Articles by
Andrei Popa
Andrei Popa is a writer and editor for StorageCafe. After writing real estate copy for two years, he made the jump to editorial writing and data-driven storytelling with a focus on the self storage industry.
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March 2026 self storage report: Rents slide in most U.S. cities
National street rates averaged $131 per month in March 2026, unchanged from February but down 2.2% year-over-year. 76% of large U.S. cities recorded annual rent…
February 2026 self storage report: Rents slip nationally for first time since 2025
National street rates edged down to $132 per month in February 2026, marking a 0.8% year-over-year decline, the first annual drop in three months. Rates…
January 2026 self storage report: Rents hold steady nationwide as market enters third month of stabilization
National street rates held at $133 per month in January 2026, unchanged both year-over-year and month-over-month. Boston, MA, and Montgomery, AL, posted the strongest annual…
What not to put in a storage unit (and why it matters)
A storage unit is meant for excess belongings you don’t need right now: Furniture during a move, seasonal items, business inventory, or boxes from a…
December 2025 self storage report: Stabilizing rents close the year amid heavy construction pipelines
$133 national average rent was recorded in December 2025, holding nearly steady after a year dominated by stabilizing prices throughout the self storage industry. Sun Belt…
September 2025 self storage report: Prices rise 1.5% year-over-year in September, even as monthly rates drift
Nationwide, self storage street rates averaged $136 in September 2025, up 1.5% year over year, but down 0.7% from August. The steepest annual rate declines…
How To Store Vinyl Records: 4 Golden Rules
Let’s get something straight: your record collection is in good hands. Why? Because you’re reading up on how to store vinyl records. We respect that,…
How Self Storage Works: A Clear Guide For First-Time Renters
Think of self storage as renting a mini garage or spare room that you don’t have to build. It’s your space, your stuff — just…
The 100 Largest Self Storage Companies in the U.S.: Who Owns the Market?
The self storage industry in the United States is massive, with nearly 2 billion square feet of rentable space. The 100 largest companies own more…
Self Storage Rates Begin to Level Off in March After Steep February Drop
Key Takeaways: Nationwide, self storage street rates dipped 0.7% year-over-year in March 2025 — a smaller drop than the sharper decline seen the month before….
How Friendly Is the Self Storage Market in the Top Renter Migration Hotspots?
Key Takeaways: Self storage prices are more affordable in high-migration states. Texas and North Carolina, the biggest magnets of new renters, are well-supplied on both…
Essential Benefits of Self Storage: 7 Times You’ll Love to Have Extra Space Nearby
Self storage can be a lifeline for anyone caught in the crosscurrents of modern life. In fact, urgent situations often reveal the essential benefits of…
Self Storage Rates Continue to Slow Down While the Sunbelt Leads the Construction Boom
• The self storage industry has registered the 26th month of consecutive year-over-year rent drops. • The average self storage rate for November 2024 was…