We operate Forward Storage Memphis in the Shelby Oaks / East Memphis area, so file this honestly: we have skin in the game. But comparison-shopping customers detect spin instantly — so we’re going to be straight about where competitors win and where we win. Pick what’s right for your situation.
TL;DR: pick by your priority
| If you most care about… | Pick |
|---|---|
| Most locations in central Memphis | Public Storage (~15+ Memphis-metro locations) |
| Newest facility with the best app | Extra Space Memphis |
| East Memphis / Bartlett / Cordova convenience | Forward Storage Memphis or CubeSmart |
| FedEx employee rotation flexibility | Forward Storage (true month-to-month) |
| University of Memphis student summer storage | Forward Storage or U-Haul (cheaper short-term) |
| Cheapest sticker price | Local independents (quality varies wildly) |
The Memphis storage market
Memphis has roughly 80-100 self-storage facilities across Shelby County and the surrounding metro. Pricing varies sharply by submarket:
- Downtown / Midtown: Premium pricing ([current pricing] for 10×10 climate)
- East Memphis / Bartlett / Cordova / Germantown: Mid-market ([current pricing] for 10×10)
- South Memphis / Whitehaven: Lower-cost ([current pricing] for 10×10)
- Surrounding suburbs (Collierville, Lakeland): Mid-to-premium ([current pricing] for 10×10)
The major operators:
- Public Storage — ~15+ Memphis-metro locations, strongest central coverage
- Extra Space Storage — ~10 metro locations, newer facilities
- CubeSmart — ~8 metro locations, mid-market value
- Life Storage — ~6 metro locations (now part of Extra Space)
- U-Haul Self Storage — ~10 metro locations, especially common downtown
- Forward Storage — 1 East Memphis location (Shelby Oaks area)
- Local independents — ~40+ single-location operators
Forward Storage Memphis specifics
Address: 5724 Shelby Oaks Dr, Memphis, TN 38134
Best for: East Memphis / Bartlett / Cordova residents, FedEx World Hub employees, University of Memphis students, contractors and small businesses needing climate-controlled inventory storage.
What we offer:
- Climate-controlled and standard units
- Drive-up access for many units
- Month-to-month leases with no contracts
- [current new-customer promotion] for new customers
- 10% off the first month for military
- Direct property manager line at (901) 382-0707
Where we are: Shelby Oaks area — convenient to East Memphis, Bartlett, Cordova, the FedEx World Hub, and the I-40 corridor. Less convenient if you’re in downtown Memphis or south of the airport.
Tour Forward Storage Memphis →
Forward Storage Memphis vs Public Storage Memphis
Where Public Storage wins
- Coverage: ~15 metro locations vs. our 1. If you’re in downtown, midtown, south Memphis, or Germantown, Public Storage will likely be closer
- Brand familiarity
- Small climate-controlled selection in their multi-story facilities
Where Forward Storage Memphis wins
- Pricing on promos: Our [current new-customer promotion] + 10% military beats Public Storage’s typical promos on first-quarter cost
- True month-to-month: Public Storage’s rate increases are more aggressive than ours
- Independent operator service: Direct line to property manager vs. corporate routing
- FedEx-friendly: Our flexibility specifically suits FedEx employees on rotation between hubs
Pricing comparison
| Unit | Forward Storage Memphis | Public Storage typical Memphis |
|---|---|---|
| 5×10 climate | [current pricing] | [current pricing] |
| 10×10 climate | [current pricing] | [current pricing] |
| 10×10 standard | [current pricing] | [current pricing] |
| 10×20 standard | [current pricing] | [current pricing] |
Forward Storage Memphis vs Extra Space Memphis
Where Extra Space wins
- Coverage: ~10 metro locations vs. our 1
- Newest facilities: Their Memphis-metro properties include some of the newest, slickest in the city — better climate control monitoring, modern security, wider drive aisles
- Best-in-industry mobile app
Where Forward Storage Memphis wins
- Pricing: Extra Space premium pricing runs 15-25% higher than equivalent FS units
- East Memphis convenience: Their concentration is in midtown and surrounding suburbs; we’re convenient for the East Memphis / Bartlett / FedEx corridor
- Independent operator service
Pricing comparison
| Unit | Forward Storage Memphis | Extra Space Memphis |
|---|---|---|
| 5×10 climate | [current pricing] | [current pricing] |
| 10×10 climate | [current pricing] | [current pricing] |
| 10×10 standard | [current pricing] | [current pricing] |
Forward Storage Memphis vs CubeSmart Memphis
CubeSmart has decent Memphis coverage with mid-market pricing. They’re often the closest non-FS option for many East Memphis renters.
