How Much More Climate-Controlled Storage Costs
A climate-controlled storage unit costs a median of 10% more than a standard unit of the same size, at the same facility, on the same floor. That figure comes from 485 matched pairs of units in the 20 cities we track, compared inside each facility so that location, brand, and floor cannot explain the difference.
What climate control means
A climate-controlled unit is inside a building that is heated and cooled to stay within a set temperature range, and often a humidity range too. A standard unit, such as a drive-up unit with a roll-up door, follows the weather outside. Operators set their own ranges, so ask the facility what its range is if an item needs one.
The premium by unit size
Each figure compares the cheapest climate-controlled unit and the cheapest standard unit of that size on the same floor of the same facility. A pair where the climate-controlled unit is cheaper is counted as it is, not dropped. A median needs at least 10 pairs to be shown.
| Size | Climate premium, median | Matched pairs |
|---|---|---|
| 5x5 | 14% | 72 |
| 5x10 | 13% | 108 |
| 10x10 | 10% | 107 |
| 10x15 | 6% | 65 |
| 10x20 | -11% | 48 |
| 10x30 | Too few pairs | None |
Climate-controlled storage by city
The share column is the part of each city's priced units that are climate controlled. It shows what facilities in that city chose to build. Cities are sorted by that share.
| City | Units climate controlled | Climate premium, median | Matched pairs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miami, FL | 73% | 0% | 12 |
| Chicago, IL | 60% | 17% | 11 |
| Charlotte, NC | 57% | 10% | 42 |
| Philadelphia, PA | 56% | 10% | 49 |
| Atlanta, GA | 55% | 10% | 31 |
| Austin, TX | 55% | 22% | 37 |
| San Antonio, TX | 50% | 7% | 24 |
| Nashville, TN | 49% | 39% | 29 |
| Houston, TX | 49% | 11% | 86 |
| Denver, CO | 41% | 6% | 25 |
| Dallas, TX | 41% | 12% | 49 |
| El Paso, TX | 41% | Too few pairs | None |
| Seattle, WA | 38% | Too few pairs | None |
| Portland, OR | 37% | 5% | 17 |
| Las Vegas, NV | 34% | 6% | 16 |
| Louisville, KY | 34% | Too few pairs | None |
| San Diego, CA | 25% | 6% | 21 |
| Los Angeles, CA | 24% | Too few pairs | None |
| Oklahoma City, OK | 22% | 11% | 11 |
| San Jose, CA | 16% | Too few pairs | None |
When it is worth paying for
Pay for climate control when heat, cold, or damp can damage what you store: wood furniture, electronics, photographs, paper records, instruments, leather, and anything you store for many months. Skip it for tools, garden equipment, and items packed in sealed plastic bins, especially for a short stay. Weigh the premium in dollars on the unit you want against what it would cost to replace what you are storing.
A cheaper route is sometimes a standard unit inside a building. Those are not climate controlled, but they avoid direct sun and rain. Ask the facility which kind a unit is before you book.
Questions
How much more does climate-controlled storage cost?
At facilities that rent both kinds, a climate-controlled unit costs a median of 10% more than a standard unit of the same size on the same floor, across 485 matched pairs in the 20 cities we track.
Do I need a climate-controlled storage unit?
Consider one for wood furniture, electronics, photographs, documents, musical instruments, and leather goods, which can warp, corrode, or grow mold in a unit that follows outdoor heat and humidity. Tools, patio furniture, and items in plastic bins usually do fine in a standard unit.
Why do some cities have more climate-controlled units?
Facilities build for their local climate and renters. Of the priced units we track, 73% are climate controlled in Miami and 16% in San Jose. The share for every tracked city is in the table on this page.