Why Self-Storage Beats Renting a Bigger Place in South Dakota

Your apartment is bursting. Your garage is a disaster. The instinct is to rent a bigger place — more bedrooms, bigger garage, maybe a basement. But before you sign a new lease, do the math. A self-storage unit is almost always cheaper, more flexible, and smarter. Here’s why.

The Math Doesn’t Lie

Let’s look at real numbers for southeast South Dakota.

The average rent difference between a 1-bedroom and a 2-bedroom apartment in small-town SD is roughly $150-300/month. Moving from a 2-bedroom to a 3-bedroom? Add another $200-400/month.

A storage unit at Lock N’ Leave It Storage: - 5x10: $35-55/month - 10x10: $55-85/month - 10x15: $75-110/month

So for the cost difference between a 1-bedroom and a 2-bedroom apartment, you could rent a 10x10 storage unit AND still pocket $65-215 every month. Over a year, that’s $780-$2,580 in savings.

And that’s before factoring in the higher security deposits, increased utility costs, and renter’s insurance adjustments that come with a bigger place.

You Don’t Need More Living Space — You Need More Storage Space

Think about what’s actually crowding your home. Is it furniture you use daily? Probably not. It’s:

• Seasonal gear you use 2-3 months per year
• Holiday decorations that come out once a year
• Hunting and fishing equipment between seasons
• Extra furniture you’re keeping “just in case”
• Boxes from your last move that you still haven’t unpacked
• Hobby supplies and collections
• Household overflow — the stuff that doesn’t have a “home”

None of that needs to be in your living space. It needs a dedicated storage space. That’s what a storage unit is for — freeing up your home to be a home, not a warehouse.

Flexibility You Don’t Get With a Lease

When you upgrade to a bigger apartment or house, you’re typically locked into a 12-month lease. If your situation changes — new job, relationship change, financial shift — you’re stuck or paying an early termination fee.

Storage units offer month-to-month flexibility. Need more space temporarily during a home renovation? Rent a unit for three months and cancel when you’re done. Accumulated too much seasonal stuff? Upgrade to a bigger unit. Cleared things out? Downsize or cancel entirely.

No lease penalties. No moving trucks. No updating your address.

The “Bigger Place” Trap

Here’s what actually happens when people move to a bigger place: they fill it. It’s called the Diderot Effect — once you have more space, you acquire more stuff to fill it. Six months after upgrading to a 3-bedroom, you’re right back where you started, wondering where all the space went.

A storage unit breaks this cycle. Your living space stays right-sized, and your overflow has its own dedicated, organized space where it doesn’t creep back into your daily life.

When Bigger Actually Makes Sense

To be fair, sometimes upgrading is the right call:

• Growing family — a new baby genuinely needs more living space
• Working from home permanently — you need a dedicated office, not just a desk in the corner
• Accessibility needs — physical limitations that require more room
• You’re buying, not renting — building equity changes the math entirely

But if the only reason you’re considering a bigger place is “I need somewhere to put my stuff,” a storage unit is the answer 90% of the time.

Storage Units for Specific Situations

Couples Moving In Together

Two households combining into one means duplicate furniture, double the kitchen gear, and not enough closet space. Instead of renting a huge apartment to accommodate everything, move the extras into storage. Over time, sell or donate what you don’t need. A 5x10 or 10x10 unit handles the overflow easily.

Seasonal Workers and Travelers

Southeast South Dakota has seasonal ag workers, snowbirds heading south, and people who travel for work. Why pay for a bigger apartment that sits empty for months? Keep a small, affordable apartment and store your off-season belongings.

Students

College students near Yankton or Mount Marty don’t need a bigger dorm or apartment. They need a small storage unit for summer.

Small Business Owners

Running a small business from home? Inventory and supplies eating your living space? A storage unit keeps your business stock separate from your personal life — and it’s a deductible business expense.

The Real Cost of a Bigger Place

Beyond just rent, upgrading means:

• Higher utilities — more square footage to heat and cool (and heating costs in South Dakota are no joke)
• Higher security deposit — often $200-500 more
• Moving costs — truck rental, time off work, pizza and beer for friends who help
• More furniture needed — an empty room “needs” to be furnished
• Higher renter’s insurance — more space, more coverage, higher premium
• Lawn care and snow removal — if upgrading to a house, add this cost and time

Compare that to a storage unit that costs $55/month with zero additional expenses.

A Practical Example

Sarah in Springfield lives in a 2-bedroom apartment. Her second bedroom has become a storage room — camping gear, holiday bins, hunting equipment, a treadmill she uses in winter, and boxes of teaching supplies for summer.

She’s thinking about renting a 3-bedroom house for $250/month more.

Instead, she rents a 10x10 storage unit for $65/month. She moves the seasonal gear, holiday bins, and supplies to the unit. Her second bedroom becomes a usable guest room and home office.

Savings: $185/month = $2,220/year. Plus she didn’t have to move, change her address, or sign a new lease.

Making Storage Work Like Extra Rooms

Think of your storage unit as an extension of your home:

• Seasonal closet — rotate winter and summer wardrobes
• Holiday room — all decorations and supplies organized and accessible
• Sports locker — all your gear in one place
• Workshop — tools and project materials (check with facility about workspace rules)
• Business warehouse — inventory, supplies, files

The key is good organization and regular rotation. Visit your unit seasonally to swap items and keep everything maintained.

The Bottom Line

More space at home feels like the solution. Usually, it’s the expensive solution. A self-storage unit gives you the space you need at a fraction of the cost, with flexibility a lease can’t match.

Lock N’ Leave It Storage in Tyndall, Springfield, and Freeman offers month-to-month rentals with no long-term commitment. Units start small and scale up as your needs change. Check out our sizes or contact us to find the right unit. Your wallet will thank you.