Back-to-school move: why students are turning to storage units

Between July 15 and September 15, nearly 40% of moves carried out each year in France take place. A back-to-school period that particularly affects students, faced with rising rents and ever smaller accommodation. As a result, more and more of them are turning to the storage unit to make their belongings fit into a now tiny studio.

An average housing budget of €719 per month, up 3.7% year-on-year: these are the latest figures for the 2026 student season. An amount that climbs quickly when looking at major metropolitan areas, and that pushes some young tenants to reconsider their space choices.

Rents rising, living spaces shrinking

According to the latest sector surveys, a studio now costs an average of €583 per month for 24 m², a 4.3% increase in one year. Regional differences remain considerable: you have to count on €636 in the provinces, versus €899 in Île-de-France and up to €962 for an apartment within Paris city limits. A 14 m² room is listed at €485.

Demand is increasingly concentrated in the same tight areas: Île-de-France now captures 32% of national student demand, compared with 28% a year earlier, and Paris alone accounts for 20% of housing searches, far ahead of Lyon (6.8%), Montpellier (5.2%), Toulouse (5%) or Lille (3.1%). Mechanically, available living spaces are shrinking: in the capital, one in three inhabitants already lives in an apartment of less than 40 m².

The storage unit, the new stage of moving

Faced with this lack of space, self-storage imposes itself as an almost natural solution. The number of storage boxes increased 2.5-fold between 2020 and 2022 in France, and an Ifop study indicates that one in five French people has already used this type of service. Entry prices remain affordable: some operators offer plans from €13.50 per month for the smallest volumes, with boxes that can exceed 180 m² for the largest needs.

This success benefits an entire sector, largely organized around franchise networks, which continues to attract new entrepreneurs seduced by demand seen as durable rather than cyclical. For families preparing a child’s move at the start of the school year, a visit to the site’s real estate section allows comparison of available housing solutions before booking a storage unit.

• Booking your mover at least six weeks in advance can save about 30% compared with a last-minute booking
• The storage unit makes it possible to declutter a studio without getting rid of still-useful items (bike, suitcases, occasional furniture)
• Boxes are accessible year-round, an advantage for students who return to their parents’ home in the summer

Plan ahead rather than suffer

Moving professionals repeat it every year: it’s better to plan ahead than to book in a hurry. A booking made two months before the start of the term remains the best guarantee of getting a slot at the right price, while demand explodes throughout the summer period. Combined with a storage box reserved in advance, this habit allows approaching the start of the year without unpleasant surprises, even in a 24 m² studio. For more organizational tips before a move, the site’s tips & tricks section gathers several practical pieces of advice.

That said, this housing pressure, combined with the rise of self-storage, outlines a new way of living in the city: smaller, more modular, with belongings that travel between the home and the box according to the seasons. A signal also for parents, who can consult the school & training section to calmly prepare their children’s installation.

Frequently asked questions

Why are students increasingly using storage units?

Studios available for rent are increasingly small and expensive, particularly in Île-de-France. The storage unit makes it possible to temporarily store bulky items without having to part with them.

When should you book your move for the start of term?

Ideally at least two months in advance: the period from July 15 to September 15 concentrates 40% of moves in France, which drives prices up as the start of the term approaches.

How much does a self-storage box cost for a student?

Prices start at around €13.50 per month for the smallest formats, with much larger options available depending on the volume to be stored.

Sources

• Koliving — Budget logement étudiant, rentrée 2026
• Actual Immo — Self-stockage à Paris
• Les Échos de la Franchise — Le marché du garde-meuble