Quick answer: HomeStars, updated August 2026, says most Canadian moving companies charge $120 to $200 an hour for a two-person crew with a truck. A local move runs $300 to $900 for a one-bedroom apartment, $600 to $1,150 for two bedrooms and $900 to $1,600 for a three-bedroom house. A full-service move across Canada typically costs $4,000 to $12,000, and about $4,800 for an average two-bedroom home. All prices are in Canadian dollars and were checked in September 2026.
Moving cost checker
Pick the move that matches yours to see the typical Canadian price range and where it comes from.
Prices change and depend on the size of the job, the property, access and location. Figures were last checked . Always get a written quote before work starts.
Request a free quoteMoving prices in Canada depend on how much you own, how far it goes and when you move. Local moves are usually billed by the hour; moves between provinces are usually priced on the weight or volume of the shipment and the distance. Every figure below names its source and was checked in September 2026. Where we could not find a source for an item, we have left it out rather than guess.
Local moving costs by home size
HomeStars’ national guide bases these ranges on typical hourly rates, including the truck and the movers’ time. Packing, storage and oversized items are extra.
| Home size | Typical hours | Typical cost | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-bedroom apartment | 3 to 5 | $300 to $900 | HomeStars (updated August 2026), checked September 2026 |
| 2-bedroom apartment | 5 to 7 | $600 to $1,150 | HomeStars (updated August 2026), checked September 2026 |
| 3-bedroom house | 7 to 10 | $900 to $1,600 | HomeStars (updated August 2026), checked September 2026 |
| 4-bedroom house | 10 or more | $1,300 to $3,000+ | HomeStars (updated August 2026), checked September 2026 |
HomeStars also warns that summer and month-end moves can push rates up significantly, sometimes doubling the standard hourly rate. That matters most in Quebec, where most leases end on 30 June; see our Montreal guide.
Moving across Canada
For moves between provinces, HomeStars gives these full-service ranges:
| Home size | Full-service cross-Canada move |
|---|---|
| Studio or bachelor | $1,800 to $4,000 |
| 1 bedroom | $2,800 to $6,000 |
| 2 bedrooms | $4,200 to $9,000 |
| 3 bedrooms | $6,000 to $12,000 |
| 4 bedrooms or larger | $9,000 to $15,000+ |
And for some common routes between the cities we cover:
| Route | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Montreal to Toronto (540 km) | $2,000 to $3,500 |
| Calgary to Toronto (3,400 km) | $4,200 to $6,800 |
| Edmonton to Toronto (3,500 km) | $4,600 to $7,200 |
| Ottawa to Vancouver (4,800 km) | $6,000 to $9,500 |
HomeStars puts a two-bedroom cross-Canada move at $4,200 to $9,000 with full-service movers, $2,500 to $6,000 with a moving container, and $2,500 to $4,500 with a DIY truck rental. Its route figures and home-size figures do not line up exactly, which is a reminder to use them to sanity-check quotes rather than predict one.
Hourly rates, packing and extras
| Item | Typical cost | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Two-person crew with truck (local) | $120 to $200 per hour | HomeStars (updated August 2026), checked September 2026 |
| Full-service packing on a local move | About $500 or more extra | HomeStars (updated August 2026), checked September 2026 |
| Packing service on a cross-Canada move | $500 to $2,000 extra | HomeStars cross-Canada guide (updated August 2026), checked September 2026 |
| Upright piano (local) | $300 to $600 | HomeStars (updated August 2026), checked September 2026 |
| Grand piano (local) | $600 to $1,500 | HomeStars (updated August 2026), checked September 2026 |
| Pool table | $300 to $800 including disassembly and reassembly | HomeStars (updated August 2026), checked September 2026 |
| Long-carry fee (over 75 feet from truck to door) | $50 to $150 per location | HomeStars cross-Canada guide (updated August 2026), checked September 2026 |
| Car transport within a province | $700 to $1,500 per vehicle | HomeStars (updated August 2026), checked September 2026 |
| Car transport cross-country | $1,500 to $3,000 per vehicle | HomeStars (updated August 2026), checked September 2026 |
| Storage in transit | $100 to $300 a month for a 1-bedroom load; $200 to $500 for larger shipments | HomeStars cross-Canada guide (updated August 2026), checked September 2026 |
| Full value protection from the mover | Typically 1 to 2% of the declared value of your goods | HomeStars cross-Canada guide (updated August 2026), checked September 2026 |
Tax is extra. HomeStars points out that GST or HST applies to moving services and that in Ontario 13% HST applies to the full quote, so check whether each quote you compare includes tax. Tipping is optional; HomeStars suggests 10% to 20%, or roughly $20 to $50 per mover for a half-day job.
