Calgary Movers Cost Less Than You Think

Here is something that might surprise you.

We analyzed pricing data from Calgary moving companies to understand what moves actually cost here. The numbers challenge what most people assume.

Calgary market median: $125/hour for a 2-person crew.

Compare that to:

• Edmonton: $139/hour
• Vancouver: $127/hour
• Toronto: $125/hour

Calgary matches Toronto and comes in cheaper than Edmonton and Vancouver. Good news if you are moving here - or staying.

We have seen Calgary movers charging anywhere from $90/hour to $179/hour. That spread matters - and understanding it is the difference between overpaying and finding real value.

Why median, not average? A few ultra-budget or ultra-premium movers can skew averages. The median shows you what a typical mover actually charges - a more useful number when planning your budget.

With 225 active moving companies, Calgary has a competitive marketplace. That is good news for consumers - competition drives quality up and keeps prices reasonable.

Here is what we found in our data:

The average Google rating across Calgary movers is 4.68 stars from over 33,000 reviews. That is higher than most service industries. Calgary movers, collectively, have a strong reputation.

But averages hide the story. The best movers in Calgary consistently hit 4.9+ stars with hundreds of verified reviews. The bottom tier struggles to maintain 4.0.

The price difference between top-rated companies and budget options? About $40-50/hour. Whether that premium is worth it depends on what you are moving and your risk tolerance.

Insurance and licensing:

Look for movers with at least $2 million in liability coverage - the industry standard in Alberta. Many premium Calgary movers carry $5 million or more. This protects you if something goes wrong during the move.

Rates climbed 2021-2024 as demand outpaced supply. The 2026 dip reflects increased competition - more movers joined Calgary market, pricing aggressively to build reviews.

Outlook: Expect $120-130/hr range through 2026. Competition keeps a lid on increases.

That $125/hour median? It is a starting point, not a final answer.

Crew size changes everything:

Crew Size	Typical Rate	Best For
2 movers	$120-150/hr	Studio, 1BR
3 movers	$150-180/hr	2BR apartments
4 movers	$180-220/hr	3BR houses

Estimated total cost by home size:

Home Size	Duration	Crew	Est. Cost
Studio	2-3 hours	2	$280-$450
1 Bedroom	3-4 hours	2	$420-$600
2 Bedroom	4-6 hours	2-3	$600-$1,000
3 Bedroom	6-8 hours	3-4	$1,000-$1,600
4+ Bedroom	8-12 hours	4+	$1,600-$2,500

Most people underestimate how long a move takes. A 2-bedroom apartment? Plan for 4-5 hours minimum. A 3-bedroom house with a basement? That is a full day.

The calendar matters too.

January moves cost about 15% less than July moves. Tuesday is cheaper than Saturday. Mid-month beats month-end.

These are not arbitrary - they reflect real supply and demand in Calgary moving market.

That $125/hour quote might not be your final price. Here is what can add $200-400 to a simple move:

Stairs fee: $50-75 per flight Most Calgary movers charge extra for stairs. A third-floor walkup? That is $150-225 added to your bill.

Long carry fee: $50-100 If the truck cannot park close to your door - common in downtown Calgary - you will pay for the extra distance.

Elevator wait time: Some charge it, some do not In busy buildings, waiting for the elevator adds billable hours.

Travel time: $50-100 Some movers start the clock when they leave their shop, not when they arrive at your door.

Fuel surcharge: $25-75 This one has become standard, but the amount varies widely.

These fees are not scams - they reflect real costs. But they should be disclosed before you book, not discovered on your invoice.

When you compare movers on Boxly, you will see which companies charge what fees. It is the only way to compare real costs.

Calgary movers generally fall into two camps.

Top-rated companies charge $150-175/hour. They have been around longer, have better reviews, carry proper insurance, and train their crews. When something goes wrong, they handle it.

Budget-friendly options run $100-130/hour. Many are newer companies building their reputation. Some are fantastic. Others cut corners.

Here is the honest take: for a simple apartment move with standard furniture, a well-reviewed budget mover is probably fine. For a 4-bedroom house with a piano and grandmother antiques? Spend the extra money.

