Everyone loves to talk about how “cheap” homes are in New Brunswick.
And honestly? Compared to places like Ontario, British Columbia, or even parts of Alberta… yes, housing can absolutely be more affordable.
But moving across Canada is not just about buying the house.
It’s the moving truck.
The fuel.
The hotels.
The takeout food because your pots are somewhere between Winnipeg and Quebec.
The surprise costs nobody warns you about until you’re sitting on your living room floor wondering why you spent $47 on garbage bags and extension cords.
So let’s talk about the real numbers.
Not scary numbers.
Not sugar-coated numbers.
Just realistic ones.
The Average Cost to Move Across Canada
If you’re moving to Moncton, Riverview, or Dieppe from another province, here’s a rough idea of what you may spend.
Moving Truck or Movers
This is usually the biggest expense.
Approximate costs:
Ontario to New Brunswick: $4,000–$10,000+
Alberta to New Brunswick: $7,000–$15,000+
British Columbia to New Brunswick: $9,000–$18,000+
The price depends on:
How much stuff you own
Time of year
Whether you pack yourself
If you need storage
If you have specialty items like pianos, gym equipment, or your grandmother’s 900-pound dining set nobody is allowed to touch
And yes… summer moves cost more because apparently everyone collectively decides July is “moving season.”
Gas Costs Add Up Fast
If you’re driving across the country yourself, fuel alone can become a serious expense.
Especially if:
You’re hauling a trailer
Driving a cube van
Bringing multiple vehicles
Traveling with kids, pets, or both (which honestly deserves hazard pay)
Depending on distance and fuel prices, many families spend:
$800–$2,500+ on fuel alone
Copper would personally like to remind everyone that Basset Hounds do not enjoy 14-hour driving days.
Hotels and Food
This is the sneaky category people forget to budget for.
A cross-country move can easily take:
3–8 days of travel
Average costs:
Hotels: $150–$300 per night
Food: $50–$200 per day depending on family size
Emergency coffee stops because somebody is losing their mind: unavoidable
A family relocating from Western Canada could easily spend:
$1,500–$4,000 just getting here comfortably
Closing Costs on Your New Home
Then comes the actual house purchase.
In New Brunswick, buyers should still budget for:
Lawyer fees
Home inspection
Property tax adjustments
Utility hookups
Insurance
Land transfer tax
A good rule of thumb:
Budget about 1.5%–4% of the purchase price for closing costs
So if you’re buying a $400,000 home, you may want:
$6,000–$16,000 set aside
Not because anyone is trying to rob you.
It’s just adulthood and paperwork joining forces.
The “Oh Crap” Budget
This is the category nobody talks about enough.
Things like:
New furniture because your old sectional suddenly looks ridiculous
Snowblower
Winter tires
Extra storage
Kids needing new schools supplies halfway through the move
Internet installation
Groceries after arriving to an empty fridge
The little things pile up shockingly fast.
Most families should realistically keep:
$2,000–$5,000+ as a backup cushion
Because moving is basically controlled chaos with receipts.
But Here’s the Good News
Despite the moving costs, many people relocating to New Brunswick still find they gain:
Lower housing costs
More property for their money
Less traffic
Shorter commutes
More outdoor lifestyle
Slower pace of life
Strong community feel
And honestly, that matters.
A lot.
Especially for families feeling stretched thin in larger Canadian cities.
My Advice?
Before you move:
Price out movers early
Get multiple quotes
Declutter hard before packing
Budget higher than you think you need
Research communities carefully
Talk to someone local who actually knows the area
Because moving across Canada is a huge life decision.
And the smoother the plan, the less stressful the experience.
And trust me… stress levels will already be high enough when you can’t find your coffee maker for four days.
Nicole Labarge
REALTOR® | Come Home to Moncton
Keller Williams Capital Realty
506-377-2279
tnicolelabarge@gmail.com
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