City permit costs
Reserving street space for the truck, or putting a moving container on the road, can add a City fee. These are the figures we found for our city guides:
| City | What it covers | Fee | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toronto | Street Occupation Permit for a moving container on the road or sidewalk | $73.89 + HST per day (outside a Construction Hub) | City of Toronto |
| Montreal | Borough permit to reserve space for a moving truck | Varies by borough: free in at least one, a minimum of $43 or $60 including taxes in others | Ville de Montréal |
| Calgary | Street Use Permit (Temporary No Parking Permit included) | $31.50 per day before GST, plus ParkPlus fees in paid zones | City of Calgary |
| Ottawa | Encroachment permit, needed only if the truck cannot follow normal parking rules, or for a container | $101 simple permit, plus at least $41 a day road rental | City of Ottawa |
| Edmonton | OSCAM permit for a POD or container on the road | Daily fee planned but on hold | City of Edmonton |
How provincial rules affect what you pay
| Where | Rule | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Ontario | The mover cannot charge more than 10% above the estimate in your contract unless you need extra supplies or services and agree to them | Consumer Protection Ontario |
| Quebec | A mover cannot demand more than the contract price. Pay no deposit or a very small one; for payments more than 2 months ahead, pay into a trust account | Office de la protection du consommateur |
| Anywhere in Canada | If you don’t buy replacement value protection, the mover’s liability is generally $0.60 per pound ($1.32 per kg) per item | Office of Consumer Affairs |
Local guides
Getting a fair price
Get at least three written estimates based on a survey of your home, in person or by video, and make sure each lists the crew size, hours or weight, and every extra. Read how to compare quotes without missing extra charges and whether a packing service is worth it, then ask for moving quotes or browse our removal and moving options.
Compare House Movers is a comparison and referral service, not a moving company. We do not carry out moves, and a listing here is not a recommendation.
Common questions
How much do movers cost per hour in Canada?
HomeStars says most companies charge $120 to $200 an hour for a two-person crew with a truck (updated August 2026, checked September 2026).
How much does a local one-bedroom move cost?
HomeStars puts it at $300 to $900, depending on hours worked and location.
How much does it cost to move across Canada?
For most households, $4,000 to $12,000 with full-service movers, according to HomeStars, with an average two-bedroom home at around $4,800.
Is tax included in moving quotes?
Not always. GST or HST applies to moving services, and HomeStars notes that some movers quote pre-tax and add tax on the final invoice.
Can the final bill be higher than the estimate?
In Ontario, by no more than 10% unless you agree to extra supplies or services. In Quebec, the OPC says the mover cannot demand more than the contract price.
Sources
- Moving Costs in Canada (Updated for 2026), updated 21 August 2026 (homestars.com)
- How Much Does It Cost to Move Across Canada? A 2026 Guide, updated 21 August 2026 (homestars.com)
- Street Occupation Permit, 2026 fees, City of Toronto (toronto.ca)
- Stationner un camion de déménagement, Ville de Montréal (montreal.ca)
- Street use permit, City of Calgary (calgary.ca)
- Temporary construction related encroachments, City of Ottawa (ottawa.ca)
- Waste Bin, POD or SeaCan on City Roads, City of Edmonton (edmonton.ca)
- Hiring a mover, Consumer Protection Ontario (ontario.ca)
- Fiche-conseil : déménagement, Office de la protection du consommateur (opc.gouv.qc.ca)
- Moving advice, Office of Consumer Affairs, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ised-isde.canada.ca)
Last checked: September 2026. City fees and provincial rules change, so confirm the current position with the city or regulator before you rely on it.