2026 Prices

How much does a shipping container cost in 2026?

Quick answer: a used 20ft container delivered runs about $1,400–$3,200 in most U.S. markets, a used 40ft about $2,000–$4,200, and a new one-trip 20ft about $3,000–$5,500.

20ft Standard

Used · Wind & Watertight$1,400–$3,200

Used · Cargo Worthy$2,000–$4,000

New · One-Trip$3,000–$5,500

Double the space

40ft Standard

Used · Wind & Watertight$2,000–$4,200

Used · Cargo Worthy$2,800–$4,800

New · One-Trip$4,500–$7,500

Extra headroom

40ft High Cube

Used · Wind & Watertight$2,200–$5,500

Used · Cargo Worthy$3,000–$5,500

New · One-Trip$5,000–$8,000

Typical delivered ranges, October 2026 research. Port cities run below these ranges; inland markets run above.

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The three things that set your price

1. Condition grade. Wind & Watertight (WWT) is the budget buy for dry storage. Cargo Worthy (CW) is certified structurally sound for shipping. One-trip is a nearly-new container that made a single ocean crossing.

2. Distance from a depot. Containers come from depots near ports and rail hubs. Every mile the tilt-bed truck drives is in your delivered price — which is why the same box costs less in Houston than in Denver.

3. Delivery and extras. Delivery typically adds several hundred dollars locally and more at distance. Modifications (vents, lock boxes, paint, roll-up doors) are priced per job.

Renting instead?

Typical U.S. monthly rental rates in 2026 run about $95–$200 for a 20ft and $130–$300 for a 40ft, plus delivery and pickup fees. For projects under ~6 months, renting usually wins; past about a year, a used WWT purchase usually does — a year of 20ft rent roughly equals the delivered price of buying one, and you keep the box. Compare both numbers in writing before deciding. City-by-city rental pages are linked from each city page.

Before you pay anyone: run the scam check, get the delivered price in writing, and get photos of the exact unit — not a stock photo.

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