Toronto is one of the most expensive storage markets in the Greater Toronto Area, and the gap between the core and suburban markets like Burlington is substantial. All figures below are in Canadian dollars. Here is what renters can expect to pay per month across the two GTA markets covered in this guide:
- Small units (5x5 to 5x10): about CAD $55 to $131
- Mid-size units (10x10 to 10x15): about CAD $133 to $291
- Large units (10x20): about CAD $306 to $410
These are estimates based on FindStorageFast data for Toronto and Burlington, current as of September 2026. Rates vary by neighborhood, facility type, season, and unit type. The spread is driven mostly by location within the region: a 10x10 averages about CAD $203 in Toronto and about CAD $133 in Burlington, so Toronto runs roughly 52 percent higher for the same footprint.
This guide breaks down Toronto storage unit prices size by size, compares the core against a suburban GTA market, and explains what drives rates across the region, from land scarcity and condo living to Ontario winters and the spring moving season.
Average GTA Self Storage Cost by Unit Size
The table below shows average monthly street rates in Canadian dollars for the two GTA markets covered in this guide. The low end reflects Burlington and the high end reflects Toronto.
| Unit Size |
Typical Use Case |
Avg Monthly, Burlington (CAD) |
Avg Monthly, Toronto (CAD) |
| 5x5 |
Boxes, seasonal items, small furniture, or a dorm room's contents |
$55 |
$91 |
| 5x10 |
Contents of a studio apartment or a single bedroom, including a mattress set |
$74 |
$131 |
| 10x10 |
Contents of a one- to two-bedroom apartment with furniture and appliances |
$133 |
$203 |
| 10x15 |
Contents of a two-bedroom home, including large furniture and appliances |
$211 |
$291 |
| 10x20 |
Contents of a three-bedroom home, or a vehicle where offered |
$306 |
$410 |
Sources: FindStorageFast Toronto (49 facilities, prices updated 30 September 2026) and FindStorageFast Burlington (20 facilities, prices updated 23 September 2026). Heated and climate-controlled units typically price above the ranges shown for the same footprint. Larger sizes such as 10x30 are available at some Ontario facilities, but average street rates for those sizes are not consistently published for the GTA, so they are not listed above.
Not sure which size fits? The SmartStop storage unit size guide walks through what fits in each unit.
Storage Costs by Market
Location within the GTA affects price more than any other single factor. The two markets below sit at opposite ends of that spread.
Toronto Storage Unit Prices
Toronto is the most expensive of the two markets in this guide. Land in the core is scarce and expensive, density is high, and space for new facilities is limited, which keeps rates elevated. Condo and small-unit living compounds the demand: residents with limited in-suite storage rely on off-site space for seasonal items, sports equipment, and household overflow.
Verified range: a 5x5 averages about CAD $91 per month and a 10x10 averages about CAD $203, with a 10x15 at roughly CAD $291 and a 10x20 at roughly CAD $410 across 49 tracked facilities (FindStorageFast, 30 September 2026). Climate-controlled 10x10 units average about CAD $225, roughly 11 percent above the standard rate. Rates also vary within the city: North York, Scarborough, and Etobicoke all average below the Toronto figure on a 10x10. Renters can compare SmartStop's Toronto locations by neighborhood before choosing a facility.
Burlington, Ontario Storage Unit Prices
Burlington sits at the western edge of the GTA and prices well below the core. Land is more available and less expensive than in Toronto, which keeps rates lower. For renters willing to drive, the savings against Toronto are considerable on every size.
Verified range: a 5x5 averages about CAD $55 per month and a 10x10 averages about CAD $133, with a 10x15 at roughly CAD $211 and a 10x20 at roughly CAD $306 across 20 tracked facilities (FindStorageFast, 23 September 2026). SmartStop operates four Burlington locations, two on Appleby Line plus Mainway Drive and Plains Road East, giving renters four options to compare against Toronto rates before committing.
What Drives Storage Costs in the GTA
Real Estate and Land Costs
Storage rates follow land values, and the GTA shows that relationship clearly. Toronto's core carries high land costs and limited developable infill, which supports higher base rates. Suburban markets such as Burlington have more available land and lower acquisition costs, which is the main reason the same 10x10 unit runs roughly 34 percent less there. Within Toronto itself, the pattern repeats: outlying areas including Etobicoke, Scarborough, and North York all average below the city-wide figure.
Condo and Apartment Living
The GTA's shift toward condo and apartment living has created structural storage demand. Units are smaller, in-suite storage is minimal, and building lockers are often too small for seasonal gear, sports equipment, or furniture between moves. That demand is concentrated in the neighborhoods where land is most expensive, which reinforces the price gap between the core and the suburbs.
