Staten Island Self-Storage Index: A Complete Guide to Storage in NYC

Self-storage is booming. In 2024, the market was valued at $44.3 billion, with 1 in 5 Americans turning to self-storage operators for extra space. Average occupancy across the country hovers around 84%, reflecting a widespread interest in and need for storage solutions.

New York is among the top cities for self-storage space in the country, with more than 40,800 storage units and total inventory surpassing 24.1M square feet. In 2025 alone, 451,291 square feet were completed, more than tripling 2024's addition of 96,000. Staten Island alone hosts 1.8M square feet of self-storage, providing necessary space for residents and businesses to store furniture, clothing, vehicles, tools and more.

Why Staten Islanders Need Self-Storage

Sometimes called the “Forgotten Borough,” Staten Island is best known for its quieter, residential atmosphere. However, homes still tend to be smaller than in the rest of the United States. The average apartment size is a tiny 669 square feet, ranging from 454 square feet for studios to 1,097 for three-bedrooms. Houses provide a bit more space, offering on average 1,448 square feet for a three-bedroom home.

Though units are small, rent is high, with Staten Island apartments ranging from $1,593 to $2,146 per month. Upgrading to a larger unit, even if affordable, isn’t always a solution. Builders constructing new apartments increasingly prioritize coveted amenities like in-unit washer/dryers, dishwashers, balconies, or larger kitchens over an additional closet. NYC’s Department of Housing and Preservation Development even lowered minimum closet requirements for government-assisted multifamily new construction from 19 to 12 square feet, further disincentivizing developers from providing more storage space.

For the nearly 70% of Staten Islanders who own their home, space also comes at a premium, with prices in certain neighborhoods doubling over the past decade. The median price per square foot is $480, more than triple that of the national median of $154.70 per square foot. While there are no doubt priceless benefits to living in New York City, the cost of home ownership is not one of them. 

Who Uses Staten Island Self-Storage Units (and Why)

With 495,000 residents, Staten Island has the smallest population of New York’s boroughs. Still, its blend of commercial and residential zones and diverse population mean its residents depend on self-storage for special storage needs, including students, vehicle owners, business owners and more.

Students

NYC hosts a post-secondary student population of more than 503,000, attracting pupils from around the world to continue their education at institutions like Wagner College and the City University of New York system.

Self-storage is an important tool for college students. Housing contracts frequently leave students with a gap between the end of an academic year and the beginning of the next one. This means they must find somewhere to put their dorm supplies for the summer, or simply throw them away – and contribute to the 649 pounds of trash generated by college students annually.

For many students, simply taking their furniture, clothes and other belongings back to their childhood home is not an option. Even if their parents have room for the extra items, transporting them all is at best a hassle, if not extremely costly. A cross-country move averages $1.5K to $3K, and that’s just one way. Come first day of classes, the student will need to move everything back into their new dorm.

A short-term storage unit near the college is the perfect solution, empowering students to easily move out for the summer and back in for the fall, without the stress or financial burden of a big move or having to re-buy every item.

Vehicle Owners

Though New York overall has the lowest rates of car ownership in the country, 85% of Staten Islanders own at least one vehicle, approaching the national rate of 92%. Per census data, an estimated 32% of households have at least two vehicles, and 13% have three or more. For residents who have an additional car they don’t use day-to-day, vehicle self-storage frees up the driveway or street and offers a guaranteed parking space and peace of mind.

Small Business Storage

NYC is home to more than 200,000 businesses, including more than 183,000 small businesses. There are countless reasons business owners or other decision makers may invest in self-storage including:

• Housing inventory for ecommerce businesses, or brick-and-mortar retailers with limited on-site storage space
• Storing furniture and supplies during an office renovation or relocation
• Keeping physical records as required by laws for hospitals, law firms and similar organizations
• Storing heavy equipment and other supplies near jobsites for blue-collar businesses

Additional Needs

Holiday Decorations: 35% of Americans buy new holiday decorations every year, filling up storage bins and closet space quickly. Self-storage is ideal for seasonal items, allowing Staten Islanders to keep their homes festive without having to limit their holiday spirit to what they can fit in their apartment year-round.

Renovation Storage: NYC’s home improvement market is valued at $12.2B, the largest in the United States. It’s usually recommended to remove any furniture to avoid damage during the renovation. With a short-term storage unit, homeowners can ensure their furniture is protected throughout the renovation, with flexibility to extend their lease if the project takes longer than expected.

Heirlooms and Collections: Many people inherit family heirlooms they don’t currently have room for but would like to keep. Others collect items like books, records or antiques and surpass their in-home storage space. For people in these circumstances, climate-controlled self-storage is a great solution to protect and store their items.

