Toronto to Montreal

If you are moving from Toronto to Montreal, you are not just changing your address, you are stepping into an entirely different rhythm of Canadian life. The distance is over 540 kilometers, yet the difference feels greater because you cross a provincial border and enter a bilingual environment. That shift brings excitement, but also stress. Centennial Moving exists to make this relocation smooth and clear. Our team understands the unique details of this corridor, from traffic on the 401 to the narrow one-way streets in Montreal. With our support, you can stay focused on your future instead of worrying about the process. Get a free quote today and start planning with confidence.

Moving from Toronto to Montreal will be an enjoyable adventure with us!

Why do people move from Toronto to Montreal in 2025?

Toronto and Montreal remain two of Canada’s most talked-about cities, yet they attract different types of residents. Many professionals are drawn to Montreal because of opportunities in tech, finance, education, and government. Unlike Toronto’s corporate pace, Montreal offers a mix of career openings alongside cultural and academic life. Families also notice housing differences. Toronto’s prices push many buyers and renters to consider Montreal’s more accessible options.

At the same time, people seek balance. Montreal’s slower pace, outdoor cafés, and community feel often appeal to those looking to escape Toronto’s constant rush. Parents also weigh bilingual schools and expanded childcare options. It is no surprise that relocating along this route has become so common in 2025.

Challenges of moving from Toronto to Montreal – And how we solve them

Every long distance move brings complications, and this corridor is no exception. Leaving Toronto usually means battling traffic on Highway 401. Entering Quebec, drivers often face busy construction zones, narrow Montreal streets, and strict parking rules. Without preparation, these issues cause delays. Centennial Moving handles scheduling carefully, mapping routes with precision to avoid unnecessary stress.

Crossing the Ontario–Quebec border also raises specific requirements. Quebec has its own building regulations, language laws, and rules for moving trucks. A mover familiar with these saves you time. We make sure to communicate with building managers, secure permits, and plan access points. Our crews are bilingual and trained to adapt quickly.

Climate adds another layer. Winters on this route are long, icy, and hazardous. Summers bring humidity and high heat, both risky for delicate belongings. We protect items with the right packing supplies, weatherproof wrapping, and careful handling. Even furniture is protected against scratches caused by cold metal or sweaty grips.

We solve each challenge, no matter the location

Moving from Toronto to Montreal: Specific scenarios

No two moves are the same, so different tips will apply in each scenario. Lucky, we have seen them all and have a few good ones to share!

Summer moves

Summer attracts many people to relocate between Toronto and Montreal. Kids are out of school, jobs start mid-year, and leases often reset. However, summer also means peak demand. Trucks are harder to book, highways are clogged with holiday traffic, and high heat threatens sensitive belongings. Choosing mid-week or mid-month dates reduces delays. Centennial Moving also ensures hydration breaks for crews and places protective covers over fragile items.

Job relocation

For those moving due to work, planning goes beyond boxes and trucks. A new role often requires immediate presence in Montreal, which makes timing critical. Someone relocating from Kingston, for example, often needs temporary housing near their new office or quick access to reliable transit lines. Employers sometimes cover relocation packages, but employees should review what is included before committing. Our experts help clients understand budgets, adjust timelines, and secure housing quickly. This preparation ensures that starting a new job in Montreal after moving from Kingston feels less overwhelming and far more manageable.

Family relocation

When a family moves, emotions can run higher than boxes stacked in a truck. Children often feel anxious about leaving friends, while elderly relatives may find long distance travel exhausting. Talking with your family early reduces stress. Create a clear schedule, involve children in choosing what toys or books to pack, and reassure seniors about comfort stops. Centennial Moving understands these emotional layers. We provide guidance on school board registration, healthcare access, and even routines that help kids settle faster. Parents appreciate how these steps make the new home feel like their own quickly.

Moving with toddlers / young kids

Younger children require additional support during relocation. Toddlers are sensitive to disruptions, and long car rides can overwhelm them. Packing an essentials kit with snacks, toys, and favorite blankets keeps them calm. During the drive from Toronto to Montreal, it helps to schedule regular breaks at safe rest areas. Families who do this notice far less tension. At arrival, setting up the child’s bedroom first restores familiarity. This single step often creates an immediate sense of safety. Centennial Moving staff handle loading and unloading so parents can focus on comfort for their little ones.

