The cost of a move depends on how far you’re going, how much you’re moving, and how much of the work you pay someone else to do. Local moves are usually billed by the hour for a crew and truck; long-distance and interprovincial moves are usually priced by the weight or volume of the shipment and the distance. Season matters too: summer and the end of the month are the busiest times, and prices and availability reflect that. This page covers the move itself and the costs around it. It is part of our directory of what things cost in Canada; the step-by-step planning list is in the moving checklist.
What drives the cost of the move
| Factor | Effect |
|---|---|
| Distance | Local moves by the hour; long-distance by weight or volume and kilometres |
| Volume | The number of rooms and how much furniture |
| Services | Packing, unpacking, crating, disassembly and reassembly cost extra |
| Access | Stairs, elevators, long carries and parking at either end add time |
| Timing | Peak season, weekends and month-end cost more |
| Storage | Needed if the new home isn’t ready on moving day |
| Specialty items | Pianos, safes, artwork and vehicles |
Professional movers vs doing it yourself
| Option | How it’s priced | Trade-offs |
|---|---|---|
| Full-service movers | An hourly rate (local) or a binding or non-binding estimate (long-distance) | The least work; the highest cost |
| Movers for loading only, with a rented truck or container | Labour by the hour, plus the rental | A middle option |
| Portable storage container | A container dropped off, loaded by you and shipped | Flexible timing; you do the packing and loading |
| Rental truck and friends | The rental, fuel, insurance and kilometres | The lowest cost; the most work and risk of damage or injury |
For a long-distance move, a written estimate based on an in-home or video survey, and a clear statement of how liability for damage is handled, help avoid disputes; low quotes that change on moving day are the most common complaint about movers.
The costs around the move
| Expense | Notes |
|---|---|
| Deposits at a new rental | First and last month’s rent, or a damage deposit, depending on the province |
| Temporary housing | If there is a gap between leaving one home and moving into the next |
| Mail forwarding | Canada Post charges $100.75 for 12 months of forwarding within a province and $126.25 across provinces |
| Utility and internet hookups | Connection fees at the new home |
| Cleaning | Leaving the old home in the condition the lease or sale requires |
| Travel | Fuel, flights, hotels and meals for a long-distance move |
| Closing costs | When buying the new home; see the closing cost guides |
| Driver’s licence and vehicle registration | When moving to another province |
Moving to a retirement residence is often part of downsizing; see retirement home costs.
The moving expenses deduction
If you move at least 40 kilometres closer to a new job or to a school where you study full time, you can generally deduct eligible moving costs (movers, storage, travel and temporary lodging for a limited time) against the income earned at the new location. The rules, what counts and how to claim are in the moving expenses deduction guide.
Related articles
Sources
The figures and rules on this page come from these sources, last checked against them on September 29, 2026. How we check facts.