Key Factors When Choosing a Self-Storage Unit in Staten Island

Climate-Controlled Storage in Staten Island

Throughout the year, typical temperatures in NYC range from about 28°F to 85°F, with extremes in the teens and low nineties. The good news for self-storage users is that Staten Island rarely reaches temperatures high enough to damage most items. However, cold winters and high humidity still make climate-controlled storage units ideal, especially for those storing valuable or delicate items.

When storing items like these, a climate-controlled storage unit is essential to prevent damage:

• Electronics: frequent temperature changes and high moisture can deplete battery life and contribute to rust, corrosion, or other damage.
• Furniture: moisture absorption can lead to warped, cracked or rotted wood, and cold, humid climates can make leather turn brittle, lose color or tear.
• Musical Instruments: condensation and extreme temperatures can severely damage musical instruments, altering tone and playability.
• Paintings and Photographs: heat can fade or melt ink, while cold temperatures can make photographs or canvases brittle. Moisture also causes damage.

Accessibility

Whether using their own vehicle or renting for the day, many self-storage users rely on a car or truck to safely transport items to and from their storage unit. On-site parking is a huge asset, ensuring customers do not have to lug antiques, heavy tools or jam-packed bins down city sidewalks from the nearest street parking space.

Additionally, approximately 11% of New Yorkers are disabled – that’s one million people. For these residents, amenities like elevators, on-site parking and ground-level or drive-up units are important to ensure they can access their unit.

Lease Lengths

Desired lease lengths can vary wildly among Staten Islanders. Students away for the summer or homeowners conducting renovations may need just a few months, while other residents and businessowners may need to lease a storage unit for several years. Frequently, storage unit customers extend their lease a little longer than anticipated, such as if an apartment or office move is delayed. Flexible and month-by-month leases are desirable to provide all customers what they need, even if plans change.

Average Storage Costs in Staten Island

The average cost for self-storage in Staten Island generally ranges from $150–$400 per month, depending on size, location, and whether the unit is climate-controlled. Prices are typically higher in Todt Hill and Emerson Hill, while options on the North Shore offer more affordable rates.

For maximum cost savings, Staten Islanders can opt for lockers over traditional units. Lockers often offer about as much space as a standard small unit, but for a much more affordable price. Storage Post’s North Shore location offers mini 5x5 lockers beginning at just $9/month. For the cost of a nice cup of coffee or a few rides on the subway, Staten Island residents can secure safe, climate-controlled storage for their belongings.

Neighborhood Breakdown

Though not as bustling as its neighbors across the bay, Staten Island nonetheless reflects the rich culture New York City is known for. With its historic Italian community and Little Sri Lanka in Tompkinsville, the borough supports a diverse population, and its neighborhoods offer a mix of trendy areas, quiet residential streets and shopping hubs. Some key areas residents are searching for self-storage solutions include:

• Brighton Heights
• Clifton
• East Shore
• Egbertville
• Great Kills
• Lighthouse Hill
• New Brighton
• North Shore
• Port Richmond
• Randall Manor
• St. George
• Stapleton Heights
• Tompkinsville
• Tottenville
• West Brighton

How Storage Post Supports New Yorkers with Staten Island Storage Needs

Storage Post provides a wide array of storage solutions for residents and businesses in the Staten Island and across the five boroughs. Including its Staten Island location in North Shore, Storage Post has 15 NYC locations, as well as several more in nearby New York and New Jersey suburbs. Storage Post meets a variety of New Yorkers’ self-storage needs, offering:

• Climate-controlled units
• Parking for cars, motorcycles, and even over-sized vehicles like RVs and boats
• Units ranging from small 5x5’ lockers to extra-large 10x20’ units
• Accessibility amenities including drive-up and interior loading, elevators, on-site parking, dollies and hand carts
• Commercial accounts and shipping services
• Optional Tenant Elite Protection Plan to insure goods
• Safety features including 24-hour video recording, secure gated access and motion-activated lighting
• Readily available boxes, packing and moving supplies

Self-storage inventory in NYC surged in 2025, reflecting New Yorkers’ need for adequate space to keep their most valuable possessions. While average apartment sizes have increased slightly over the past decade, we project the high cost per square foot will continue to make self-storage units an attractive option.

Staten Island may be the “Forgotten Borough,” but we’ll never forget its essential storage needs. After all, it’s still New York – and everyone could use a little more space.

Storage Units Near Me in Staten Island

Ready to find the best self-storage unit in Staten Island for your needs? Explore our Staten Island storage locations to compare sizes, amenities and prices.