The $40/hour difference adds up to $200-400 on a typical move. Whether that is worth it depends on what you are protecting.

What to look for in either category:

• Minimum 4.5 stars with at least 50 reviews (not 5 reviews from friends)
• Active insurance - ask for the certificate
• Clear pricing - no "we will figure it out on site"
• Professional communication - if they are hard to reach before the move, imagine during

Moving rates do not automatically drop in winter - but your negotiating power increases significantly.

Important: Most movers will not volunteer a discount. The seasonal advantage is that during slow periods, they have more availability and more motivation to win your business. Use this as leverage when getting quotes.

Calgary moving calendar:

• January-February: Lowest demand, best negotiating position. Chinooks can provide surprisingly good weather windows.
• March-April: Shoulder season. Demand building but still reasonable leverage.
• May-August: Peak season. Limited flexibility, harder to negotiate. Book early.
• July (Stampede week): Avoid if possible. Everything in Calgary is premium-priced.
• September: Student turnover creates mini-peak.
• October-December: Demand drops. Good time to ask for better rates.

Day of week leverage:

Tuesday through Thursday means less competition for crews. Mid-month beats the first and last weeks when everyone is moving. These are not automatic discounts - they are negotiation points.

If you are flexible, mention it upfront and ask: "Can you offer a better rate for a Tuesday move?"

Here is where the pricing model flips.

Local zone (hourly rates): Airdrie (28km), Cochrane (35km), Okotoks (38km), Chestermere (18km), Strathmore (53km) - all local. You pay by the hour.

Long distance (flat rate): Once you cross roughly 100km, pricing shifts to weight-based flat rates.

Destination	Distance	Pricing Model	Typical Cost (2BR)
Canmore	103km	Long distance	$1,500-2,500
Banff	129km	Long distance	$1,800-3,000
Red Deer	147km	Long distance	$2,000-3,500
Edmonton	300km	Long distance	$2,500-4,500
Vancouver	970km	Long distance	$4,500-8,000

This matters because the pricing model is completely different. A Calgary-to-Banff move might be $1,500-2,500 flat, regardless of hours. A Calgary-to-Okotoks move is still $125/hour times actual time.

Many people assume Banff is close because they drive there for weekends. For moving purposes, it is a different category entirely.

Getting accurate long-distance quotes:

Always request an in-home or virtual estimate for long-distance moves. Phone quotes are typically off by 20-30% because they cannot account for the actual volume of your belongings.

Downtown Calgary condos have rules. Breaking them causes problems.

What to prepare for:

Elevator booking Most buildings require 2+ weeks advance notice. Some allow online booking, others require management approval. Miss this step and your movers will wait - on the clock - while you sort it out.

Deposits $100-200 refundable deposit is standard. This protects the building from damage. You get it back after inspection.

Time restrictions Typical windows: 9am-5pm weekdays. Some buildings allow Saturday moves. Evening moves are rarely permitted.

Loading dock access Coordinate with building management. In Beltline and East Village, dock time slots book up fast during peak season.

Move-in fees Some buildings charge $100-300 on top of the deposit. This is not refundable.

None of this is the mover fault or responsibility. These are building rules. Know them before move day.

Get these answers before putting down a deposit. A reputable mover will answer all of these clearly - hesitation or vagueness is a red flag.

Use the interactive checklist below to track your questions. You can print it to bring along when calling movers.

On Boxly, most of this information is already visible on each mover profile - pricing structure, insurance status, reviews, and service details. You can compare movers side by side and save favorites to your shortlist. But always confirm details directly before booking.

After analyzing pricing data from 47 Calgary movers, here is what actually moves the needle:

1. Use timing as a negotiation lever January-February and mid-week moves mean lower demand for movers. Most will not automatically offer a discount - but they have more flexibility. Mention you are flexible on dates and ask if they can offer a better rate for a Tuesday or off-peak week. This is not a rule, it is a negotiation point that can save 10-15%.

