Quick answer: The cheapest time of year to move is winter, from November to March, with January and February the cheapest months of all. Off-season rates run roughly 20% to 40% below the summer peak. In Montreal there is a second rule that matters more than anywhere else in Canada: avoid July 1, the province-wide lease moving day, when demand and prices spike hardest.
Here is exactly when to move to pay the least, and how to stack up the savings.
The cheapest months to move
Moving prices follow demand, and demand follows the school year, the real estate market and the weather. That creates a clear cheap season and an expensive one.
| Season | Months | Cost vs. off-season |
|---|---|---|
| Cheapest | January, February | Lowest rates of the year |
| Off-peak | November, December, March | Roughly 20% to 40% below summer |
| Shoulder | October, April, May | Moderate, 10% to 20% below summer |
| Peak (most expensive) | June, July, August, September | Highest rates, book weeks ahead |
Winter is cheapest because movers are quiet. Families have settled in for the school year, the housing market cools, and most renters stay put. Crews and trucks still cost money, so companies drop rates and negotiate to keep the calendar full.
Why July 1 is the exception in Montreal
Most moving guides are written for the United States and stop at “summer is expensive.” In Quebec there is a sharper spike national advice completely misses.
Most residential leases in the province traditionally end on June 30, so a huge share of renters move on or around July 1, Quebec’s unofficial Moving Day. That single week is the busiest, most expensive and hardest-to-book moving period of the entire year in Montreal. Trucks, crews and even rental vans sell out weeks in advance, and prices are at their absolute peak.
If your date is flexible, moving even a week or two away from July 1 can save you a meaningful amount. If your lease locks you into it, book as early as you can, four to six weeks ahead at a minimum, to secure a date and a fair rate.
Cheapest day and time to move
The month is only half the savings. The day of the week and the day of the month matter just as much.
- Cheapest days: Monday to Thursday. Friday, Saturday and Sunday are the most requested and the most expensive.
- Cheapest part of the month: the middle, roughly the 6th to the 24th. The first and last few days are packed with lease and closing dates.
- Cheapest time of day: a morning start, so the crew is fresh and the job is not delayed into overtime.
Stack these together and the ideal cheap move is a mid-week, mid-month date in January or February. The most expensive is the opposite: a weekend at the end of June around July 1.
How much can off-season timing save?
The seasonal gap is the single largest lever on your moving cost. Movers report their slowest stretch between New Year’s and mid-February, when rates fall well below summer levels and there is real room to negotiate on the rate, packing supplies, or storage. On a local move that difference can be hundreds of dollars, and on a long-distance move it can be more.
For the full picture of what a move costs, see our guide to moving company prices in Montreal, and for pricing on longer hauls, our long-distance moving prices guide.
The trade-offs of a winter move
Cheaper does not mean effortless. A Montreal winter move comes with real considerations:
- Snow and ice. Walkways and stairs need clearing and salting, and truck placement matters more.
- Short daylight. Winter afternoons run out early, so an early start helps.
- Weather delays. A storm can push a date, so keep the plan flexible.
- Protecting your home. Slush tracked through a stairwell is slippery, so floor protection is worth it.
A good mover plans for all of this, but it is worth knowing before you pick a January date over a June one.
How to get the lowest price, whenever you move
Timing is the biggest saving, but not the only one:
- Book early. The best off-season dates and rates still go first.
- Be flexible. Give the mover two or three possible dates and ask which is cheapest.
- Declutter first. Less to move means fewer hours or less weight.
- Pack yourself. Keep professional packing for fragile items only.
- Get three quotes and compare what is included, not just the total.
Our complete list is in how to save on moving costs.
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest month to move?
January, with February close behind. Both fall in the winter off-season, when demand is lowest and movers discount to keep crews busy.
What is the cheapest time of year to move in Montreal specifically?
Winter, from November to March, and especially January and February. The one date to avoid at all costs is July 1, Quebec’s lease-turnover moving day, which is the most expensive of the year.
Is it cheaper to move on a weekday or a weekend?
A weekday. Monday to Thursday are noticeably cheaper than Friday through Sunday, which are the most in-demand days.
How much cheaper is moving in winter?
Off-season rates typically run about 20% to 40% below summer peak prices, with the deepest discounts in January and February.
Why is July 1 so expensive to move in Quebec?
Most Quebec leases traditionally end June 30, so a large share of the province moves at once around July 1. That concentrated demand makes it the busiest and priciest moving window of the year.
When is the most expensive time to move?
Summer, from June to September, peaking around July 1 in Quebec and on month-end weekends. Prices can run 20% to 40% higher than winter.
Is a cheaper winter move worth the weather risk?
For many people, yes, especially for a local move where a weather delay does not cascade into hotel or storage costs. Plan for snow, an early start and a flexible date.
Plan your move around the savings
The cheapest move is a mid-week, mid-month date in the winter off-season, and away from July 1. Tell us your home size and a few possible dates, and we will find you the best-priced option and give you one clear, honest quote. Get a free moving quote or call 514-551-0155.
Savings ranges in this guide are typical 2026 industry figures. Your exact price depends on your home, your date and your move, and is confirmed in your quote.