No matter who is moving, and the reason of the move, we can help!

Our Toronto to Montreal moving services

Being in the industry since 1995, we are proud to say that we now offer a wide array of moving services to our clients all across Canada and even moving from Canada to the USA.

Consider packing services for maximum convenience

You might want to make your relocation as convenient and easy as possible. The best way to accomplish this, when moving from Toronto to Montreal, is to utilize our packing services. Our packers work extremely fast and will bring all the necessary supplies right to your doorstep. We also provide partial packing services, as well as last-minute packing services. You can leave everything, or just the more difficult pieces, to us! With Centennial Moving, you always have several options at your disposal. No matter what your relocation might need, we will usually be able to provide it!

We can help you disassemble and assemble your furniture when moving from Toronto to Montreal

When moving to Montreal from Toronto, you may wonder what to do with your large furniture items. If you are not in a position to schedule an in-home estimate, you might want to use our handy furniture weight calculator for estimating the weight of your belongings. But when it comes to relocating these items, it is usually a lot better if you disassemble your furniture first. That is why we provide expert disassembly/assembly services where our movers will do all of that work for you. Our team will have all of your bulky items disassembled and ready to go before you know it! Of course, we will assemble them right back once they are in their new home!

Our range of storage services leaves nothing to be desired

But, sometimes, you may want to delay bringing your belongings to their final destination straight away. Perhaps you want to delay your trip when relocating from Toronto to Montreal. Or you may need to renovate or remodel your place before you bring in the rest of your items. Either way, having a storage unit handy will enable all that, and more. You will also have extra storage space which might come really handy if you are downsizing. Our range of storage services is quite extensive and we have solutions for almost any situation. The best thing is to get in touch with us and we will help you find a perfect unit for your purposes.

Relocating to Montreal from Toronto is not the only thing we can help you with. As a full-service moving company, we can offer a range of services to our customers. Here are some of the services that we offer:

• Long distance moving
• Province to Province moving
• City to City moving
• Cross country moving
• Storage services
• Car shipping services

We are proud to be able to help people in some many ways

Preparation and planning guide

Every smooth relocation depends on preparation. Here’s how a Toronto-to-Montreal move usually looks when broken into clear steps:

• Months in advance: Compare housing prices in Montreal’s Plateau or Rosemont with what you’re leaving behind in Scarborough or North York. Confirm your new lease or purchase, and reserve movers early, since the 401 corridor gets congested fast. Early booking also locks in better pricing before peak summer demand.

• Weeks before the move: Declutter by selling unused furniture on Toronto’s Facebook Marketplace groups, or donate to Value Village in Etobicoke. Begin boxing up non-essentials like extra winter coats, since Montreal winters hit harder than Toronto’s. Notify Hydro One and set up Hydro-Québec, and change your address with both ServiceOntario and your bank.

• Final week: Pack an essentials kit that includes your PRESTO card for Toronto (which you’ll soon retire), toiletries, health cards, and a French phrasebook to ease the transition in Montreal. Include a kettle and a bag of coffee — unpacking feels easier with caffeine.

• Moving day: Label every box with bilingual notes (“kitchen/cuisine”) in case building staff in Montreal need clarity. Be present at your Toronto apartment for loading, then prepare for possible detours around Highway 401 construction.

• After arrival: Connect to Hydro-Québec and Videotron quickly, since Montreal apartments often lack the pre-installed setups Toronto residents take for granted. Set up the kitchen and bedrooms first, then find your nearest Metro grocery store or Jean Coutu pharmacy to feel settled faster.

Cost and price factors for Toronto to Montreal moves

Distance matters, but so does volume. The weight of belongings, the number of large items, and the need for storage all shape costs. Season is another factor. Summer and early fall often see higher prices due to demand, while winter brings lower costs but tougher driving conditions.

Access is another key issue. Apartments with narrow staircases, elevators, or long hallways add time. Parking restrictions in Montreal can also increase labor fees. Centennial Moving provides clear estimates, explaining each part of the bill.