2. Pack yourself Packing services add $200-500. If you have time and boxes, this is easy money saved.

3. Declutter before quoting Every box you do not move saves time. Movers quote based on volume. Less stuff = lower quote = lower final bill.

4. Be ready Movers bill for time. If you are still packing when they arrive, that is billable. Disassemble furniture. Clear pathways. Have everything accessible.

5. Get multiple quotes With 225 movers in Calgary, you have options. Get at least 3 quotes. Not to choose the cheapest - to understand fair market pricing and have leverage.

6. Read the reviews Not just the star rating. Read what people say about the actual experience. Look for patterns.

One thing many people forget until the last minute: where will the moving truck park?

City of Calgary Street Use Permits

If you are moving in downtown Calgary, the Beltline, or busy residential streets, you may need a Temporary No Parking permit. This reserves street space for your moving truck.

How it works:

1. Apply through the City of Calgary website
2. Processing takes 5-10 business days
3. Cost: $31.50 + GST per calendar day
4. Signs must be posted 72 hours before your move

Do you need one?

• Downtown/Beltline: Almost always yes
• Inner city neighborhoods: Usually yes
• Suburban streets: Usually no, unless parking is tight
• Condo buildings: Building handles this (check with management)

Without a permit:

Parking tickets in Calgary run $80-150. Your moving truck blocking traffic? That can escalate quickly. Budget the ~$35 permit fee rather than risk $200+ in fines plus the stress.

Pro tip: Ask your moving company if they handle permits. Some premium movers include this service.

Calgary weather is famously unpredictable. This matters for your move.

Chinooks are your friend

Those famous warm winds can raise temperatures by 20-30°C in hours. A -20°C January day can become a pleasant +5°C by afternoon. Winter moves in Calgary are not as brutal as you might think - if you catch a Chinook window.

Watch for these conditions:

Season	Temperature	Moving Conditions
Winter (Nov-Feb)	-20°C to +5°C	Chinooks = perfect, cold snaps = challenging
Spring (Mar-May)	0°C to +15°C	Variable, watch for late snow
Summer (Jun-Aug)	+20°C to +30°C	Best weather, highest prices
Fall (Sep-Oct)	+5°C to +15°C	Ideal balance of weather and pricing

Cold weather concerns:

• Below -15°C: Cardboard boxes become brittle. Electronics need to acclimate before use.
• Snow/ice: Walkways must be cleared. Movers will charge extra for unsafe conditions.
• Chinook aftermath: Rapid melt can create icy patches.

Hail season (June-July):

Calgary sits in "Hail Alley." If you are moving during summer, consider timing around afternoon storms (typically 3-7pm). Your belongings in the back of a truck during a hailstorm is not ideal.

Best months to move in Calgary:

• September-October: Weather still pleasant, demand dropping, good negotiating position
• April-May: Spring thaw complete, before summer rush, reasonable rates

Calgary is not just a destination - it is a way of life.

World-class skiing an hour away at Banff, Lake Louise, and Kananaskis. Stampede energy every July when the city transforms into a western celebration. A downtown that literally warms up with every Chinook wind. And neighborhoods with distinct personalities that make finding your perfect fit surprisingly easy.

Why people move here:

The opportunity is real. Calgary consistently ranks among Canada's best cities for jobs, especially in energy, tech, and finance. No provincial sales tax. Lower cost of living than Toronto or Vancouver. And salaries that actually compete with those cities.

The neighborhoods:

• Kensington - Historic charm, walkable shops, coffee culture
• Inglewood - Arts district, antiques, craft breweries
• Beltline - Urban living, nightlife, young professionals
• Mission - Trendy restaurants, boutiques, 4th Street energy
• Bridgeland - Riverside paths, farmers market, community feel
• Auburn Bay/Mahogany - Lake communities, new builds, family-friendly
• Marda Loop - Established homes, local shops, tree-lined streets

The lifestyle:

200+ km of urban pathways. More sunny days than any other major Canadian city. Summer patios that stretch from May to October. And that mountain backdrop that never gets old.

People move here for opportunity. They stay for the lifestyle.

Whether you are relocating from across the country or moving across town, Calgary has a way of feeling like home faster than you would expect.