Self storage units in Salt Lake City, UT

Cost of Self Storage in Salt Lake City, UT: Traditional vs. Peer-to-Peer

With Salt Lake City’s cost of living on the rise, expect to see hikes in local self-storage prices. Unfortunately, many self-storage aggregate sites instruct visitors to contact the facility for more information related to pricing.

Fortunately, on peer-to-peer marketplaces like Neighbor, the fixed price is always posted–so you don’t have to worry about calling the facility for pricing information.

Generally speaking, you can expect peer-to-peer self-storage options to be up to 30% cheaper than traditional options.

In SLC, a 5’x5’ unit at a traditional storage facility will cost around $74 per month, whereas on Neighbor you’ll pay around $21 a month for the same storage space.

Types of Self-Storage Spaces Available in SLC: Traditional vs. Peer-to-Peer

If you go the traditional route, you’ll have the choice between indoor access and drive-up storage units. But what’s the difference exactly?

• Indoor-access storage facilities are multi-level buildings where tenants enter their units from an interior hallway. Often climate-controlled, these spaces maintain temperatures between 55-85 degrees. These units aren’t designed for vehicle storage–item storage only.
• Drive-up storage resembles garages with roll-up doors. With this option, you can pull your car right up to your assigned unit and unload/load as necessary. Just beware: When Salt Lake City is experiencing a downpour of that famous snow, it may be more difficult to unload/load your items with snowflakes pelting in your face (or at least more uncomfortable).

With both indoor access and drive-up access units, you’ll usually have the following unit size options:

• 5’x5’
• 5’x10’
• 10’x10’
• 10’x15’
• 10’x20’ (Ideal for large furniture and vehicle storage)
• 10’x30’ (Ideal for vehicle storage)
• 10’x40’ (Ideal for vehicle storage)

On Neighbor’s peer-to-peer marketplace, you’ll have a much broader range of options including…

• Private residential garages
• Sheds
• Spare rooms
• Basements (Unfinished or finished)

But let’s set the record straight: Neighbor’s storage marketplace doesn’t only list residential spaces. You’ll also find the same traditional storage units you’d find on other aggregates just listed at prices 30% cheaper.

When shopping for the right self-storage unit be sure to keep these tidbits in your back pocket:

• Salt Lake City prohibits residents from living and working in a storage unit
• A 10’x10 is the most popular size of storage unit in SLC
• Storage cost hinges on location, the size of the unit, and the amenities offered

Drive-up Storage Units

Right for You If:

• You plan to use your unit for vehicle storage exclusively: Drive-up storage units don’t just look like garages, they operate very similarly too. Just roll up the door and pull your vehicle in. Just make sure the unit is large enough for your vehicle.
• You’re storing large items or vehicles with very specific size dimensions: Residential storage spaces vary significantly in terms of size. Traditional drive-up storage units come in a very similar menu of sizes i.e. 10’x10, 10’x20’, 10’x30’, etc.
• You want loading/unloading your items to be quick and easy: With a drive-up unit, it’s as simple as pulling your car up to your assigned unit. Before you know it, you’ll be within steps of your storage space.
• You want an added layer of insurance protection: Traditional facilities offer insurance plans for an additional monthly cost or a flat fee (depending on the facility). Check out this storage unit insurance guide for pricing information.

Not Right For You If:

• You’re storing high-value/priceless items: While Utah is considered one of the safest states in the US, Salt Lake City has a higher crime rate than the rest of the state. Plus traditional self-storage facilities continue to be targeted by thieves.
• You need climate-controlled storage: Drive-up storage units can qualify as either indoor or outdoor storage mainly because these units aren’t climatized. Therefore, you shouldn’t store sensitive documents, furniture, or electronics in these spaces.
• You want to store your items in a unit close to home: Most renters travel between 10-15 minutes to these storage facilities in remote parts of town.

Indoor-Access Storage Units

Right for You If:

• You want a unit that measures exactly 10’x10': Finding a residential storage space in Salt Lake City that is exactly 10 feet by 10 feet will prove difficult. If you have your heart set on a specific unit size, opt for a traditional storage unit.
• You want an extra layer of insurance protection: While your items are less likely to be damaged in an indoor facility (given that these are temperature-regulated spaces), you still may want a comprehensive storage insurance plan that a traditional facility can offer.
• You don’t mind taking several trips: Your storage unit might be an elevator and a short walk away. Even with a cart, you may have to make several trips to your unit on the 3rd floor.

Not the Right Fit If:

• You want unloading/loading to be a quick process: If you don’t want unloading/loading your items to be a hassle, you’d be better off with a drive-up unit.
• You’re storing heavy furniture: Imagine carrying a heavy couch into an elevator, down a long hallway, and into your storage unit. Without a team of movers, you could end up tweaking your back before you make it to your floor.
• You’re on a tight budget: While those climate-controlled settings will come in handy during Salt Lake City’s coldest and hottest months (January and July), this feature may not be in the budget.

Private Garages

Right for You If:

• You’re willing to pay extra for extra security: While drive-up storage units may look similar to standard one-car garages, residential spaces are up to 14x safer than units in remote areas.
• You want a space close to home: It’ll be easier to find a private residential garage in your neighborhood than a traditional storage unit.

Not the Right Fit If:

• You want to save money on self-storage: Private garages are considerably more expensive per month than drive-up units.
• You want a private storage space: When you rent a traditional unit, the entire space is yours. However, when you rent a private garage, you may share it with other renters or the host.

Shed

Right for You If:

• You’re storing items that don’t require climate-controlled conditions. You could be storing garden tools, a basketball hoop, or even a skateboard. Whatever the case, this is a great budget-friendly storage option for your more durable items.
• You want to save money on self-storage: There’s no reason to spend hundreds of dollars a month to store what are relatively inexpensive items.

Not the Right Fit If:

• You’re storing items that require a dry storage environment like a lawnmower: Compared to enclosed garages, sheds are more susceptible to moisture.
• You’re worried about pest exposure. Sheds aren’t typically well-insulated, which means there’s a higher risk of wildlife entering your storage space.

Spare Bedrooms

Right for You If:

• You want climate-controlled storage on a budget: Because you’ll most likely share a spare room with other renters, you can capitalize on the benefits of climate-controlled storage (without the hefty monthly bill).
• You want someone to keep an eye on your belongings: This storage space is built into someone’s home, meaning they'll be there to respond to any security concerns at a moment’s notice.

Not the Right Fit If:

• You don’t want to schedule an appointment to access your belongings: Unless the bedroom has a private entrance (that you’re given a key to), you’ll need to schedule an appointment with the host.
• You don’t want to share the space with other renters: If you’re storing higher-value or sentimental items, the idea of sharing the space with other renters may make you nervous–despite the cost savings.