Self-Storage Has The Highest Returns in The Property Sector

Self-Storage is Number One for Returns of Any Real Estate Asset Class for 30 Years.

Source: Nareit, Annual Returns by Property Sector and Subsector: 1994-2024

The self-storage industry is one of the fastest-growing sectors of the U.S. commercial real estate industry. According to Nareit, the self-storage industry produced higher returns than any other asset class in the property sector over the last 30 years. This is remarkable since the self-storage sector has a market cap of 5%, as of 2024. People often rent storage during times of transition, whether they’re moving, remodeling, downsizing, or starting a business. The self-storage industry remains strong during economic downturns and times like the Covid-19 pandemic. Per Mordor Intelligence, the United States self-storage market generated $45.41 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach $57.53 billion by 2030, advancing at a 4.85% CAGR. Flex warehouse and industrial outdoor storage are subcategories of industrial space, and the industrial sector was the second-fastest growing sectors of the U.S. commercial real estate industry.

Source: 2025 Global REIT Approach to Real Estate Investing by Nareit.