Ontario Winters and Heated Storage
Toronto temperatures can swing from roughly minus 20 degrees Celsius in winter to plus 30 in summer, and that cycle is hard on stored belongings. Climate-controlled units hold a steadier temperature and humidity level, and heated units protect against freezing. Both help protect wood furniture from warping and cracking, help reduce moisture damage to electronics and documents, and help protect mattresses, upholstery, artwork, and instruments against mildew. In Toronto, the premium for a climate-controlled 10x10 runs about 11 percent over a standard unit (FindStorageFast, 30 September 2026).
Seasonality and Lease Turnover
Demand across the GTA peaks from April through September, driven by the spring and summer moving season and by student move-out. The University of Toronto, Toronto Metropolitan University, and York University together move a large student population out of housing between late April and late May, which concentrates demand into a narrow window. Availability is typically better and promotions more common from October through March.
Fees Beyond the Advertised Rate
The advertised monthly rate is rarely the total. Common additions include a one-time administrative or setup fee, often a required tenant insurance or protection plan, a lock purchase if you don't bring your own, and HST, which is 13 percent in Ontario. Introductory offers are also not the ongoing rate, so renters should confirm what the rate becomes once a promotion ends. Fee structures differ by operator, so it is worth asking for the full monthly cost rather than comparing advertised rates alone.
SmartStop Self Storage in Ontario
SmartStop was named a top climate-controlled storage provider in Newsweek's 2026 Readers' Choice rankings and has been recognized by Newsweek for customer service in self storage. The brand operates 41 facilities across Ontario, including 12 within the City of Toronto and four in Burlington, part of a portfolio of more than 460 locations across the United States and Canada. The Toronto locations span Dupont Street, Don Mills Road, Esandar Drive, and Jane Street, along with facilities in North York, Scarborough, Etobicoke, East York, and York, which gives renters a way to compare rates across neighborhoods rather than defaulting to the nearest option.
Ontario facilities feature video surveillance and electronic gate access, with heated and climate-controlled units available at select locations for the temperature swings that define Ontario winters. Leases are month-to-month with a 10-day move-out notice, and renters can reserve, rent, pay, and manage their account online or through the SmartStop app, which handles gate and door access (and elevator access at select locations). Reservations can be made online up to 14 days in advance, and rates and availability are published for each Ontario location so renters can compare before committing. For a national comparison, see how much a storage unit costs in 2026.
Check Current Pricing and Reserve Online
GTA storage rates move with neighbourhood, season, and unit type, so the most reliable figure is the one published for the specific facility. Check current pricing at your nearest Ontario location and reserve a unit online.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a storage unit cost in Toronto?
As of 30 September 2026, a 10x10 unit in Toronto averages about CAD $203 per month across 49 tracked facilities, with a 5x5 averaging about CAD $91 and a 10x20 about CAD $410, according to FindStorageFast. Rates vary considerably by neighbourhood and unit type, and North York, Scarborough, and Etobicoke all average below the city-wide figure.
Why is storage more expensive in Toronto than in surrounding GTA cities?
Land in Toronto's core is scarce and expensive, and limited developable infill restricts how quickly new supply can be added. High-density condo and apartment living concentrates demand in those same neighborhoods, where residents have little in-suite storage. Suburban markets such as Burlington have more available land and lower costs, which is why the same 10x10 unit averages roughly 34 percent less there.
Do I need heated storage in Ontario?
For anything you would normally keep inside your home rather than in an unheated garage, heated or climate-controlled storage is worth considering, given that Ontario temperatures can swing from roughly minus 20 to plus 30 degrees Celsius across the year. Wood furniture, mattresses and upholstery, electronics, documents and photographs, artwork, and musical instruments all benefit from a stable environment. Compare heated and standard options at SmartStop's Ontario locations.
Is HST charged on storage units in Ontario?
Yes. Storage unit rentals in Ontario are generally subject to HST, which is 13 percent. Advertised monthly rates usually do not include tax, so ask for the full monthly cost, including HST, insurance or protection plans, and any one-time fees, before comparing facilities.
What size storage unit do I need?
A 5x5 holds boxes and seasonal items, a 5x10 fits the contents of a studio or single bedroom, a 10x10 suits a one- to two-bedroom apartment, and a 10x15 or 10x20 handles a two- to three-bedroom home. The SmartStop size guide covers each size in more detail.
Sources
- FindStorageFast. "Storage Units in Toronto, ON." Prices updated 30 September 2026. https://toronto-on.findstoragefast.ca/
- FindStorageFast. "Storage Units in Burlington, ON." Prices updated 23 September 2026. https://burlington-on.findstoragefast.ca/
- Business Wire. "SmartStop Self Storage Named a Top Climate-Controlled Storage Provider by Newsweek Readers' Choice." March 2026. businesswire.com
- Business Wire. "SmartStop Self Storage Once Again Ranked Top Self Storage Customer Service 2024 by Newsweek." September 2023. businesswire.com
- SmartStop Self Storage. "Our Company." https://smartstopselfstorage.com/about-us/our-company
- SmartStop Self Storage. "Self Storage Units and Facilities in Ontario." https://smartstopselfstorage.com/find-storage/on
