Self Storage Hotspots of 2025: Where Americans Are Searching For Extra Space

Americans are increasingly feeling squeezed for space. In fact, a recent StorageCafe survey reveals that nearly 70% of Americans feel overwhelmed by clutter at home – whether they’re renters struggling with shrinking apartments or homeowners dealing with family transitions, downsizing, or renovations.

This trend is especially pronounced in large urban centers, where apartment living is more the norm than the exception. Generally, smaller apartments mean fewer places to store belongings, fueling a storage crisis that’s hard to ignore. Over the past decade alone, the average U.S. apartment has shrunk by about 18 square feet, dropping to a record-low 892 square feet in 2022. And, with one-bedroom apartments now making up 43% of the rental market, compact living is quickly becoming the new standard, forcing residents to seek storage beyond their front doors.

To pinpoint exactly where this squeeze is felt the most, we analyzed self storage search trends across America’s 150 largest cities – standardizing the data per 10,000 residents to ensure a fair comparison. Interestingly enough, the Sun Belt and Western cities are leading the nationwide race for extra room.

Sunbelt and Western cities lead America’s growing storage crunch

A combination of rapid population growth, shrinking housing footprints, and evolving lifestyles is fueling a surge in self storage demand—particularly in the Sun Belt and the urban centers of the West. These regions overwhelmingly dominate the top of the rankings for online searches tied to storage needs.

Baton Rouge claims the top spot, primarily driven by a highly mobile population that includes a large student body and significant military presence—groups that often face frequent moves or temporary housing situations.

Close behind are Florida cities such as Miami and Orlando, where dense urban living, seasonal population fluctuations, and limited in-home storage push many residents toward external solutions. In Miami’s case, a persistent shortage of available storage space adds even more urgency to the search, underscoring just how competitive the market has become.

Here’s a look at the 10 U.S. cities where demand for self storage is highest – along with what residents can expect to pay for a little extra breathing room.

1. Baton Rouge, LA

• 411 self storage searches per 10K residents
• Average rate for storage units in Baton Rouge: $123

Coming in hot at number one, Baton Rouge tops the list for self storage searches among major U.S. cities. According to recent data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Baton Rouge ranks among the fastest-growing economies in the nation, attracting new residents with its expanding job market and promising future.

Further fueling this growth is a thriving educational sector with over 60,000 students enrolled locally. Baton Rouge is not just booming — it’s future-proofing its prosperity. The large student population feeds into the local self storage market, as students often rely on units to store belongings between semesters or when moving in and out of campus housing.

Online search trends reflect this high demand for extra space. For every 10,000 residents in Baton Rouge, there are 411 monthly searches for self storage — meaning roughly one in every 25 residents is actively looking for a unit.

And it’s not just traditional storage that’s trending. Baton Rouge averages a solid 6,600 monthly searches for general self storage terms, while climate-controlled units rack up another 1,900 monthly searches. RV storage is also in hot demand, with an average of 880 monthly searches.

Looking ahead, the market is expected to maintain its affordability. The city is set to add an additional 118,000 square feet of storage space in 2025, expanding inventory and helping ease competition among renters.

2. Reno, NV

• 360 self storage searches per 10K residents
• Average rate for storage units in Reno: $130

Reno emerges as a strong contender, ranking second nationwide for self storage search interest.

The city has undergone a remarkable transformation over the past decade, with its population growing by 16% between 2013 and 2023. Reno’s multifamily housing sector, in particular, has seen a surge in activity, attracting waves of new renters. In fact, permits for new multifamily developments have tripled in the 2020s compared to the previous decade — a clear sign of increasing housing demand.

Plus, Reno’s growing tech scene is bringing in a wave of talent — many of whom are working remotely or in hybrid roles. And while skipping the daily commute is a big win, it often means carving out space at home for a proper office setup. That’s where self storage comes in handy.

Every month, there are about 360 online searches in Reno specifically related to finding more room through storage services. It’s a clear sign that as the city grows, both residents and businesses are looking for smart, flexible ways to manage their space.

3. Las Vegas, NV

• 251 self storage searches per 10K residents
• Average rate for storage units in Las Vegas: $129

Las Vegas joins Reno as a hotspot for self storage demand, holding the third spot on the list for self storage searches per capita.

With high prices and limited space, residents are increasingly looking to optimize their living situations. Interest in self storage is growing in Las Vegas, with an impressive 251 searches per 10,000 residents in a single month. This trend saw a 5% uptick from 2023 to 2024.

The self storage market in Las Vegas remains well-equipped to meet this demand, offering a healthy supply of about 7.5 square feet per capita. Looking ahead to 2025, the market is poised for further growth, with approximately 339,000 square feet of new inventory expected.

4. Tacoma, WA

• 250 self storage searches per 10K residents
• Average rate for storage units in Tacoma: $145

Tacoma may be known for its peaceful charm and scenic views, but it’s also making waves in the self storage market — ranking fourth nationally for self storage searches per capita.

One reason for the surge in demand? Limited space. Tacoma offers just 4.3 square feet of self storage per person, falling short of the national benchmark. On top of that, the city’s apartments are about 10% smaller than the national average, leaving many residents searching for ways to stretch their living space.

It may not be all that surprising, then, that interest in self storage is on the rise. Tacoma now averages around 250 monthly online searches per 10,000 residents — a striking 123% increase compared to 2023. With space at a premium, more locals are turning to storage units as a practical extension of their homes.

5. Salt Lake City, UT

• 240 self storage searches per 10K residents
• Average rate for storage units in Salt Lake City: $133

Salt Lake City, UT, finds itself at fifth place for self storage searches. On average, every month sees 240 online queries related to finding storage solutions.