For perspective, a one-bedroom apartment move from Toronto to Montreal typically ranges between $1,600 and $2,400, depending on how much furniture is included. A two- to three-bedroom home averages between $2,800 and $4,200, while a large family house can reach $5,000 or more if packing, storage, or complex access conditions are involved. Customers are encouraged to request a detailed quote that covers extras such as elevator bookings, parking permits, or fuel surcharges. Because more people are moving out of Montreal in 2025, demand for return trips also influences price ranges, sometimes lowering costs if trucks are already heading back east.

Always have additional funds ready for unexpected expenses

Tips to make your move smoother

Some of our best tips will tell you that:

• Timing matters: Pick a mid-week date when fewer trucks clog the 401. Avoid the first and last day of the month, since Montreal leases traditionally flip on the first of July. An early morning departure from Toronto helps you bypass rush hour near Scarborough and Mississauga before hitting the open highway.

• You should pack with precision: Fragile items like wine glasses from your Toronto condo deserve bubble wrap, while electronics need extra padding against Montreal’s humid summers. Label boxes on every side — and consider writing both “kitchen” and “cuisine” so building staff in Montreal know where they go.

• Keep essentials close: Carry health cards, passports, and your driver’s license renewal papers. Bring snacks too — the Kingston rest stop on Highway 401 is often your only decent pause before Quebec.

• Communicate clearly: Tell your movers if your Toronto apartment has a tricky loading dock or if your new Montreal building requires an elevator reservation. Mention if your new Plateau flat is on a narrow street where trucks might struggle.

• Prepare for temporary housing: Some families move into short-term rentals in Montreal before their permanent spot is ready. Centennial Moving lines up storage for those extra weeks, making it easier to manage the transition without stress.

Cost of living and lifestyle differences between Toronto and Montreal

Housing remains one of the strongest motivators when choosing between Toronto and Montreal. In Toronto, a one-bedroom apartment in the city center averages $1,637 per month, while in Montreal the same space costs closer to $1,048. Families looking for more room also see sharp contrasts: a three-bedroom downtown averages $2,587 in Toronto, but around $1,880 in Montreal. Suburban houses show a similar divide, with Toronto homes priced at about $7,582 per square meter versus $4,776 in Montreal. Utilities add to the difference. A family in Toronto pays roughly $124 per month, while the same household in Montreal spends closer to $73.7.

Food and transport also shape monthly budgets. Groceries for a family of four average $1,638 in Toronto, while the same cart runs about $1,523 in Montreal. Transit in Toronto averages $632 per family, compared to $512 in Montreal, thanks to the reach of the metro and bus system. Toronto residents often rely heavily on cars, while Montreal households use public transport more often.

Even with salaries, the contrast remains. The average monthly take-home pay in Toronto is about $3,183, compared to $2,862 in Montreal. Although income is lower, the savings on rent, utilities, and transportation often outweigh the gap. Because of these differences, many newcomers compare the cost of living in other Canadian cities when leaving Montreal to see how both Toronto and Montreal stack up nationally. Understanding these real numbers helps families plan clearly before signing a lease or mortgage.

The difference in lifestyle will be shocking at first

Moving from Toronto to Montreal has never been easier!

When you are moving from Toronto to Montreal, there is no need to face uncertainty alone. Centennial Moving Canada provides trusted expertise, flexible services, and dedicated customer care. Let us build a relocation plan that fits your family, your timeline, and your budget. Contact us at +1 (866) 574-1967 or email sales@centennialmoving.ca to request your free estimate.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best season to move from Toronto to Montreal to avoid high costs or delays?
Late fall and early spring often provide the best balance of cost and manageable weather.

How far in advance should I hire movers for this route?
Two to three months is ideal, especially if you plan a summer move.

What additional costs should I expect?
Parking permits, elevator reservations, long carry fees, and fuel surcharges may apply.

What do I need to know about provincial regulations or French requirements?
Quebec requires French signage and often French communication with schools or local offices. Centennial’s bilingual staff make this process easier.

Can my employer cover relocation costs or assist with the move?
Many employers do provide packages. Always ask HR to clarify what expenses are included.