Best Self Storage Units in Chicago, Illinois of 2023
In order to pick the top 20 storage units companies in Chicago, we looked at all 166 facilities in the area, including an in-depth review of each company’s amenities, features, and customer reviews.
Our Picks
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Clutter Moving and Storage Featured -
901MLK Storage
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A Best Self Storage
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A Plus Chicago Movers
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Aaron Bros. Moving System Inc.
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American Self Storage LLC
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Ashland Cold Storage
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Chicago Northside Storage
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East Bank Storage
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Foster-Ravenswood Self Storage
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Glen Ellyn Storage Corporation
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Golan's Moving & Storage
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Honore Storage
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Infinite Self Storage
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Midway Storage
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Pickens-Kane
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River North Storage
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Store Your Things
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The Lock Up Self Storage
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W.F. Halls Self Storage
Our Selection Criteria
Our goal is to connect people with the best local storage facilities. We analyzed every single storage facility in the area and rated them based on 30 different variables and picked the best storage unit facilities in the Chicago area.
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166Facilities Reviewed
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53Facilities Curated
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20Top Picks
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1. Customer Service
A record of outstanding customer reviews and service.
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2. Amenities
Offers the most important features popular with customers.
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3. Location
Multiple nearby facilities for maximum convenience.
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4. Professionalism
A reputation of honest and reliable business practices.
The 20 Best Self Storage Facilities in Chicago
Clutter Moving and Storage Featured
Chicago, ILClutter, the exclusive storage and moving partner of the Netflix hit show Instant Dream Home, serves residential clients in Chicago. It operates a two million-square-foot warehouse protected with 24/7 security where clients can store their household valuables. The company, which owns a fleet of over 200 trucks, also helps homeowners who are moving to their new residence with their transportation and packing requirements. Since opening its doors to the community, Clutter has served more than 52,000 clients and stored over 3.4 million items.
901MLK Storage
901 Martin Luther King Jr Dr. North Chicago, IL 60064901MLK Storage specifically provides vehicle storage solutions and has units that accommodate motorcycles, boats, RVs, semis, and construction equipment. Rates for all vehicle types differ and are dependent on whether the storage space is heated or unheated, and indoors or outdoors. The company also offers a flat rate of $60 per month for parking for active duty United States Navy personnel, and the facility is conveniently located within walking distance of Naval Station Great Lakes.
A Best Self Storage
2333 Wisconsin Ave Suite 1001-9999, Downers Grove, IL 60515A Best Self Storage has vehicle and palettized warehouse storage solutions for both business and residential customers. Business clients can utilize the company’s packing and shipping services. U-Haul rentals, as well as boxes and other packing supplies, are available on-site. The storage facility is climate-controlled and lease terms are flexible.
A Plus Chicago Movers
67 W Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60654With over 50 years of experience, A Plus Chicago Movers provides a full-service moving and storage experience. In addition to storage, it offers residential, business, long-distance, international, and student moving services. For customers that only need storage services, both palletized and container storage is available in the climate-controlled, state-of-the-art warehouse facility that is secured by video surveillance and keypad entry. Vault storage is also available for businesses, and boxes and other packing supplies may be purchased on-site.
Aaron Bros. Moving System Inc.
With a four locations serving the Chicago area, Aaron Brothers Moving System offers a full range of moving and storage options for businesses and individuals. The South Shore and 83rd & Halsted locations feature units between 5x5 and 10x20, Aaron Bros. units are sized between 4x7 to 8x10, and the Hyde Park location offers small units between 5x5 and 5x12. All locations feature gated, fireproof construction and on-site management. Moving services are available at all locations, but is conducted through Aaron Bros. Moving System and limited to the Chicago area. Services include packing and moving of items such as pianos and antiques, loading and unloading as well as a separate packing service that may be purchased independent of movinging services.
American Self Storage LLC
5509 S Oakley Ave, Chicago, IL 60636American Self Storage provides climate-controlled and non-climate controlled units to both residential and business customers and prides itself on having some of the lowest rates in the city. The facility is fenced and secured with gate access and monitored with 24-hour video surveillance. Boxes and other packing supplies are available for purchase at the facility, where customers may also rent a U-Haul. For those that would rather have their storage options closer to home or work, American Self Storage offers U-Box portable pods that customers can set up anywhere they please.
Ashland Cold Storage
1556 W 43rd St, Chicago, IL 60609Ashland Cold Storage provides climate-controlled, palettized warehousing options for Chicago area food and beverage distributors. Its services include storage, blast freezing, tempering, packing, and labeling. Additionally, the group offers logistics solutions and shipping services including local, domestic and international freight. The company is USDA licensed for import and export and can perform inspections and unloading for certain types of shipments. It can also provide inspection documentation, and bills of lading for international shipments. Warehouse access is 24-hours and the premises are continuously monitored with CCTV and private security.
