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Renting a shipping container makes sense for a few months of storage on a jobsite, during a move or a renovation. This guide shows typical US rental prices for 10ft, 20ft and 40ft containers in 2026, the fees that come on top, what to check in a rental agreement, and the point at which buying a container costs less than renting one.
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If you need a container for longer than about a year, buying is usually cheaper than renting. These are current depot starting prices for the sizes renters ask about most. Vetted local suppliers quote delivery to your ZIP code.
Depot prices updated October 2026Compact and easy to place in tight spaces. Ideal for tools, garden gear and small business storage.
Structurally sound, wind and watertight and fit for shipping. A safe all round choice for storage and job sites.
Twice the floor space of a 20ft at a lower price per square foot. Great for business stock and farm storage.
Extra foot of height for racking and bulky goods, at used container prices.
Starting prices at the depot, based on current inventory at major US container depots. Delivery, sales tax and local fees are extra and depend on your ZIP code. Your supplier confirms the final price in your quote.
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Monthly rates for standard dry containers in the US typically fall in these ranges in 2026:
| Container | Typical monthly rent | Common uses |
|---|---|---|
| 10ft | about $75 to $130 | Home storage, small jobsites, tight spaces |
| 20ft | about $95 to $200 | Moves, renovations, jobsite tools and materials |
| 40ft | about $130 to $300 | Larger jobsites, inventory, farm storage |
| 20ft refrigerated | about $300 to $600 or more | Cold storage, events, food businesses |
| Office container | about $200 to $500 | Site office with power, lighting and a door |
Month-to-month rates are usually 15 to 25 percent higher than the monthly rate on a 12-month contract. Port cities tend to be cheaper than rural and inland areas, where the container has to travel further. The ranges are based on rental rates published by US providers in 2026.
Delivery prices by distance and the extra fees for difficult sites are explained in our guide to shipping container transport cost.
Renting avoids a large upfront payment, and the provider takes the container away when you are done. Buying costs more on day one, but the monthly payments stop and the container keeps a resale value.
An example for a 20ft container: a used cargo worthy 20ft starts at about $1,045 at the depot, and with local delivery many buyers pay about $1,650 to $2,400 in total. Renting the same size at $150 a month, plus delivery and pickup of about $300 each, adds up like this:
| Period | Renting a 20ft | Buying a used 20ft |
|---|---|---|
| 3 months | about $1,050 | about $1,650 to $2,400 |
| 6 months | about $1,500 | about $1,650 to $2,400 |
| 12 months | about $2,400 | about $1,650 to $2,400, and the container is yours |
| 24 months | about $4,200 | about $1,650 to $2,400, and the container is yours |
Rent for short projects and when you have no use for the container afterward. Buy if you need it for more than about a year, want to modify it or plan to keep it. Current depot prices for every size are on our shipping container prices page, and our guide to shipping container cost explains what else adds to the total.
A 20ft container is the most common rental. It holds the contents of a one or two bedroom home or the tools and materials for a renovation. A 40ft suits larger jobsites and businesses, and costs much less per square foot. On tight lots, a 10ft is often the only size that fits. Our guide to shipping container sizes compares them in detail.
Rental containers are delivered the same way as purchased ones, usually on a tilt bed truck that needs a long, straight approach and firm, level ground. Check zoning or HOA rules if the container will stand in your driveway or on the street. Our guide to shipping container delivery explains how to prepare.
shipping-containers.com is a marketplace, not a rental company. Tell us the size, how long you need it and your ZIP code. Vetted suppliers in the network quote for buying, and for renting where they offer it, so you can compare both before you decide. If you need the container for a year or more, look closely at the purchase quotes. Browse shipping containers for sale to compare grades.
Quiz
Answer a few quick questions about your project, how long you need the container and your location.
Blog
Sizes, delivery and costs explained by Andy.
How New York handles shipping container homes: the 2025 Uniform Code, NYC ancillary dwelling units, container laws in Buffalo, Sweden and Coxsackie, Adirondack Park review, septic and modular approval.
How California handles shipping container homes: the 2025 state codes, the LADBS conversion bulletin, San Diego rules, state ADU law, HCD approval for factory-built units and counties that allow containers only for storage.
How Washington handles shipping container homes: the 2021 state codes, Pierce, King and Ferndale container rules, the two-ADU state law, the energy code wall U-factor and the L&I factory-assembled program.
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FAQs
Typically about $95 to $200 a month in 2026, plus delivery and pickup. Longer contracts and port cities usually come with lower monthly rates.
Typically about $130 to $300 a month, plus delivery and pickup. A 40ft costs much less per square foot than a 20ft.
For a few months, renting is cheaper. For about a year or longer, buying usually costs less, and you can sell the container afterward.
Yes. Most providers offer month-to-month and 12-month terms, and the monthly rate usually drops on longer contracts.
On private property often not for short-term storage, but some cities and HOAs regulate containers in driveways and front yards. A container on the street usually needs a permit from the city.
Some providers offer plans that credit part of the rent toward buying the container. Ask for the terms in writing before you sign.
Tell Andy how long you need a container and what for, and get a straight answer on whether renting or buying makes more sense.
