5'×5' storage
NATIONAL BENCHMARKS

What a 5×5 costs nationally.

There is no single primary source for a national 5×5 median rent in 2026. Yardi Matrix publishes a per-sqft figure for the combined-mix portfolio. SpareFoot publishes all-size all-type average. Public Storage publishes a 5×5 specific figure in its 2026 price guide. We triangulate.

The triangulated 5×5 figure: $45/mo

Yardi reports a national average of $16.22 per square foot per year (April 2026 data via Multi-Housing News), which is $1.35 per square foot per month for the combined-mix portfolio. On a 25-sqft base that equals $33.79/mo — but small units carry a per-sqft premium because operating cost amortises over fewer paid square feet. SpareFoot's 2026 small-unit guidance puts 5×5 at $35-$60/mo nationally. Public Storage's 2026 published price guide lists 5×5 climate at $51/mo and non-climate at $47/mo as their national average. The triangulated figure $45/mo sits between Yardi's per-sqft implication and SpareFoot's all-operator guidance.

YoY change: -2.2%

The national storage rent index declined 2.2% YoY through April 2026 per Yardi Matrix (April 2026 report). 5×5 specifically: 2025 figure was approximately $46/mo triangulated; 2026 is $45/mo. The decline reflects Sun Belt oversupply (Phoenix, Cape Coral, Glendale CA) pulling national averages down faster than coastal undersupply markets (Boston, SF, NYC) can pull them up.

The spread: $23/mo to $167/mo

The cheapest verified 5×5 rolling rate in our dataset is Fort Worth, TX at $23/mo — climate-controlled, post-promo. Texas oversupply. Public Storage McCart Ave climate-controlled rolling.

The most expensive verified 5×5 rolling rate is Boston, MA at $167/mo — climate-controlled. Climate-controlled rolling rate. Yardi flags Boston as lowest supply per capita (0.7 sqft) and highest YoY rent growth (+9.7% Mar 2026).

What drives the spread

  • Supply per capita. Boston (0.7 sqft per capita) and SF (~3.2 sqft) are at the bottom; Texas / Florida cities (6-8 sqft) are at the top.
  • Climate control demand. Phoenix and Houston have near-universal climate-control adoption in 5×5 inventory; Pacific Northwest is split; Boston is universal because of winter humidity cycles.
  • New construction pipeline. Phoenix at 6.5% of inventory under construction (highest in nation per Yardi) keeps Phoenix flat-to-declining despite climate demand. Portland OR at 0.5% has supportive pricing.
  • Migration patterns. 2025 state-to-state migration hit a 12-year low. Florida migration down 93% YoY; Texas / Georgia / Arizona down 50%+. Sunbelt demand is softening at the same time supply is delivering — the worst dynamic for pricing.

Sources