| Unit Size | Average Price (Monthly) | Lowest Price (Monthly) |
|---|---|---|
| 5'x5' | $57.32 | $19.00 |
| 5'x10' | $80.62 | $34.00 |
| 10'x10' | $140.49 | $67.00 |
| 10'x15' | $218.50 | $120.00 |
| 10'x20' | $301.32 | $146.00 |
San Diego's self storage market is booming, and it's not just because of our beautiful beaches. After analyzing thousands of local bookings, I've found three key factors driving demand: skyrocketing housing costs, frequent military relocations, and our city's growing population density.
Housing prices have jumped over 27% in the last three years alone, forcing many residents into smaller living spaces. A customer named Miguel recently told me, "I downsized from a 3-bedroom house in Mira Mesa to a 1-bedroom apartment downtown. My 10×10 unit is basically my garage now."
With the average San Diego apartment now under 900 square feet, it's no wonder our facilities maintain an 85% occupancy rate even during slow seasons. And with limited new construction, don't expect prices to drop anytime soon.
When you search for "self storage near me" in San Diego, what's actually convenient? Our user data shows most San Diegans won't travel more than 3.5 miles to access their storage unit. That makes sense, nobody wants to battle I-5 traffic just to grab their holiday decorations.
Here's what "near me" typically means in different areas:
In a city spread out like San Diego, proximity matters more than you might think. A facility that's 5 minutes from your daily commute will get used much more frequently than one that's 20 minutes out of your way, even if the farther option is cheaper.
While national chains have their place, local San Diego storage facilities offer distinct advantages I've seen make a real difference for our users:
When you need immediate storage solutions, these local touches can transform a stressful situation into a manageable one.
San Diego's coastal humidity isn't as extreme as Miami's, but don't be fooled, it can still wreak havoc on your belongings. In facilities within 5 miles of the coast, we've recorded humidity fluctuations between 60-80% throughout the year. This is why climate-controlled units are worth the extra $15-25 per month in areas like Pacific Beach, Ocean Beach, and La Jolla.
James, a collector storing vintage vinyl records near Mission Bay, learned this lesson the hard way: "I saved $20 a month on a standard unit, but ended up with warped records worth ten times that amount."
Climate-controlled units in San Diego typically maintain:
They're essential for storing electronics, wooden furniture, musical instruments, and important documents. In inland areas like Santee or Escondido, standard units might suffice except during summer months when temperatures regularly exceed 90°F (32°C).
For quick access and heavy items, drive-up units remain San Diego's most popular option. These units allow you to park directly in front of your space, ideal when you're hauling surfboards from your Pacific Beach apartment or moving furniture from your Clairemont home.
Most facilities offer these units in sizes ranging from 5×5 feet (1.5×1.5 meters) to 10×30 feet (3×9 meters), with prices typically 5-15% less than indoor units of equivalent size. The convenience factor is substantial, our survey showed San Diegans access drive-up units nearly twice as frequently as indoor units.
Pro tip: In San Diego's storage market, drive-up units typically rent faster than indoor units. If you need one, especially in popular areas like Mission Valley or Kearny Mesa, book immediately when you see availability.
With year-round perfect weather and strict HOA regulations, San Diego has one of the highest demands for vehicle storage in California. Whether you're storing a jet ski from Mission Bay, an RV for desert trips to Anza-Borrego, or a classic car you're restoring in your spare time, specialized vehicle storage is often essential.
Options typically include:
Facilities near Mission Bay, Harbor Island, and Shelter Island often cater specifically to boat storage needs, while RV storage is more prevalent in areas with easier freeway access like Chula Vista and Escondido.
While the national average for storage rental is 14 months, San Diegans typically store longer, about 20 months on average. This extended timeframe reflects our housing challenges and transient military population.
Your timeline affects what to prioritize:
For short-term storage (under 3 months):
For long-term storage (1+ years):
Surprisingly, about 40% of San Diego's storage users are small businesses. From breweries in North Park storing seasonal equipment to e-commerce sellers in Miramar warehousing inventory, commercial storage serves as flexible, affordable space in our tight real estate market.
Business-friendly features to look for include:
Maria, who runs a small event planning business from her Hillcrest apartment, tells us: "My 10×15 unit costs $225 monthly, but it would be $2,000+ for equivalent commercial space. Plus, I can access it anytime without a commercial lease commitment."
Storage in downtown San Diego comes at a premium, with prices typically 20-30% higher than the county average. But, the convenience factor can't be beaten if you live in a high-rise with minimal storage space. Most downtown facilities are multi-story with smaller units (5×5 to 10×10) dominating the inventory.
Typical pricing (October 2025):
Due to the dense urban environment, these facilities excel at security and climate control but often lack drive-up access. If you're storing larger items, you might need to look slightly outside the downtown core. Current availability is extremely tight, with many downtown facilities at 95% capacity.
North County offers some of San Diego's best storage values, particularly in inland areas like Vista and Escondido. The Camp Pendleton military presence creates high turnover, meaning better availability and competitive move-in specials.
Oceanside and Carlsbad facilities cater to the beach lifestyle with specialized surfboard storage, boat parking, and units designed for beach equipment. Meanwhile, Escondido offers some of the county's largest units, perfect for household storage during moves.
Typical pricing (October 2025):
Pro tip: In Oceanside, facilities within 1 mile of Camp Pendleton offer military discounts averaging 15% off regular rates, and they don't always advertise this online, so ask directly.
Central San Diego's storage market serves diverse needs: apartment dwellers in Hillcrest and North Park seeking extra closet space, small businesses using Mission Valley's central location for inventory, and SDSU students storing belongings during summer breaks.
