Every April and May, thousands of students at University of Calgary and University of Alberta face the same problem: where do you put your stuff when your lease ends and you are heading home for the summer?
Shipping furniture back and forth is expensive. Selling everything and rebuying in September is wasteful. A storage unit for 4 months solves the problem, and it is cheaper than you probably think.
What a student sized unit costs
Most students need a 5x5 or a 5x10. We hold published rates for 22 of the 67 facilities we list in Calgary and 13 of 58 in Edmonton, which is too thin to quote a rate for either city by unit size. These are the Canadian medians, which rest on enough separate facilities to be worth something.
| Unit size | What it holds | Median across Canada | Sample |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5x5 | A desk, a chair and five to eight boxes | CA$89 | 92 units at 64 facilities |
| 5x10 | A full dorm room or a small bedroom | CA$115 | 130 units at 101 facilities |
| 10x10 | Two or three students sharing | CA$184 | 164 units at 120 facilities |
Alberta rates sit below the Canadian median in our data more often than above it, but with 69 priced facilities across the whole province we are not going to put a number on the difference.
Sharing a 10x10 is the cheapest route. Three students splitting one at the Canadian median of CA$184 pay about CA$61 each, against CA$89 each for individual 5x5 lockers, and you get more usable space than three separate cupboards.
Storage Near University of Calgary
U of C is in the NW, so facilities in the University District, Brentwood, and Varsity are closest. Options further out in the NE or along Barlow Trail are cheaper but require a car or ride to access.
Closest neighbourhoods:
- University District and Brentwood (5 to 10 minute drive)
- Varsity and Silver Springs (10 to 15 minute drive)
- NE Calgary along 32nd Ave (15 to 20 minute drive, budget friendly)
Browse all Calgary storage facilities to compare rates near campus.
Storage Near University of Alberta
U of A is centrally located in Edmonton, so you have options in all directions. The south side (Strathcona, Bonnie Doon) tends to have more facilities within a short drive. Going further to St. Albert or Sherwood Park drops prices by 15 to 25 percent.
Closest neighbourhoods:
- Strathcona and Old Strathcona (5 to 10 minute drive)
- Bonnie Doon and Mill Woods (10 to 15 minute drive)
- South Edmonton industrial area (15 minute drive, best value)
- St. Albert (20 minutes north, 6 facilities, lower prices)
Browse all Edmonton storage facilities to find options near campus.
When to Book Summer Storage
April is the sweet spot. Here is why:
- March: Facilities start advertising student specials. Some offer first month free or flat summer rates.
- April: Best selection. You can reserve a unit before the May rush.
- May: Peak demand. Facilities near campus fill up. Prices are firm and promotions dry up.
- Late August: Facilities near campus fill up again as students return and need temporary storage before their new lease starts.
Book in April. Do not wait until exam season when you are stressed and options are limited.
What to Store (and What Not To)
Store these:
- Desk, chair, bookshelf
- Mattress (in a mattress bag to prevent dust and moisture)
- Winter clothing and coats
- Kitchen supplies (pots, pans, dishes)
- Textbooks you plan to keep
- Bikes (drain the tires slightly to prevent flat spots)
- Small appliances (microwave, fan, lamp)
Do not store these:
- Perishable food (attracts rodents and insects)
- Anything with a battery that cannot be disconnected (fire risk)
- Important documents you may need over summer (keep those with you)
- Valuables worth more than what basic insurance covers
Tips to Save Money
- Split a larger unit. A 10x10 split three ways is almost always cheaper than three individual 5x5 units.
- Ask about student rates. Some facilities offer 10 to 15 percent student discounts. Bring your student ID.
- Look for first month free. This effectively reduces a 4 month summer rental by 25 percent.
- Go slightly further from campus. Facilities 15 to 20 minutes away can be 30 percent cheaper than those walking distance from campus.
- Use vertical space. Stack boxes and store furniture vertically to fit into a smaller (cheaper) unit. Mattresses can stand on their side.
- Skip climate control for summer. Alberta summers rarely get extreme enough to damage most items. Save the climate control premium for winter rentals.
Moving Your Stuff
Most students do not have a truck. Options:
- Rent a cargo van. Home Depot, U Haul, and Enterprise rent cargo vans for $20 to $40 per day. Split the cost with roommates who are also storing.
- Borrow a friend's truck. The classic Alberta solution. Buy them lunch.
- Hire student movers. Facebook marketplace and university job boards have students with trucks who will move your stuff for $50 to $100.
One trip with a cargo van is usually enough for 2 to 3 students worth of belongings going into a single 10x10 unit.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does student storage cost in Calgary for the summer?
Summer storage for students in Calgary costs $30 to $90 per month for a 5x5 or 5x10 unit. A 4 month summer rental (May through August) runs $120 to $360 total. Splitting a 10x10 with two roommates brings the per person cost down to $35 to $50 per month.
Do storage facilities near University of Calgary offer student discounts?
Some facilities near U of C offer 10 to 15 percent student discounts or summer specials with first month free. These promotions are most common in March and April before peak season. Always ask and bring your student ID.
What size storage unit does a student need?
Most students need a 5x5 (25 sq ft) for a desk, chair, and several boxes, or a 5x10 (50 sq ft) for a full dorm room including a mattress and small furniture. If splitting with roommates, a 10x10 (100 sq ft) comfortably fits 2 to 3 students worth of belongings.
