Shipping container rental prices range from $75 to $270 per month depending on size, your location, and how long you need it. That's a wide range — here's what drives it and how to land at the lower end.
In this guide
Monthly rental rates by container size
10ft container
~80 sq ft interior
20ft container
~160 sq ft interior
40ft container
~320 sq ft interior
Full cost breakdown — what you actually pay
The monthly rental rate is only part of the total cost. Here's what a typical 20ft container rental for 6 months actually costs, all-in.
| Cost item | Typical amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Delivery fee | $150–$600 | Charged once at start. Varies by distance from depot. |
| Monthly rental × 6 | $570–$1,050 | At $95–$175/mo for a 20ft month-to-month rate. |
| Pickup fee | $150–$500 | Charged once at end. Often same as delivery. Sometimes "free" — confirm upfront. |
| Damage deposit | $0–$200 | Not all suppliers charge one; refunded if container returned undamaged. |
| Late return fee | 1 month's rent | If you miss the notice period, most suppliers charge one full month. |
| Total (6-month rental) | $870–$2,150 | Delivery + 6 months + pickup, mid-range estimate. |
Always ask for the all-in total, not just the monthly rate
Suppliers often advertise the monthly rental rate prominently and bury the delivery and pickup fees. The all-in cost over your full rental term is the number to compare across suppliers — not the monthly rate in isolation.
What makes rental prices go up or down
Distance from a container depot
Every mile the supplier drives to deliver and pick up adds to your cost. Being within 20 miles of a major depot can save $200–$400 in delivery and pickup fees alone.
Local market competition
Port cities with multiple suppliers have lower rates due to competition. Inland markets with one or two suppliers have much less pricing pressure — rates can be 30–50% higher.
Container size
A 40ft costs roughly 35–50% more per month than a 20ft, but gives you double the space. The 20ft is better value for short-term rentals; the 40ft wins on space-per-dollar for longer terms.
Contract term length
Month-to-month rates are 15–25% higher than 12-month contract rates. If you know you need it for at least 6 months, locking in a term contract saves meaningfully over time.
Seasonal demand
Container rental demand spikes in spring and summer (moving season and construction season). Rates can be 10–20% higher from April through September compared to the winter months.
Container condition / grade
Unlike buying, rental pricing doesn't vary dramatically by container condition — suppliers rent their working inventory and you get what's available. Condition affects how the container looks, not typically the rental price.
How much more does location cost?
| Location type | 20ft monthly rate (est.) | Delivery fee (est.) | Relative cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Major port city Houston, LA, Savannah, Newark | $95–$140 | $100–$300 | Lowest |
| Regional city (100–300mi from port) Denver, Nashville, Kansas City | $120–$165 | $250–$500 | Moderate |
| Rural or inland (300+ mi from port) Remote areas, no local depot | $140–$200 | $400–$800 | Highest |
How to get a better deal on your rental
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1
Get three quotes and mention you're comparing
Container rental is a competitive market. Telling a supplier you have quotes from two other companies almost always prompts them to sharpen their pricing, especially on longer-term contracts.
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2
Commit to a term contract if you know your timeline
If you know you need the container for at least 6 months, a term contract saves 15–25% over month-to-month. On a 12-month 40ft rental, that's $200–$500 in savings.
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3
Ask whether delivery and pickup are separate line items
Some suppliers advertise "free delivery" and charge pickup; others include both. Getting both fees confirmed upfront lets you compare all-in prices across suppliers accurately.
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4
Rent in the off-season
If your need isn't time-critical, booking in October through February avoids the spring and summer price bump. Winter rental rates are consistently lower across most US markets.
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5
Consider buying if you'll need it 18+ months
Once you've paid 18–24 months of rental fees on a 20ft container, you've spent what it would have cost to buy the same container outright. If your need is long-term, buying is almost always cheaper.
Compare rental rates in your area
Shipped.com aggregates rental inventory from suppliers across the US and shows transparent all-in pricing — monthly rate, delivery, and pickup fees — by zip code. It's the fastest way to see what the market actually looks like in your area.