Chicago Northside Storage
2946 N Western Ave, Chicago, IL 60618Chicago Northside Storage has been in business for about 10 years and has three facilities in the metro Chicago area that offer business, residential, and wine storage solutions. Additionally, the company offers several amenities including drive-up access for ground floor units and elevators for higher floors, and on-site staff assistance 7 days a week. Customers can also take advantage of the free moving van to transport their items to the facility. Leases are month-to-month with no security deposit required. All properties are secured with video surveillance, fencing, and gated access with keycodes.
East Bank Storage
In addition to climate-controlled self-storage units, East Bank Storage offers mailbox rental, secure document destruction, and artist studios and office space rentals. Leases are month to month and there are no security deposits or admin fees required. Through a partner company, the company offers free pickup and delivery to and from its storage facility. For artists and entrepreneurs renting space, the facilities offer free internet, a gallery, and various event rooms.
Foster-Ravenswood Self Storage
1800 W Foster Ave, Chicago, IL 60640Foster-Ravenswood Self Storage offers non-climate controlled storage units at some of the lowest prices in the area, many with discounted pricing and $1 first month's rent. Storage units start at 4’x9’ and go as large as the 16’x28’ outdoor units. The property is fenced and secured with gated keypad access and 24-hour video surveillance. Staff is available to help customers between the hours of 9:30 am and 7 pm, which is also the facility access hours.
Glen Ellyn Storage Corporation
5410 W Roosevelt Rd Chicago, IL 60644In operation since 1933, Glen Ellyn Storage is a part of the Mayflower group offering full-service moving and storage solutions for corporate and residential customers, both domestically and internationally. There are two storage options, warehouse palettized or Go Mini portable pods that a customer can place wherever they like. For domestic residential or business customers, full-service movers are available to pack, load, unload, and clear debris at the end of the move. International moves are coordinated through GESC Global, the company’s international division, and includes door-to-door service for all customers from one continent to the next.
Golan's Moving & Storage
3600 Jarvis Ave, Skokie, IL 60076Since 1990 Golan’s Moving & Storage has provided storage and local, long-distance, and international moving services to residents of the Chicago area. The company has two dedicated teams that focus on residential or commercial customers, even offering niche moving services such as piano and antique transport. It also offers a concierge service that includes planning, packing, and labeling items pre-move, furniture reassembly and placement, and debris removal at the end of the move.
Honore Storage
5147 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60640Located in the heart of the Andersonville business district, Honore Storage offers multiple storage and mailbox solutions at its climate controlled facility. All units are indoors with sizes that start at 5x5 and go up to 20x10, prices range from $35 per month to $250 per month, and most units come with free first month’s rent. Access hours for storage units are the same as office hours and are between the hours of 9:30am and 6:30pm Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm on Saturdays and, 10am to 4pm on Sundays. Mailbox rentals come in two sizes, a small size capable of holding letters and other paper mail, and a large size for packages which the facility accepts from all carriers. Access hours for mailboxes is 24-hours a day. Although leases are month to month, a $25 admin fee is required, as is insurance which may be purchased on-site. Security features include 24-hour video surveillance and staff monitoring during business hours.
Infinite Self Storage
434 E Sauk Trail, South Chicago Heights, IL 60411Infinite Self Storage provides both climate-controlled and non-climate controlled units, many with drive up access, at their South Chicago facility. The facility has 24-hour access, gated keypad entry, 24-hour surveillance camera monitoring, and floodlights around its perimeter. In addition to residential storage, Infinite also offers storage solutions for vehicles such as RVs and motorcycles. Unit sizes start at 5’x10’ and go up to 10’x30’, and some customization of units may be possible.
Midway Storage
5660 W 55th St Chicago, IL 60638Midway Storage offers residential storage solutions at their two-story Chicago location. Storage units on the ground level offer drive-up access, while upper-level units are accessed by a freight elevator. All units are climate-controlled and sizes range from 5’x5’ to 8’x30’. Prices start at $49 per month and new customers are eligible for a free first month. The facility is secured with fencing, gated access, and individually alarmed units. U-Haul truck rentals are available on-site, as are boxes, bubble wrap, and other packing supplies.
