits your things and want to know what leaves your budget. Use cost per square foot when both units could work and you want the one that is priced most fairly for the space it gives you.
Do storage prices really stay flat?
Often they do not. Many facilities advertise a low first-month or promotional rate, then raise it after a few months or at renewal. Ask what the rate becomes after any promotion and re-run the comparison with the ongoing rate for a fair picture.
Is a bigger unit ever cheaper per square foot?
Frequently, yes. Larger units usually cost less per square foot because fixed costs like doors, locks and access spread over more space. If you are close to filling a small unit, pricing the next size up sometimes costs only a little more for a lot more room.
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This calculator is for educational purposes. Double-check important results before acting on them.