The numbers in this guide come from rental and sales companies. Prices vary by market, size, season and provider. Use them to check a quote, not to set a budget. This is not tax or legal advice.
Is it cheaper to rent or buy a storage container?
For a short time, renting is cheaper. For several years, buying can be cheaper. Time is the main factor. Rent adds up each month, while a purchase is paid once and may hold some value.
PODS, a company that rents containers, says renting suits projects under about two years, uncertain timelines and seasonal use. It says buying suits needs lasting at least two or three years, or the foreseeable future. PODS has a reason to favor renting, so treat its timeline as one view.
Here is the basic comparison.
| Rent | Buy | |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | Low: delivery plus first month | High: purchase price plus delivery |
| Monthly cost | Yes, until you return it | None |
| Flexibility | Return it or swap sizes | You own one size |
| Repairs and upkeep | The provider handles it | You handle rust, paint, doors and locks |
| Moving it later | Provider picks it up | You arrange and pay for transport |
| End of use | Return it | Sell, keep or move it |
| Rules on contents | Rental terms limit some items | You set your own, within local law |
PODS notes that rental terms prohibit some items, such as hazardous materials, motorized vehicles and illegal items. An owner is not bound by those terms. Local law still applies to what you store.
What does renting cost?
Rent for a 20 ft unit runs roughly $200 to $275 a month in one provider’s published guide. Stomos Storage gives these ranges: $100 to $150 for an 8 to 10 ft unit, $150 to $225 for 16 ft, $200 to $275 for 20 ft and $250 to $400 for 40 ft. Stomos is a storage provider, so the figures are its own estimates.
The monthly rate is not the whole bill. Stomos lists other costs:
| Cost | Stomos figure |
|---|---|
| Delivery | About $100 to $150, plus possible fuel surcharge |
| Pickup | Billed separately |
| Administrative fee | $25 to $50, one time |
| Insurance | $15 to $40 a month, optional |
| Lock | $15 to $40 |
| Permit | $50 to $100, only if on a street or in a restricted area such as an HOA community |
Stomos estimates about $1,125 for three months of an 8 by 20 container, including delivery, pickup, insurance, an admin fee and a lock. It says longer terms can bring discounts of 10% to 20%. Local rates differ, so get quotes from companies near you. Our guide to portable storage cost explains fees in more detail.
If you rent, the provider usually delivers, picks up and maintains the unit. If you are not sure how long you will need it, ask whether the company offers rent-to-own or lease terms, and what they cost.
What does buying cost?
A used 20 ft container costs about $1,500 to $2,500 at the depot, plus delivery. PODS lists a new container at $5,000 to $9,000, depending on size, quality and features, and a used one at around $1,500. Its expected life for a new container is about 20 years.
Shipping-containers.com gives price bands for the depot, before delivery:
| Item | Published price band |
|---|---|
| Used 20 ft, wind and water tight | $1,500 to $2,500 |
| Used 20 ft, cargo worthy | $2,000 to $3,000 |
| Used 40 ft, wind and water tight | $2,000 to $3,500 |
| Used 40 ft, cargo worthy | $2,800 to $4,500 |
| One-trip 20 ft or 40 ft | $3,000 to $6,500 |
ContainerOne lists delivered prices of $2,000 to $3,800 for a used 20 ft and $3,500 to $5,500 for a new 20 ft one-trip. The sources differ, and prices change with the market. Treat these as ranges.
Delivery adds to the price. Shipping-containers.com says a local haul costs a few hundred dollars, and a long haul to a rural inland site can exceed $1,000. Tax and local fees are extra.
Which container grade should I buy?
For simple storage on your own property, a wind and water tight unit is usually enough. YesContainers says wind and water tight (WWT) is usually sufficient for stationary storage on private property. It says cargo worthy is required for stacking, crane lifts and international shipping, and costs about $300 to $800 more.
Container grades are trade terms, not one legal standard. Two sellers may use a word differently. Get the grade and what it guarantees in writing. Shipping-containers.com says WWT keeps out rain and wind but shows wear like rust and dents, and that As-Is units are sold without grading and carry buyer risk.
