Moving Cost From Edmonton to Calgary

Relocating from Edmonton to Calgary is one of the most common long-distance moves within Alberta. Even though the two cities are in the same province, the 300 km distance between them means this is still considered a long-distance move by most moving companies.

Whether you’re moving for work, lifestyle, or a fresh start, understanding the moving costs involved will help you plan better and avoid last-minute surprises.

To help you create a realistic moving budget, here are the approximate moving costs from Edmonton to Calgary, averaging $1,250 to $8,690. 

However, several other factors can influence the price, including the size of your home, the time of year, the specific distance between your old and new residences, the number of movers you hire, and any additional services you opt for. The cost is roughly the same if you are moving from Calgary to Edmonton.

This guide breaks down average moving costs, DIY vs. professional moving, office move estimates, cost-saving tips, and why so many people are making the Edmonton-to-Calgary switch.

How Far is Calgary From Edmonton By Road?

The driving distance between Calgary and Edmonton is around 300 km (approximately 180 miles), with a travel time of about 3 hours. Given that this is a long-distance move, choosing a reputable moving company is crucial to ensure a seamless relocation and allow you to focus on other essential tasks.

How Much Does It Cost To Move From Edmonton To Calgary

The average cost of moving from Edmonton to Calgary ranges from approximately $1,250 to $8,690, depending on several factors, including the size of your home, the volume of belongings, your moving date, and any additional services you require, such as packing, storage, or specialty items.

Residential Moving Cost: DIY Moving Vs. Hiring a Professional Moving Company

Before deciding to move, you need to plan whether you want to go for DIY moving or hire professional movers to help you relocate. 

Since it’s a kind of long-distance move, it is preferable to hire a professional moving company that is well-equipped to handle your belongings safely, but if you don’t have the budget or want to save money, then you can go for DIY moving and rent a moving truck or container to transport your belongings.

DIY Moving

If you are taking the DIY route, consider renting a moving truck or container to transport your belongings to your new home with the help of your family and friends. 

Renting a truck is usually a cheaper option, but it would require you to do all the driving and heavy lifting. Here are a few estimates of how much it will take to rent a truck.

Moving a studio apartment in a 10-15-ft truck will cost you around $430-$450. A 2-3 bedroom move in a 20-ft truck will cost around $550-$570, and a 4+ bedroom will require a 26-ft truck that will cost around $650-$675. The prices for the truck rentals are plausible but can vary significantly based on the day of the week, time of year, and the specific company. 

You will also need high-quality packing and moving supplies to ensure the safety of your belongings. Here is an approximate price of a few packing supplies 

• Large Moving Box: $3.50
• Medium Moving Box: $2.50
• Wardrobe Boxes: $12
• Furniture Pads: $10
• Bubble Wraps: $30
• Packing Paper: $40
• Packing Tape: $10

Note that the total cost of these supplies would depend on the number of moving boxes and packing materials you buy. 

Hiring a Professional Moving Company

When planning a move from Edmonton to Calgary, it’s essential to set your moving budget before hiring a moving company. While the drive is only about three hours, some professional movers still classify this as a long-distance move. 

When moving from Edmonton to Calgary, professional moving companies typically offer one of two pricing models: a flat rate or an hourly rate.

While a flat rate provides a fixed price for the entire move, some companies will offer an hourly rate, which can be more cost-effective for smaller moves or if the moving crew is particularly efficient. It’s crucial to understand which pricing model you’re being quoted to avoid any surprises.

On average, hiring movers for this move can cost between $139 and $259 per hour. The distance between Edmonton and Calgary is approximately 180 miles (around 300 kilometers). 

You should take note that these price ranges are rough estimates and may vary from the prices you get from a full-service professional moving company. Several other factors could influence the price, including: 

• Size of the Move: Moving a 2-bedroom house costs more than moving a 1-bedroom condo.
• Distance of the Move: In general, moving long distances tends to be more expensive than local moves due to the added travel time, fuel costs, and logistical considerations.

• Moving Date: Moving costs can also vary based on your moving date. Summer is typically the busiest season for movers, which means rates are often higher compared to the off-peak seasons of winter. 

• Additional Services: Extra services such as packing, hiring additional experienced movers, furniture assembly, and storage can all add to your final moving costs.

Office Moving Cost From Edmonton To Calgary

If you’re moving your office long-distance, the costs will generally be much higher than for a local move. Given that the distance from Edmonton to Calgary is about 180 miles (approximately 300 kilometers), the average office moving cost for this route typically ranges from $1,750 to $9,580. 

