Top Metros for Self Storage Transactions in H1 2026
These markets attracted more than 60 percent of all sales.
Self storage transactions totaled more than $2.9 billion in the first half of 2026, according to Yardi Matrix data. The figure was above the approximately $2.1 billion deal volume of the same period in 2025. The average price per square foot climbed to $164.4, marking a 33 percent increase year-over-year. On a national level, investors completed more transactions and larger deals. The average size of deals moved from $7.7 million to more than $9.8 million.
The table below highlights the top 10 metros for self storage transactions in the first half of 2026. Together, these markets accounted for 61.1 percent of all self storage sales nationwide. Meanwhile, the same 10 metros only accounted for 24.4 percent of all transactions recorded during the same period of 2025. Overall, most metros recorded higher transaction activity, however price-per-square-foot movement was mixed compared to the first half of 2025. Here are the top 10 metros for self storage transactions through the first half of 2026.
Note that this list does take into account portfolio sales but does not consider transactions that involved self storage facilities still in the development pipeline.
1. New York City
New York City headed the list with more than $1 billion in self storage transactions completed during the first half of 2026. This marked a sharp increase from the $50 million traded during the same period last year. The metro saw a total of 15 facilities totaling more than 1.1 million square feet change hands. The average price per square foot rose to $910.1 from $727.0.
The outsized deal volume was driven by a major portfolio sale. At the beginning of the year StorageMart acquired a 15-property portfolio encompassing more than 25,000 units across Manhattan, Staten Island, Brooklyn and Queens. At the time the deal was touted as the second-largest self storage transaction in New York City history
2. New York Suburbs
Transactions across New York Suburbs totaled $158 million during the first half of the year, propelling the area to second place. Deal volume was just below the $166 million recorded during the first half of 2025. Despite the slight drop, the number of sales increased with 14 properties totaling 813,289 square feet trading. The average price per square foot dropped to $194.2 from $207.8.
Among notable transactions, Horizon Storage Group purchased Jefferson Valley Self Storage in Westchester County. Andover Lending provided acquisition financing for the 55,311-square-foot facility, which was 87 percent leased at closing.
3. Seattle
Seattle secured third place with nearly $136 million in self storage deals closed during the first half of 2026. This was a considerable uptick from the $53.5 million traded during the same period of the previous year. Across the metro eight facilities encompassing 621,348 square feet of storage space changed hands. This pushed the average price per square foot to $218.3, up from $202.4.
Notable deals included Premier Storage Investors’ $50.7 million acquisition of West Coast Self Storage in Bellevue. The 103,397-square-foot facility was 93 percent leased at the time of the transaction.
4. Philadelphia
With $100 million in self storage transactions during the first half of 2026, Philadelphia secured fourth place. Investment activity rose sharply from the single $10 million sale recorded during the first half of the prior year. In total, 13 facilities encompassing 731,949 square feet traded throughout the metro. Meanwhile, the average price per square foot slipped to $136.9, from $148.8.
Notable transactions included North Palisade Partners’ $20.6 million acquisition of the 199,656-square-foot Extra Space Storage in Philadelphia. The nine-story facility was originally a warehouse built in 1900 and converted to self storage use in 2021.
5. Boston
Boston ranked fifth with sales during the first half of the year coming to $91 million. Transaction activity broadened considerably from $51.7 million completed during the same period of 2025. All in all, seven self storages traded encompassing 586,804 square feet. The average price per square foot came to $155.1, a step down from $210.3.
Among notable transactions, Invesco purchased Trunk Space Storage totaling 229,270 square feet in Medford, Mass., for $30.4 million. The facility was originally built in 1925 as an industrial building and converted to its current use in 1979.
6. Richmond
Richmond came in sixth with sales amounting to $78 million during the first half of 2026. Transaction activity was significantly higher than the roughly $20 million closed during the same time frame last year. Overall, nine facilities changed hands totaling 634,836 square feet. The average price per square foot rose to $122.2, well above $69.2.
Notable transactions included Public Storage snapping up two MyStorage branded properties in close succession. The REIT paid $14.6 million for the 110,174-square-foot facility in Chesapeake, Va., and $14.1 million for the 99,151-square-foot facility in Suffolk, Va.
7. Atlanta
Investment held steady in Atlanta with sales closed during the first half of 2026 coming to more than $64 million. This was largely unchanged from the $63.7 million recorded during the same period of the previous year. Six facilities totaling 405,445 square feet changed hands. The average price per square foot increased to $158.0 from $132.0.
Among notable transactions Coro Realty Advisors purchased Space Shop Self Storage encompassing 112,719 square feet in Marietta, Ga. First Carolina Bank funded the acquisition with a $22 million loan.
8. Denver
With $55 million in self storage sales closed during the first half of the year Denver came in eighth place. The transaction volume was more than double the $24.2 million recorded during the same period of 2025. All in all, seven properties totaling 600,183 square feet traded. Despite the higher volume, the average price per square foot dropped to $92.0, well below $126.2.
Notable transactions included Andover Properties paying a total of $24.5 million for a two-property portfolio. The transaction involved an 82,686-square-foot self storage in Lakewood, Colo., and a 77,477-square-foot facility in Denver.
9. Chicago
Chicago recorded $55 million in self storage transactions closed during the first half of 2026. This was a considerable uptick from the $37.1 million traded during the same period of the previous year. Overall, the metro saw six facilities totaling 450,320 square feet changed hands. The average price per square foot increased to $121.9, from $98.0.
Notable transactions included Mini Mall Storage’s $22.9 million acquisition of a 200,144-square-foot facility. Built in 2012, the four-story self storage also includes RV & Boat storage space.
10. Sarasota-Cape Coral
Sarasota-Cape Coral rounded out the top 10 with self storage sales totaling approximately $54 million during the first half of the year. Investment activity was substantially higher than the $26.7 million recorded during the same period in 2025. All in all, nine self storages encompassing 493,463 square feet traded. The average price per square foot decreased to $105.6 from $140.4.
Notable transactions included Arcland’s $11.6 million acquisition of a self storage facility totaling 130,399 square feet in Fort Myers, Fla. The 1997-built property last traded in 2007 for nearly the same amount, $11.7 million.