These areas feature a mix of newer, premium facilities and older properties with competitive rates. Mission Valley, with its central location and freeway access, commands the highest prices but offers the best accessibility.
Typical pricing (October 2025):
Availability fluctuates seasonally, with tightest inventory during summer moving season and around SDSU's schedule. Book at least 7-10 days in advance during May-August if possible.
East County offers San Diego's best storage values, with prices often 15-25% below the county average. These facilities typically feature more drive-up units, larger spaces, and better availability than coastal areas.
The trade-off? Higher temperatures. If you're storing temperature-sensitive items, climate control is essential here, where summer temperatures regularly exceed 90°F (32°C). Standard units work fine for seasonal decorations, tools, and outdoor equipment.
Typical pricing (October 2025):
Many East County facilities cater to vehicle storage needs with competitive RV and boat parking rates, particularly in Santee and eastern El Cajon.
South Bay's storage market serves a diverse community with strong military connections from nearby Naval Base San Diego. These facilities often offer bilingual service and flexible terms for military families facing deployment.
Chula Vista has seen significant new storage development in the past five years, resulting in competitive rates and modern facilities. National City offers excellent value for vehicle storage, particularly for classic car enthusiasts and boat owners.
Typical pricing (October 2025):
Pro tip: In Chula Vista's newer facilities, ask about current occupancy. Those under 70% occupied typically offer aggressive move-in specials, sometimes up to 50% off for the first 2-3 months.
In San Diego's diverse neighborhoods, security needs vary dramatically. After analyzing security incidents across hundreds of local facilities, we've found certain features make a significant difference:
For high-value items, I recommend facilities with individual door alarms and on-site management, even if they cost 10-15% more. Data shows these features reduce break-in attempts by over 70%.
Jason, storing collectibles in Mission Valley, told us: "I chose a facility with individual unit alarms after my comic collection was damaged at a cheaper place. The extra $20 monthly gives me peace of mind that's absolutely worth it."
Access hours vary dramatically across San Diego facilities, and this detail often gets overlooked until it's too late. While many advertise "24/7 access," the reality is more complex:
Your access needs should match your usage patterns. If you're a small business needing weekend inventory access or a surfer wanting your boards before dawn, those restricted hours can become a major headache.
Location convenience goes beyond just distance. Consider:
San Diego's storage pricing follows predictable patterns you can leverage to your advantage. Across our platform data, we've observed:
When comparing prices, always ask these critical questions:
Many San Diego facilities offer military discounts (typically 10-15%), student specials (often during summer break), and multi-unit discounts if you need more than one space.
In San Diego's varied climate zones, facility maintenance directly impacts your belongings. Coastal facilities battle salt air corrosion and humidity, while inland locations fight extreme heat and occasional pest issues.
Key maintenance features to evaluate:
I recommend visiting facilities in person before booking to check these factors, photos rarely tell the complete story. Pay special attention to hallway corners, elevator tracks, and bathroom cleanliness as these indicate management attention to detail.
In our two decades of storage industry experience, we've found that management quality significantly impacts your storage experience. The difference between a helpful, proactive manager and an indifferent one becomes crucial when you have an after-hours emergency or special request.
Beyond online reviews (which can be manipulated), look for these trust signals:
Asking current customers about their experience while visiting can provide invaluable insights. We've found that managers who have been with a facility for 3+ years typically provide significantly better service than locations with high staff turnover.
Yes - at least 35 storage facilities in San Diego offer outdoor parking for car, boat, and RV storage. Some facilities even offer covered parking or indoor storage to help protect your vehicle from the elements. Indoor and covered options generally cost more than regular outdoor parking.
On November 15, 2025, the cheapest storage unit in San Diego was $19.00 at Public Storage - San Diego - 11211 Sorrento Valley Road.
On November 15, 2025 the average cost of a 10x10 storage unit in San Diego was $140.49 per month, while the cheapest 10x10 storage unit rented for $67.00 per month at Public Storage - San Diego - 11211 Sorrento Valley Road.
A 10x10 storage unit will fit the contents of a 3 bedroom apartment. On November 15, 2025, 10x10 storage units in San Diego rented for as low as $67.00.
Storage units in San Diego range in price from small 5'x 5' units starting at $19.00 per month to large 10' x 20' units costing $146.00. 10' x 10' units are the most popular size storage unit rented in San Diego and the average price on November 15, 2025 was $140.49 per month.
10' x 10' storage units are the most popular size storage unit rented in San Diego. A 10' x 10' storage unit can accommodate the contents of a 3 bedroom apartment. The average price of a 10' x 10' unit on November 15, 2025 is $140.49 per month. If you're looking for the cheapest 10 x 10 storage unit in San Diego - it's yours for $67.00 monthly.
The average price for a climate controlled storage unit in San Diego on November 15, 2025 is $69.22 per month. Prices vary depending on unit size and facility location. You can find the cheapest climate controlled storage unit in San Diego at Life Storage - 3919 - San Diego - Riviera Shores St for $18.00 per month.
Our listings show over 89 storage facilities in San Diego. Enter your ZIP, choose the unit size and amenities you need and click search. You can also filter by price to find the cheapest storage units in San Diego near you.
There are 48 storage facilities in San Diego offering drive-up storage units. The average cost for drive-up access storage on November 15, 2025 was $322.13 per month. If it's the cheapest drive-up storage unit you're looking for, you can snap it up for $39.00 per month at Storage King USA - 051 - Spring Valley, CA - Elevator Rd.
Storage units in San Diego range in price from small 5'x 5' units starting at $19.00 per month to large 10' x 20' units costing $146.00. 10' x 10' units are the most popular size rented in San Diego and the average price on November 15, 2025 was $140.49 per month.