However, please note that these figures are just an estimate; several other factors can influence the office moving cost, including:

1. Size of The Office

The total square footage of your office affects how many items the movers need to transport, which can increase the cost of hiring a professional moving company in Calgary.

2. Office Equipment and Workstations

In addition to your office’s square footage, the amount of equipment and the number of workstations you’re moving also matter. Heavy items, such as a fridge or office equipment, require more movers and space, which can increase your moving costs.

3. Number of Movers

For a small office move, the average cost of hiring two movers and one truck will be around $139 per hour. However, if you have heavy or bulky items that require reliable movers, the hourly rate can exceed $259. For any additional mover, it could cost you around $60 extra. 

Reasons Why People Are Moving From Edmonton To Calgary

There are several pros and cons of moving to Calgary; to make a decision, you need to decide which one suits you the best. Here are a few reasons why people are moving from Edmonton to Calgary. 

1. Better Job Opportunities

Calgary offers better job opportunities than many other Alberta cities, driven by a strong and diverse economy. 

In-demand careers in Calgary include engineers, IT specialists, software developers, health care professionals, tradespeople, and film/media experts.

 With competitive salaries, work-life balance, and a larger economy, Calgary makes it easier to find diverse, well-paying jobs.

2. Affordable Housing Options

The City of Calgary defines affordable housing as homes that cost a household earning less than 65% of the median income no more than 30% of their before-tax earnings in shelter expenses.

Calgary offers more affordable housing options compared to other major Canadian cities. According to Numbeo, the average monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment is around $1,900 in Calgary, which is significantly lower than in Toronto (approximately $2,450) and Vancouver ($2,900).

3. Low Sales Tax

One more financial benefit of living in Calgary is that Alberta doesn’t have a provincial sales tax. Yes, you read that right. If you plan to move to the province, you’ll only pay a 5% Federal Goods and Services Tax, which means you can save more money compared to other provinces. 

In other provinces such as Ontario, Quebec, and BC, you pay up to 15% in sales taxes (combined Federal & Provincial rate).

4. Good Healthcare Facilities 

Residents benefit from the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP), a free program covering essential medical services including visits to family doctors and psychiatrists, partial coverage for hospital stays, surgical procedures like bariatric and oral surgery, and blood tests.

Some services are only partially covered with your Alberta Health Card, such as annual eye exams for those under 19 or over 65, certain dental and oral surgeries, and podiatry (foot care) treatments.

How Much Does It Cost To Move From Calgary To Edmonton

The average cost of hiring experienced movers from Calgary to Edmonton ranges between $139 and $259 per hour. As mentioned above, the distance between Calgary and Edmonton is 299 km, and the drive takes approximately 3 hours and 10 minutes. 

Unlike local moves, which are priced by the hour, long-distance moves are typically billed at a flat rate. This fixed price is determined by the size and scope of your move, not by the number of hours it takes to complete.

However, you should note that these are rough estimates, and the prices may vary from those you get from a full-service professional moving company. Several other factors could influence the prices. 

Final Thoughts

Before planning your move, it is essential to know how much it costs to move from Edmonton to Calgary. Since it’s a long-distance move, it can come with a series of expenses. These would include the cost of hiring local movers, gathering moving supplies, renting climate-controlled storage units, and handling specialty items. 

To ensure a smooth move, plan your budget carefully. If you need assistance with relocating your belongings, consider hiring a professional moving company in Edmonton to help you move to Calgary seamlessly. 

If you don’t have the budget to hire trained movers, consider asking your family and friends for help and renting a moving truck to transport your belongings.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is it worth moving to Calgary, AB?

Moving to Calgary can be an excellent choice for many, but it ultimately depends on your circumstances and priorities. 

The city often ranks highly in livability surveys thanks to its strong economy, abundant outdoor recreation opportunities, and comparatively lower cost of living among major Canadian cities. However, potential downsides, such as harsh winter weather, should also be taken into account.

2. Is it cheaper to live in Edmonton or Calgary? 

After comparing both cities, Edmonton is generally more affordable to live in. However, choosing where to settle involves more than just rent and living costs. 

Calgary stands out for its diverse job market and is home to some of Canada’s top post-secondary institutions.

3. Which city is colder, Calgary or Edmonton?

If you compare Calgary vs Edmonton weather, Edmonton’s winters are generally longer and colder, while the summers are shorter and milder. Meanwhile, Calgary has milder winters and hotter summers. 

4. Which are the affordable neighborhoods in Calgary?

The affordable neighborhoods in Calgary are Deer Ridge, Huntington Hills, Renfrew, and Rocky Ridge.