How much do movers cost in Ontario?

A local move in Ontario with two movers and a truck usually costs about $119 to $150 an hour in 2026, and up to $200 in Toronto. Most companies charge at least two to three hours. That puts a studio or one-bedroom at roughly $360 to $890, a two-bedroom at $595 to $833, and a three-bedroom house at $830 to $2,175. Prices are before HST and come from Ontario moving companies' published prices, which we checked on 21 October 2026. The end of the month and summer Saturdays cost the most; a weekday in mid-month in winter costs the least.

Prices by home size (local move, two movers)

A bigger home may need a third or fourth mover. Each extra mover adds to the hourly rate but usually shortens the move.iSources: Easy Moving ($119 an hour for two movers, pricing reviewed August 2026); Let's Get Moving ($139 to $150 an hour for two movers and a truck, Brampton, April 2025).

Movers by city

Hourly rates for two movers and a truck on a local move, from each city's published prices, before HST:

Toronto runs the highest, and smaller centres the lowest. Wherever you are, the same move can draw quotes 30 to 50% apart, so compare at least three.iSources: Let's Get Moving city pages (Toronto, Brampton, Burlington, Oakville, Hamilton, Aurora, Ajax); Move It Right (Ajax); Small Movers Canada (St. Catharines). Each page's date is shown in brackets. Older prices may have gone up since.

Sample moves between cities

A studio or one-bedroom, two movers, local move, before HST:

iSource: Let's Get Moving's Brampton (2025), Burlington (2024), Ajax (2024) and Hamilton (2026) pages. A bigger home costs more on the same route: Burlington to Toronto is $1,925 to $3,075 for a two- or three-bedroom.

What adds to the price

Packing supplies and storage between dates are usually extra too.iSources: Van Blanc (percentages and hours, updated 16 October 2026); Let's Get Moving (extras, 2025).

The cheapest time to move

• Mid-week, mid-month: a Tuesday or Wednesday away from the end of the month can be 10 to 15% cheaper.
• Winter: December to February can be 10 to 20% cheaper than summer.
• The most expensive: the last Saturday in July.

iSource: Van Blanc, "How Much Do Movers Cost in Ontario?" (updated 16 October 2026).

Long-distance moves

Long-distance moves are quoted as a flat price based on distance and the weight or volume of your things, not by the hour. One Brampton company put a three-bedroom townhouse from Brampton to Montreal at about $2,500 to $3,000 with three or four movers (2025). Get a written, binding quote, and ask what happens if your things weigh more than estimated.

How to work out what your move will cost

1. Estimate the hours from your home size (see the table above).
2. Add travel time, often 1 to 2 hours.
3. Multiply by the crew's hourly rate, and check the minimum charge.
4. Add the extras: stairs, heavy items, packing, supplies.
5. Add 13% HST.

Example: a two-bedroom at 6 hours, plus 1 hour of travel, at $119 an hour is 7 x $119 = $833, or about $941 with HST. That's our arithmetic on Easy Moving's published rate.

Tipping movers

Tipping is optional. One Canadian moving company suggests, per mover:

iSource: Alberta Strong Movers, "Should I tip the movers?" (2026).

Your rights with a mover in Ontario

• A moving contract worth more than $50 must be in writing.
• If a written estimate is in the contract, the mover can't charge more than 10% above it unless you need, and agree to, extra supplies or services.
• A mover can't hold your belongings to pressure you into paying more. That's an unfair practice and an offence. If you feel forced to pay, write "paid under protest" on the invoice and keep a copy.
• If you sign the contract in your home, you can cancel within 10 days for any reason.
• Before the movers leave, write down anything missing or damaged. Move valuables and documents yourself.

iSource: Government of Ontario, "Hiring a mover" (updated 19 June 2026).