If you can visit the seller, inspect the unit. Check the roof, floor, doors and seals, and look for deep rust at the corners. If you cannot, ask for photos of every side, the roof, both doors and the floor, with a date. Ask for the container number before delivery so you can match the unit that arrives.
When does renting beat buying?
Rent when you need the unit for a short time, a changing time, or a season. Rent when you want someone else to deliver, repair and take it back. Rent when you cannot place a container for the long term.
PODS also says renting lets you add, return or swap sizes. Owners are locked into one size. If you are not sure how much space you need, our guide to container sizes helps you choose.
Renting is a good fit for these cases:
- A home move or a remodel that lasts a few months
- A seasonal business that needs space for a few months each year
- A project where the end date may move
- A lot where a long-term container might not be allowed
When does buying beat renting?
Buy when you will use the unit for years, have a place to keep it and can handle upkeep. Owners pay once, and a container in good shape can last a long time. PODS says a new container lasts about 20 years and that owned containers often retain value and sometimes appreciate.
But owning has work. PODS lists these downsides: outdoor exposure can cause rust and moisture damage, and some containers handle extreme temperatures poorly. Owners handle repairs, paint, doors and locks. PODS also says other containers may need a foundation, such as a gravel pad or trailer, especially if stacked or left in place for more than a year.
ContainerOne lists the site access it expects for delivery of a purchased container: at least 12 ft wide, 60 ft of clear length for a 20 ft container, 14 ft of vertical clearance, and firm, level ground that can support an 80,000 lb loaded truck. These are one seller’s figures, and your seller may ask for more or less. Our guide on site preparation covers ground and access.
Local rules also matter if you own. Zoning, permits and HOA covenants can limit where a container can sit and how long. Read our guide to permits and HOA rules and call your city or HOA before you buy.
How long until buying breaks even?
Divide the delivered purchase price by the monthly rent. The answer is a rough number of months. It ignores resale value, repairs, site work and your time. It also ignores rental delivery and pickup fees. Show the math, and use your own quotes.
Example estimate, not a quote, using the published figures:
| Case | Cost to buy | Monthly rent | Months to break even |
|---|---|---|---|
| Used 20 ft, low | $1,500 + $300 delivery = $1,800 | $275 | 1,800 / 275 = about 6.5 |
| Used 20 ft, high | $2,500 + $300 delivery = $2,800 | $200 | 2,800 / 200 = 14 |
| New, low | $5,000 | $275 | 5,000 / 275 = about 18 |
| New, high | $9,000 | $200 | 9,000 / 200 = 45 |
The $300 delivery is an assumption based on “a few hundred dollars” from Shipping-containers.com. The rent figures come from Stomos.
So a used unit may pay back in roughly 7 to 14 months, and a new one in roughly 18 to 45 months. These ranges are wide because prices are wide.
Add the other costs before you decide:
- Moving an owned container later: PODS puts it at around $3,000, or upwards of $7,000 for long distances or multiple locations.
- Repairs and paint over the years.
- A pad or base for the container if the site needs one.
- Any permit or fee your city or HOA charges.
Subtract what you could get for the unit if you sell it. PODS says owned containers often hold their value, but a sale price is not certain. Check the market in your area.
What if I am a small business?
The same math applies. Add what the unit does for you: space for stock, tools or seasonal gear. If you need the space for years, a purchase can pay off. If your needs change with the season or a contract, renting keeps your money free.
NPSA member companies rent, sell and lease portable storage. A company near you can say which options it offers. Ask each one for a written quote with every fee for rent, for purchase and for a lease, so you can compare.
Questions to ask any provider:
- What is the total cost for my term, including delivery and pickup?
- What grade and size is the unit, and what are its inside measurements?
- What does the contract say about damage, theft and repairs?
- What access and ground does the truck need?
- What happens at the end of the term?
For a quick look at what NPSA members offer, see the page on portable storage containers and on on-site storage.
Next step
Tell NPSA what you need, whether you want to rent or buy, and where the container will go. Request a quote, and an NPSA member company near you will contact you.