How Much Is Pod Storage Per Month: What Most People Get Wrong

You’re standing in your living room, staring at a mountain of boxes that definitely won’t fit in the new apartment until next month. Or maybe you're finally tackling that kitchen remodel and need the fridge out of the splash zone. Naturally, you think of those big steel boxes. But trying to figure out how much is pod storage per month feels a bit like trying to nail Jell-O to a wall.

The short answer? You’re likely looking at $150 to $350 per month for the container alone.

But honestly, that’s just the cover charge. If you’ve ever booked a "cheap" flight only to get hammered by baggage fees and seat selection costs, you know the drill. Portable storage has a similar "layers of the onion" pricing model.

The Size Factor: Small, Medium, or "I Own Way Too Much Stuff"

PODS (the brand) and its competitors like 1-800-PACK-RAT usually offer three main sizes. The price scales up with the metal.

• The 7-Foot or 8-Foot Cube: Think of this as the "studio apartment" or "dorm room" special. It’s perfect for about 1-2 rooms of furniture. In 2026, these are sitting around $150 to $190 a month.
• The 12-Foot Container: This is the middle child. It’s great for a two-bedroom home that isn't overly cluttered. You’ll usually pay roughly $200 to $250 for this one.
• The 16-Foot Container: The big kahuna. If you have a 3-4 bedroom house, this is your guy. Expect to shell out $250 to $350+.

Keep in mind, these are just the rent. If you live in a high-demand area like San Francisco or Brooklyn, add a "city tax" in your mind. Real estate for these containers isn't cheap, and the companies pass that cost right to you.

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Where is the Pod Sitting? (This Changes Everything)

This is the part that trips people up. You have two choices: keep the pod in your driveway or send it to a storage center.

On-site storage is usually the cheapest monthly rate. You pay for the box, it sits on your property, and you have 24/7 access to your old high school yearbooks. It’s convenient, but check your HOA rules first. Some neighborhoods have a "no metal boxes in the driveway for more than 48 hours" rule that can result in a nasty fine.

Off-site storage at a facility adds a premium. Why? Because the company has to use their real estate to house your stuff. You’re looking at an extra $50 to $100 per month on top of the base rental fee if it’s sitting in their secure warehouse.

The "Hidden" Fees That Aren't Really Hidden

If you only budget for the monthly rent, you're going to be annoyed when the first bill hits.

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1. Delivery and Pickup: These are the bookends of your rental. Expect to pay $75 to $150 just to have the empty pod dropped off, and another $75 to $150 to have it hauled away when you're done.
2. Contents Protection: Your homeowner's insurance might cover your stuff while it’s in a pod, but often it doesn't. PODS and Pack-Rat offer their own plans, usually ranging from $10 to $50 a month depending on how much "stuff" value you're protecting.
3. The Delivery Window: In 2026, fuel surcharges are a real thing. If you live 50 miles from the nearest hub, that "flat" delivery fee might get a mileage kicker.

How to Actually Save Money on Your Monthly Bill

Don't just pay the sticker price. Moving is expensive enough.

Timing matters. If you try to rent a pod in June or July, you’re competing with every college student and family in the country. Rates peak in the summer. If you can swing a winter move or renovation, you might see 10-15% lower monthly rates.

Ask about the "Initial Delivery Waiver." If you commit to three months or more of storage, many companies will waive that first $100 delivery fee. They want the recurring revenue; you want the break. It’s a fair trade.

Measure twice, rent once. People constantly overestimate how much space they need. A 16-foot pod is massive. If you can declutter and fit into a 12-footer, you're saving $1,000 over a year-long storage stint.

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The Bottom Line

So, how much is pod storage per month when it's all said and done?

For a standard 16-foot container kept at a facility with basic insurance, you should budget roughly $450 for the first month (including delivery) and then $300 for every month after.

It’s definitely pricier than a traditional "drive-it-yourself" storage unit. But you're paying for the luxury of not having to rent a U-Haul, load it, drive it, unload it into a unit, and then repeat the whole process six months later. To some, that's worth every penny. To others, it's a "no thanks."

Actionable Next Steps

Before you put down a deposit, do these three things:

1. Call your Homeowners Insurance: Ask if they cover "off-site personal property in a portable storage container." If they do, you can skip the company's protection plan and save $30 a month.
2. Check the HOA/City Ordinances: Make sure you won't get ticketed for having a pod on the street or driveway. Some cities require a $50 permit.
3. Get Three Quotes: PODS is the famous name, but U-Pack and 1-800-PACK-RAT often have aggressive price-matching. Use that to your advantage.