Pickens-Kane
410 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60610Pickens-Kane specializes in long-distance and international moves, as well as storage for both residential and business clients in its climate-controlled Chicago warehouse. The concierge moving service includes packing and moving of furniture, antiques, and fine art, along with reassembly and placement of items. Its storage services include private online inventory management and barcoding of inventory items for business customers. The residential storage option is customized for each customer, and the company will pick up items from the home. The property is fenced, gated and monitored by cameras 24-hours a day.
River North Storage
1722 W Carroll Ave, Chicago, IL 60612Established in Chicago in 1941, River North Storage is a family-owned business that provides storage and moving services. The company offers customizable, palletized warehouse storage for both residential and business customers in a climate-controlled setting. It also has boat, RV, and automobile storage spaces available. Although its moving expertise is the transportation of heavy machinery, art, and antiques, the group does provide other moving services including moves for residences and businesses. The facility is secured by 24-hour surveillance video and an alarm system.
Store Your Things
2325 N Clark St Suite 200, Chicago, IL 60614Located in the Heart of Lincoln Park, Store Your Things has a host of storage solutions for both residential and business customers. It offers a moving and packing service, records storage, equipment storage, and vehicle storage. All units are climate-controlled, and packing supplies may be purchased on-site. When customers are ready to remove their items from their storage unit, Store Your Things offers a delivery service to return customers’ belongings. The facility is secured by video monitoring.
The Lock Up Self Storage
Since 1976, The Lock Up Self Storage has offered customers some of the most competitive pricing in business, wine, and residential storage. With every new lease customers are offered the use of a free moving van as well as various discounts associated with the length of their rental. All units are climate-controlled, and moving supplies are available for purchase on-site. Wine storage facilities are housed in a unit with a separate entrance, open to collectors or business entities. All seven Chicago area facilities are secured with keypad entries and are monitored by 24-hour video surveillance.
W.F. Halls Self Storage
W.F. Halls Self Storage has two full-service storage facilities with units ranging in size from 5’x5’ to 12’x30. Both climate-controlled and non-climate controlled units are available. Most units have drive-up access, and freight elevators are available for those that do not. Individual units are alarmed, and the properties are secured with fencing, gated entry, surveillance video, and flood lighting. The company prides themselves on having some of the most competitive pricing in Chicago and as such offers many discounts including six months of rental service for the price of four when prepaid.
The Cost of Self Storage in Chicago, IL
The cost of storage units varies widely depending on several factors, including the size of the storage unit, the region’s cost of living and the demand versus the availability for storage solutions in that particular city. Additionally, in cities with a high percentage of renters, such as college towns, the demand for short-term storage solutions tends to be greater, which may drive up the cost of renting units.
In Chicago, property values are on par with the national average and are considerably higher than in the average Illinois city. Less than half of the city’s housing units are occupied by their owners, indicating a large renting population. In addition to this, the city is home to several colleges and universities. These factors result in storage costs that are higher than state and national averages. Here, renters can expect to pay between $40 and $193 per month on average for a storage unit, depending on the size of the unit and the features it offers.
| Average cost of storage units in Chicago, IL compared to state and national averages | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Size of Storage Unit | City Average | State Average | National Average |
| 5×5 | $41 | $36 | $41 |
| 5×10 | $66 | $54 | $59 |
| 10×10 | $100 | $89 | $95 |
| 10×15 | $144 | $117 | $113 |
| 10×20 | $194 | $130 | $133 |
What to Consider when Looking for Storage in Chicago, IL
In Chicago, storage units generally vary in size between 5×5 to 10×20, and choosing the right-sized unit is important for properly storing items without overpaying. In addition to the unit’s size, other important factors to consider include whether the items are likely to harbor mold or mildew if not stored in a climate-controlled unit and the value of the items that are being stored.
Chicago is prone to extreme temperatures, with hot, humid summers and cold, dry winters. For this reason, for those who are storing wood or upholstered furniture, a storage unit with heating and air conditioning is essential for maintaining the beauty and integrity of the furniture. Additionally, the city has a relatively high property crime rate compared to the rest of the state and nation as a whole, making it important to find a storage unit with sufficient security measures in place, particularly if items of high value are being kept there.
Helpful Tips for Moving to Chicago, IL
Chicago, which is also dubbed “The Windy City,” is most widely recognized for its world-class museums, its renowned deep-dish pizza and its endless shops, galleries and flea markets. It’s made up of nearly 80 neighborhoods, including the beautiful Lakeview neighborhood, situated on Lake Michigan, and the Old Town historic district, with homes that date back to the 1870s. While the average one-way commute here is about 35 minutes, nearly 10 minutes longer than the average U.S. commute, the city has a reliable mass transit system and easy access to major roadways to give workers plenty of travel options.