- StorageCafe’s survey found 26% of respondents currently use self storage, with another 28% planning future use.
- Self storage searches across 150 major US cities rose 23% year over year in 2025, nearly triple 2024 growth.
- Affordability ranked as the top facility feature, while national advertised rents fell 1.6% year over year in July 2026.
Self storage demand is expanding across both current users and future renters. StorageCafe found that 26% of survey respondents currently rent a unit, while another 28% plan to use storage later. Search activity also accelerated across major US cities in 2025.
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More Households Treat Storage as Extra Space
StorageCafe’s survey covered 1,430 respondents between November 2025 and June 2026. Current usage reached 29% among homeowners and 21% among renters. Gen X had the highest current use at 35%, while only 13% of Gen Z respondents rented a unit. However, 32% of Gen Z said they plan to use storage in the future.
The Details
Space constraints remained the leading reason for renting storage. Not having enough room appeared in 34% of homeowner responses and 31% of renter responses. Moving was another major trigger, cited by 20% of homeowners and 30% of renters. Climate-controlled units were the most common format, used by 54% of current users. The 10-foot-by-10-foot unit was the most frequently cited size at 23%.
Self Storage Demand Grows as Pricing Softens
Searches across 150 major US cities increased 23% year over year in 2025, based on Google Ads data used by StorageCafe. Memphis led the dataset with a 181% increase, followed by Port St. Lucie at 175% and Chesapeake at 170%. Yet the broader self storage market still faces softer pricing. Yardi Matrix said national advertised rates fell 1.6% year over year in July 2026, the seventh straight annual decline.
Why It Matters
Affordability was the most-selected facility feature, cited in 28% of survey responses. Location followed at 17%, while security and climate control each drew 10%. The data suggests storage remains useful to households even when budgets are tight. Operators therefore face a market with strong lifestyle demand but greater price sensitivity.
What’s Next
Work patterns may broaden the user base further. Hybrid workers had the highest current storage usage at 34%. Fully remote workers had lower current usage at 28%, but 40% said they intend to use storage in the future. That group could become a meaningful source of incremental demand as households keep adapting living space for work.