Where CubeSmart wins: ~8 metro locations vs. our 1; slightly newer average facility; national brand familiarity.
Where Forward Storage Memphis wins: Promotional pricing depth ([current new-customer promotion] + 10% military); independent operator service; competitive standard pricing.
On rack rates, very close. On first-quarter promotional cost, Forward Storage typically saves 15-25%.
Forward Storage Memphis vs U-Haul Self Storage
U-Haul has unique Memphis positioning: ~10 locations, often integrated with truck rental sites, popular for very short-term storage during moves.
Where U-Haul wins: Convenience if you’re already renting a U-Haul truck; very competitive for sub-30-day storage tied to a moving rental; downtown locations limited but present.
Where Forward Storage Memphis wins: Better for long-term storage (3+ months); climate control is more consistent; no truck-rental dependency.
If you’re a college student doing a one-month summer holdover, U-Haul might genuinely be cheaper. For longer storage, Forward Storage wins.
Local independents in Memphis
Memphis has 40+ local independent storage operators. Quality varies dramatically:
Pros: Sometimes meaningfully cheaper than national chains. Often family-run.
Cons: Inconsistent facility quality. Variable customer service. May lack climate control. May lock you into longer leases. Some are very old.
Recommendation: Worth shopping if you find one within 10 minutes of your home with strong recent Google reviews (>4.0 stars, 50+ reviews). Visit before signing. Verify advertised unit size with a tape measure.
Decision framework
Pick Forward Storage Memphis if:
- You live in East Memphis, Bartlett, Cordova, or near the FedEx World Hub
- You’re a FedEx employee on rotation
- You’re a University of Memphis student needing summer storage (we’re convenient to U of M off-campus housing)
- You’re military or veteran (promo stacking matters)
Pick Public Storage if:
- You’re in downtown, midtown, south Memphis, Germantown, or Collierville
- You need very specific small climate-controlled units
Pick Extra Space if:
- You want the newest, slickest facility experience
- You manage everything via mobile app
Pick CubeSmart if:
- You’re in their stronger coverage areas (parts of midtown, Germantown, Cordova)
- You want mid-market value with brand familiarity
Pick U-Haul if:
- You’re storing very short-term (under 30 days) during an active move
Pick a local independent if:
- You find one with strong recent Google reviews within 10 minutes
- Their pricing is dramatically below national chains
Honest tradeoffs
For East Memphis / Bartlett / Cordova / FedEx-area renters, Forward Storage Memphis is usually the right answer on combined factors (convenience, pricing, climate control, military-friendliness).
For midtown, downtown, south Memphis, or Germantown, we’re often a 20-30 minute drive vs. closer options. The drive is worth it only if our specific advantages matter to you.
For students at U of M, comparison-shop. We’re convenient but so is U-Haul; depending on summer specials and unit availability, either can win.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Forward Storage Memphis exactly?
5724 Shelby Oaks Dr, Memphis, TN 38134 — Shelby Oaks area. Convenient to East Memphis, Bartlett, Cordova, the FedEx World Hub, and the I-40 corridor.
How does Memphis storage pricing compare to other cities?
Memphis is mid-market — significantly cheaper than coastal metros (LA, NYC, Boston) and comparable to other Southern mid-sized markets (Birmingham, Little Rock, Jackson MS).
Is climate-controlled storage essential in Memphis?
For wood furniture, leather, books, electronics, photos, and instruments — yes. Memphis humidity (70%+ year-round) and summer heat (95°F+) is hard on these materials over 90+ days.
How much does a 10×10 unit cost in Memphis?
Standard [current pricing], climate-controlled [current pricing] depending on operator. Our Forward Storage Memphis falls in the lower end of mid-market.
What about reviews? How does Forward Storage Memphis rate?
Public Storage averages ~3.5 stars across Memphis. CubeSmart ~3.8. Extra Space ~4.0. Local independents vary 2.0-4.8. We aim to rate competitive with the best major chains; check recent Google reviews specifically.
Ready to compare locations?
Forward Storage Memphis — 5724 Shelby Oaks Dr →
Or call (901) 382-0707 for our current promos.
If your closest Public Storage, CubeSmart, U-Haul, or Extra Space is much closer than us and you don’t need FedEx-rotation flexibility, consider them seriously. We’d rather you pick the right facility for your situation than rent from us inconveniently.
This guide is maintained by the Forward Storage team. Last updated: 2026-05-20.