Given Utah’s reputation as the state with biggest average household and challenges in housing affordability, the demand for more storage solutions comes as no surprise, as small living spaces and big families don’t mix well together.

In Salt Lake City particularly, families are feeling the challenge of affordability at its fullest. Here, the housing market has been named one of Zillow’s hottest for 2025, being ranked among the least affordable places to buy a home. Priced out of homes and struggling with limited space, residents are now typing away online for additional storage options.

Among self storage queries, vehicle storage has also garnered a good amount of online attention, penciling in 880 searches every month.

6. Miami, FL

• 233 self storage searches per 10K residents
• Average rate for storage units in Miami: $173

In Miami, Florida, residents are on the hunt for more space. With nearly the double number of renters compared to homeowners, coupled with tightening living spaces, self storage has become a much needed extension to the home.

Miami’s colleges and outdoor enthusiasts alike also press the demand for storage. Be it to cater to students during breaks or relocations, as well as adrenaline seeking adventurers looking for a unit to store their kayaks or camping gear, storage solutions are trending upwards.

In fact, 2% of Miami’s population is actively searching for self storage each month, a 30% increase when compared to 2023.

On a monthly basis, Miami also sees significant interest in particular storage options. For vehicle storage, the demand totals 590 searches, as well as 480 searches dedicated to car storage queries.

Due to its tropical climate, Miami is also pushing many residents to turn to climate-controlled storage units to keep everything nice and dry. As such, on average, there are about 233 searches per month for these specialized facilities.

7. Orlando,FL

• 226 self storage searches per 10K residents
• Average rate for storage units in Orlando: $126

Orlando ranks seventh in the nation for self storage searches — and it’s easy to see why. The city’s booming tech and logistics sectors have made it a magnet for job seekers, fueling a steady influx of new residents. To keep up with the growing population, apartment inventory has surged by an impressive 132% over the past two decades. But as more people move in and urban living becomes the norm, the need for extra space has become increasingly pressing.

That’s where self storage comes in. Riding the wave of residential expansion, the local storage market has grown in tandem. Both newcomers and longtime locals are turning to storage units as a practical way to manage their space in a fast-paced, high-growth environment. Online interest reflects this trend, with about 226 self storage searches per month for every 10,000 residents — a clear sign that demand shows no signs of slowing down.

8. Boise, ID

• 224 self storage searches per 10K residents
• Average rate for storage units in Boise: $115

Boise is showing strong demand for self storage, with an average of 224 searches per 10,000 residents each month – an indicator of the city’s growing need for extra space.

This rising interest aligns with Idaho’s broader population boom. The state is attracting about 10 new residents for every 1,000 people already living there, and many of those newcomers are landing in Boise – the state’s economic and cultural hub. The city is especially popular among Gen Zers seeking fresh opportunities, as well as families and young professionals looking to put down roots.

With this steady stream of new arrivals comes a surge in demand for practical space solutions. Whether it’s to ease the transition into a new home, make room in smaller apartments, or accommodate hybrid work setups, residents are turning to self storage as a reliable and flexible option to manage their belongings.

9. Anchorage, AK

• 208 self storage searches per 10K residents
• Average rate for storage units in Anchorage: $222

Anchorage, known for its rugged beauty and chilly landscapes, ranks ninth nationwide for self storage demand — just edging into the top ten.

The city’s housing market has undergone significant changes in recent years, with the average price of a single-family home reaching nearly $514,000 in 2024 — a staggering 40% increase since 2019. As affordability becomes a growing concern, many residents are adjusting their expectations, often opting for smaller homes as a more attainable alternative.

This shift has contributed to increased interest in self storage, with Anchorage averaging 208 storage-related searches per 10,000 residents each month. It’s one of several signs that locals are leaning on storage solutions to help manage space limitations brought on by rising housing costs and smaller living environments.

Anchorage’s self storage inventory sits slightly below the national average, at 6.4 square feet per capita — a limited supply that likely contributes to higher rental costs. As a result, the average price for a storage unit in the city is around $222, placing Anchorage among the more expensive self storage markets in the U.S.

10. Tempe, AZ

• 201 self storage searches per 10K residents
• Average rate for storage units in Tempe: $118

Tempe, Arizona, ranks 10th nationally for self storage searches per capita, averaging 201 monthly searches per 10,000 residents — a 19% increase from 2023 to 2024. This growing interest is driven by a range of local factors, including the city’s large student population, anchored by Arizona State University. Students frequently seek temporary storage during semester breaks or while transitioning between housing. Small business owners also rely on storage units for inventory and equipment, contributing to the steady demand.

Notably, vehicle and car storage are major drivers of interest in Tempe, with nearly 3,500 monthly searches for these two categories combined. Several factors are fueling this trend: rapid population growth and urbanization have led many residents to move into smaller homes or apartments with limited parking. The desert climate creates additional pressure, as extreme heat encourages residents to seek covered or climate-controlled storage to protect their vehicles. Tempe’s active, outdoorsy lifestyle also contributes, with many locals owning RVs, boats, or collectible cars that require secure, offsite storage when not in use.

Despite this strong and diverse demand, Tempe’s self storage inventory remains below the national average at just 4 square feet per capita. With limited supply and growing needs across student, residential, and business sectors, Tempe continues to be a high-demand, high-pressure market for self storage.

With a housing crunch putting pressure on both homebuyers and renters, self storage demand is rising across the United States. Among the 150 largest cities, the West stands out, with seven cities ranking high for high-intent self storage searches. Leading the pack overall, however, is Baton Rouge – which has claimed the number one spot in the nation for self storage search interest.

Here’s a closer look at all 150 U.S. cities and how they stack up when it comes to self storage interest, availability, and pricing.