Skip to content 2026 California Self-Storage Cost Guide
A storage unit in California typically costs about $78 to $350+ per month depending on its size, with a standard 10×10 unit averaging about $185 per month statewide. Prices can be substantially higher in dense coastal markets such as San Francisco and Oakland and considerably lower in markets such as Sacramento and Fresno.
Current California data puts a 5×5 unit around $78 per month, a 5×10 around $110, a 10×10 around $185, a 10×20 around $265 and a large 10×30 unit around $350 per month. Your actual rate depends heavily on city, access type, floor level, climate control and current promotions.
StorageAtlas currently tracks pricing across 774 facilities in 50 California cities. Its statewide index shows just how quickly monthly costs rise as unit size increases.
| Storage Unit Size | Approx. California Average | Square Feet | Common Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5×5 | $78/month | 25 sq. ft. | Boxes, seasonal items, closet overflow |
| 5×10 | $110/month | 50 sq. ft. | Studio furnishings or a small bedroom |
| 10×10 | $185/month | 100 sq. ft. | Typical one-bedroom apartment contents |
| 10×15 | $238/month | 150 sq. ft. | One- to two-bedroom household |
| 10×20 | $265/month | 200 sq. ft. | Multi-room household storage |
| 10×30 | $350/month | 300 sq. ft. | Large household or business inventory |
Statewide estimates are based on StorageAtlas's California storage price index. Rates change with availability and should be used as a planning benchmark rather than a guaranteed quote.
Oakland & East Bay Storage Costs
A standard 10×10 storage unit in Oakland currently costs roughly $170 to $250 per month depending on which pricing method you use. StorageCafe's July 2026 market statistics put the average non-climate-controlled 10×10 street rate at $201 per month, while live shopping marketplaces show lower promotional and online reservation rates.
That difference matters. Someone shopping online may see a $100 promotional unit even though the broader market street rate for similar units is around $200 or more.
Storage websites measure different things. Some report long-term street rates, some report currently advertised web prices, and others calculate averages from units actually booked online. Promotions, elevator access, floor level and unit inventory can move the price significantly.
| Unit Size | Extra Space Avg. | Current Lowest | StorageCafe Street Rate* |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5×5 | $77 | $22 | $109 |
| 5×10 | $140 | $39 | $160 |
| 10×10 | $218 | $92 | $201 market benchmark |
| 10×15 | $293 | $120 | $303 current listing average |
| 10×20 | $400 | $133 | $422 current listing average |
*Storage market datasets use different inventories and methodologies. These figures illustrate why shoppers should compare actual facilities before signing a rental agreement.
Oakland's constrained urban real estate is part of the equation. StorageCafe reports about 25 local storage facilities, roughly 1.7 million square feet of inventory and only about 2.6 square feet of storage space per resident.
If you're renting storage specifically during a relocation, Ace Moving Co's storage unit movers can help with loading, transportation and moving belongings into or out of a storage facility.
Real Facility Pricing
Market averages are helpful for budgeting, but actual advertised rates provide another important view. Current California facility listings show that two 10×10 units in the same city can differ by $100 or more depending on the facility, access type, floor and promotion.
| Oakland Facility | 10×10 Access | Online Rate | In-Store Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Extra Space — 6401 San Leandro St | Indoor / elevator | $100 | $165 |
| Extra Space — 1090 29th Ave | Drive-up | $159 | $249 |
| StoragePRO — 8855 San Leandro St | Interior / ground floor | $227 | Current listed rate |
One of the clearest findings from our price review is the difference between online and walk-in rates. At the Extra Space location on San Leandro Street, a 10×10 unit advertised for $100 online was listed at $165 in-store. At the 29th Avenue property, the web rate was $159 compared with $249 in-store.
Often, yes. In several California facilities we reviewed, advertised web rates were roughly 25% to 40% lower than the listed in-store price. These discounts are promotional and can change with unit availability.
