In this article, we’ll show you everything you need to know about how to rent a storage unit for college (or any other reason for that matter).
Estimated reading time: 7 minutes
If you’re heading off to college, you’re probably wondering what to do with all your things as you move near campus. Renting a storage unit is, in our not-so-humble opinion, a great idea. If you’re a new student, though, it’s likely you’ve never used storage before. If that’s the case, don’t stress because it’s straightforward and convenient. That’s why so many students opt to rent their own storage units at some point. In fact, a recent study by NSA found that 50% of college students used storage at least once. With that in mind, here’s everything you need to know about how to rent a storage unit.
ABOUT US: iStorage is a leader in the self-storage industry. We have convenient locations in over 160 American cities. All of our storage units are clean, safe, and very affordable. They're also secure, with 24/7 video security and on-site managers. At iStorage, your Things Matter.
How Much Does It Cost to Rent a Storage Unit?
The cost of renting a storage unit depends on a few important questions. Before you rent your unit, ask yourself these questions:
- In what city will you need storage?
- What size storage unit will you need?
- Do you need temperature control?
- How long will you need to use storage?
Knowing this information ahead of time will help save you time and money when you rent your unit. Read on to determine the answers to those questions.
In What City Are You Renting a Storage Unit?
In California and New York, for example, you’ll pay more for a storage unit than in Kansas or Minnesota. Wherever you go, though, we strive to keep our prices competitive and affordable. For comparison, in San Francisco, the cost of a 5×5 storage unit is $106.00* a month. In Birmingham, AL, that same 5×5 storage unit is $26.00* a month.
Again, our prices are competitive in both cities. However, our units are ultimately priced due to the cost of facility upkeep and market demand in each city. It’s simply that in San Francisco, it costs more to repair the facility than it does in Kansas. Your best bet; check out the prices on our website for the city where you need a storage unit.
*prices subject to change based on facility features and market availability
What Size Storage Unit Will You Need?
Most people underestimate how much you can fit in a storage unit. The average college student would have plenty of space in a small storage unit since there’s usually about 8 ft of room to stack vertically. Think of it this way, if you’re renting a 5×5 storage unit, it’s the size of a large closet. If you’re renting a 10×10 on the other hand, it’s about the size of half of a one-car garage. Check out this rough breakdown of how many moving boxes might fit in each unit size.
| Storage Unit Size | What Can It Fit? |
| 5 x 5 | 7 – 10 moving boxes* |
| 5 x 10 | 20 – 25 moving boxes* |
| 5 x 15 | 40 – 60 moving boxes* |
| 10 x 10 | 100 – 120 moving boxes* |
*Keep in mind these are rough estimates. The items your storing will affect how many boxes could theoretically fit in a unit. Your item’s size, the size of the boxes, and how you pack the unit will affect the number of boxes that any storage unit can hold. The small storage size guide on our blog is another great way to tell how much space you’ll need.
Do You Need Temperature Control?
These particular units keep the temperature between 55°F and 85°F all year. That way, you will protect anything that can’t get too hot or too cold. If you’re an art student, music major, or even studying computer science – some of your class materials might need temperature-controlled storage. Check out this incomplete list of items that definitely need temperature-controlled storage:
- Artwork, canvas, and paints.
- Musical instruments and studio gear.
- Photographs, cameras, and memory cards.
- Computers, televisions, and chargers.
- Anything paper, like class books and important documents.
Contact us for more information on what you should store in a temperature-controlled unit. We’re happy to help!
How Long Can You Rent Your Unit?
The short answer here is however long you like. As long as you pay your rent, your things can stay inside. Here’s the thing, college students; most of you won’t need long-term storage. That study by NSA that we mentioned earlier showed that most college students rent a storage unit for 3 months or less. What students need is a solution at the beginning, and end, of every semester. One that saves you time, energy, and moving all your stuff long-distance every time school starts or ends.
That’s why iStorage only offers month-to-month leases – just call us non-committal. If you only need your storage unit for 1, 2, or 3 months, no problem! Need it longer than that? That’s totally fine too. You’ll never get stuck in a long-term contract with us like several other storage companies out there. Easy, right?
How Long Does It Take To Rent Storage Units?
It used to be that if you wanted to rent a storage unit, you needed to go to the self-storage facility in person. Some storage facilities still do that, but not iStorage. In a world full of convenient purchases like Uber and Instacart, we thought self-storage should catch up. That’s why you can rent online with just a few clicks from the comfort of your snuggie.
So, how long does it take to rent a storage unit online? About 10 minutes. Seriously, we did the math. Choosing your unit, plugging in your billing info, and signing your lease online takes less time than watching an episode of Friends.
How To Rent a Storage Unit Online Today
Now that you’ve figured out the precursors to renting a storage unit, you’re ready to rent! Here’s a simple step-by-step of how to rent online with us today:
- Go to the iStorage location map.
- Find a location near your campus and click “choose location.”
- Click “Rent” next to the unit type that suits you best!
- Fill in your name, contact info, move-in date and billing details.
- Sign your lease and move in!
In Conclusion, College Storage is Easy!
The answer to how to rent a storage unit is simple; rent online with iStorage! You can chat online or via phone with a friendly rep and ask them any questions you have. When you’re ready, you can quickly reserve your rental unit online, so it’s ready when you arrive at school. Have an excellent year, college kids!
