Self-Storage Industry Statistics for 2025

What the numbers reveal about a sector adapting to new market dynamics

The global self-storage industry enters 2025 at a critical juncture, past its pandemic-era highs but still demonstrating resilience and strategic growth. As new supply moderates in some regions and investor focus shifts to underpenetrated markets, the latest numbers provide a clearer picture of where the industry stands and where it’s heading.

This data-led snapshot explores the current scale of the self-storage sector, tracking global facility counts, per capita usage, rent trends, and occupancy performance across leading markets.

Facility Counts: Global Snapshot

  • United States: 69,400 facilities
  • United Kingdom: 4,546 facilities
  • Australia-New Zealand: 3,000 facilities
  • Europe (ex-UK): ~5,000 facilities

While U.S. growth has plateaued in many top-tier markets, secondary cities and suburban corridors are still seeing selective development. In the UK and parts of Europe, supply growth remains modest but deliberate, targeting underserved urban and regional zones.

Net Rentable Area and Usage Per Capita

  • U.S.: 2.6 billion NRSF
  • UK: 103 million NRSF
  • Australia: 7.6 million NRSqm

Per capita usage continues to be a key benchmark for market maturity.

Usage Per Capita

Markets below 1.0 sq ft per person are viewed as having long-term upside, particularly as consumer awareness and urban density increase.

Self-Storage Rental Rate Trends (2025 YTD)

United States

  • 10×10 climate-controlled: $135/month (–2.1% YoY)
  • 10×10 non-climate: $110/month (–1.3% YoY)

Rate softening reflects a more competitive environment in oversupplied metros and slower lease-up periods in newer builds.

United Kingdom

  • National average: £27–£30/sq ft/year
  • London zones: Often exceed £35/sq ft/year

Despite limited new supply, regional rate growth has remained stable, especially in commuter zones and regional cities like Bristol and Leeds.

Australia-New Zealand

  • Major metro averages: AU$25–30/sq ft/year
  • Rate performance is closely tied to local economic cycles and urban housing trends

Self-Storage Occupancy Performance

Global occupancy rates remain healthy overall, suggesting that while rate pressure exists, core demand remains intact.

Region Avg. Occupancy (%)

  • U.S.: 89-91%
  • UK: 83–87%
  • Australia: 80–85%

Operators continue to rely on promotions to sustain occupancy, but tenant duration remains relatively stable, particularly in suburban and regional markets.

Market and Investment Trends to Watch

  • Shift to Secondary Markets: In the U.S. and UK, capital is flowing to non-core regions where land costs are lower and competition is less intense.
  • Europe’s Expansion Curve: Growth in Belgium, Portugal, the Netherlands, and Norway is led by REITs and first-wave developers targeting high-growth, dense urban markets with high household incomes.
  • Business and E-Commerce Usage: The share of commercial customers continues to rise, especially in urban hubs with limited warehousing options.
  • Data-Driven Pricing: Larger operators are refining dynamic pricing and unit-level revenue management as rate growth slows.

FAQs

Is the U.S. market oversaturated?

Yes, in some metro areas, but there is still growth potential in secondary and tertiary markets with strong fundamentals and limited new supply.

Where are the most underpenetrated opportunities?

Portugal, Eastern Europe, and suburban UK markets with high housing density and low facility counts per capita.

Are rates expected to rebound in 2025?

In the U.S., modest stabilization is expected by late 2025. The UK and Australia rates are projected to remain steady due to constrained new supply.

TL;DR: Self-Storage in 2025

  • Over 67,000 U.S. facilities
  • Global market: 2.8 billion+ sq ft of rentable space
  • Per capita usage under 1.0 sq ft in most international markets
  • Rental rates softening in U.S., holding steady elsewhere
  • Occupancy averaging 83–89% globally
  • Secondary and international markets driving future growth
  • The 2025 self-storage landscape is shaped by moderation, precision, and opportunity — especially where market fundamentals remain strong and supply is still catching up.