Bay Area Price Comparison
Location is one of the biggest drivers of storage cost in Northern California. A renter who does not need frequent access to their belongings may be able to save money by comparing facilities a few miles outside their immediate neighborhood.
| Bay Area Market | Approx. 10×10 Monthly Rate | Relative Cost |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco | $217–$309+ | Very High |
| Redwood City | About $297 in current listings | Very High |
| Oakland | About $201 market rate | High |
| San Jose | About $181–$215 | High |
| Santa Clara | About $203 | High |
| San Pablo / El Sobrante | Current listings around $134–$146 | Moderate |
| Vallejo | Current listings from roughly $94 | Lower |
It can. If you only plan to visit a unit a few times per year, paying less for a facility farther from downtown Oakland may outweigh the added driving time. If you need weekly access, convenience may be worth paying a higher local rate.
For Oakland-specific facility considerations, see our guide to storage options in Oakland.
California City Comparison
California is not one storage market. Coastal land costs, population density, available storage inventory and local demand create large differences between cities.
| California Market | Typical / Observed 10×10 Price | Compared With Oakland |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco | About $217–$309+ | Generally higher |
| Los Angeles | About $219–$283+ | Generally higher |
| Oakland | About $201 | Baseline |
| San Jose | About $181–$215 | Similar / slightly lower |
| San Diego | About $177–$185 | Lower |
| Sacramento | About $102–$150 | Much lower |
| Fresno | About $121 | Much lower |
| National Average | About $120 | Much lower |
Choosing the Right Unit
The cheapest storage unit is not always the least expensive choice overall. Renting too small a unit may force you to rent a second space, while paying for a 10×20 when your belongings fit comfortably in a 10×10 wastes money every month.
| Unit Size | Approx. Capacity | Good For | California Avg. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5×5 | 25 sq. ft. | Closet contents, boxes, seasonal items | $78/mo |
| 5×10 | 50 sq. ft. | Studio or small-bedroom contents | $110/mo |
| 10×10 | 100 sq. ft. | Typical one-bedroom apartment | $185/mo |
| 10×15 | 150 sq. ft. | One- to two-bedroom household | $238/mo |
| 10×20 | 200 sq. ft. | Two- to three-bedroom household | $265/mo |
| 10×30 | 300 sq. ft. | Large household or commercial storage | $350/mo |
If you're estimating how much household inventory you actually have, our guide to how many moving boxes you may need can help you estimate your storage footprint before reserving a unit.
Beyond Monthly Rent
The advertised monthly rate is not always the full first-month cost. Before renting, ask the facility what charges will appear on your move-in invoice and whether your promotional price can change later.
It can be for electronics, artwork, wood furniture, photographs, documents, musical instruments and belongings that may remain stored for a long period. California has multiple climate zones, so the value of climate control depends on the city, building design, stored items and expected storage duration.
Storage During a Move
Storage is commonly used when closing dates do not line up, a new home is not ready, someone is downsizing, remodeling is still underway, or part of a household needs to remain packed temporarily.
If your move-in date changes unexpectedly, our delayed move-in and storage timeline guide explains how to coordinate short-term storage without losing track of essential belongings.
For longer projects, detailed contents inventory and box labeling can make it much easier to locate individual belongings later.
Storage is also common during insurance restoration work. Ace Moving Co's guide to Oakland restoration packout and storage explains how belongings may be inventoried, removed, stored and returned while repairs are completed.
If the unit will only be accessed at move-in and move-out, compare facilities outside the most expensive urban core. If you need regular access, convenience can be more valuable than saving $30 or $40 each month.
A 10×10 storage unit averages about $185 per month statewide, although major coastal cities can cost considerably more.
Oakland's July 2026 market rate is about $201 per month for a standard 10×10 unit. Promotional web rates can be considerably lower, with current individual facilities advertising some units near $100.
Dense development, high land values, limited storage inventory and strong renter demand contribute to higher storage prices in Oakland, San Francisco and other Bay Area markets.
Generally, yes. Current Sacramento 10×10 prices are often around $100 to $150 per month, compared with an Oakland market rate around $200.
A 5×5 is typically the least expensive conventional unit. The California statewide benchmark is about $78 per month.
Often it does, although local inventory can occasionally make climate-controlled and standard units similarly priced. Always compare equivalent sizes at the same facility.
Storage leases are commonly month-to-month, so customers should review the rental agreement for rate-change terms and ask how long an introductory price is expected to remain in effect.
Check both. Current California listings show that online promotional rates can sometimes be substantially lower than posted in-store rates.
Ace Moving Co can help load, protect, transport, and move your belongings into or out of storage throughout Oakland and the Bay Area.
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