Scrap car prices per ton vary significantly by location. Prices can vary by $50 or more sometimes. It's not random. Prices depend on local steel demand, distance to shredders, and access to export markets. States with steel mills and major ports typically pay 10-25% more per ton than rural areas. This page shows current per-ton rates in all 50 states so you know what to expect in your local area.
Updated January 2026Highest Paying States
$180 – $195
California, Michigan, Texas
National Average
~$170
Most states fall here
Lowest Paying States
$145 – $155
Alaska, Hawaii, rural states
Scrap Car Prices by State (January 2026)
The table below shows current scrap car prices per ton in all 50 states. Prices reflect what scrap yards are paying for complete vehicles (with engine, transmission, and catalytic converter intact). Find current rates in your state below.
| State | Price Per Ton | Complete Car Value* |
|---|---|---|
| California | $185 – $195 | $185 – $585 |
| Michigan | $180 – $190 | $180 – $570 |
| Illinois | $175 – $185 | $175 – $555 |
| New York | $175 – $185 | $175 – $555 |
| New Jersey | $175 – $185 | $175 – $555 |
| Ohio | $170 – $180 | $170 – $540 |
| Indiana | $170 – $180 | $170 – $540 |
| Pennsylvania | $170 – $180 | $170 – $540 |
| Massachusetts | $170 – $180 | $170 – $540 |
| Connecticut | $170 – $180 | $170 – $540 |
| Texas | $165 – $175 | $165 – $525 |
| Washington | $165 – $175 | $165 – $525 |
| Arizona | $165 – $175 | $165 – $525 |
| Colorado | $160 – $170 | $160 – $510 |
| Virginia | $160 – $170 | $160 – $510 |
| Maryland | $160 – $170 | $160 – $510 |
| Minnesota | $160 – $170 | $160 – $510 |
| Wisconsin | $160 – $170 | $160 – $510 |
| Oregon | $160 – $170 | $160 – $510 |
| Nevada | $160 – $170 | $160 – $510 |
| New Hampshire | $160 – $170 | $160 – $510 |
| Rhode Island | $160 – $170 | $160 – $510 |
| Delaware | $160 – $170 | $160 – $510 |
| Florida | $155 – $165 | $155 – $495 |
| Georgia | $155 – $165 | $155 – $495 |
| North Carolina | $155 – $165 | $155 – $495 |
| Tennessee | $155 – $165 | $155 – $495 |
| Missouri | $155 – $165 | $155 – $495 |
| Kentucky | $155 – $165 | $155 – $495 |
| Utah | $155 – $165 | $155 – $495 |
| Oklahoma | $155 – $165 | $155 – $495 |
| Louisiana | $155 – $165 | $155 – $495 |
| Iowa | $155 – $165 | $155 – $495 |
| Alabama | $150 – $160 | $150 – $480 |
| South Carolina | $150 – $160 | $150 – $480 |
| Kansas | $150 – $160 | $150 – $480 |
| Nebraska | $150 – $160 | $150 – $480 |
| North Dakota | $150 – $160 | $150 – $480 |
| New Mexico | $150 – $160 | $150 – $480 |
| Maine | $150 – $160 | $150 – $480 |
| Vermont | $150 – $160 | $150 – $480 |
| Arkansas | $145 – $155 | $145 – $465 |
| Mississippi | $145 – $155 | $145 – $465 |
| South Dakota | $145 – $155 | $145 – $465 |
| Montana | $145 – $155 | $145 – $465 |
| Wyoming | $145 – $155 | $145 – $465 |
| Idaho | $145 – $155 | $145 – $465 |
| West Virginia | $145 – $155 | $145 – $465 |
| Alaska | $140 – $150 | $140 – $450 |
| Hawaii | $140 – $150 | $140 – $450 |
*Complete Car Value based on vehicles weighing 2,000–6,000 lbs. January 2025 estimates. Actual prices may vary by yard.
Why Do Scrap Car Prices Vary by Location?
The price scrap yards pay for your car depends heavily on where you live. Here's why:
Proximity to Steel Mills
States with steel mills (Ohio, Indiana, Pennsylvania) pay more because transportation costs are lower. Scrap doesn't have to travel far to be recycled.
Access to Export Ports
Coastal states near major ports (California, New Jersey, Texas) can export scrap metal overseas, creating more demand and higher prices.
Local Vehicle Supply
High-population states generate more end-of-life vehicles, supporting a larger scrap industry with more competition among buyers.
Transportation Costs
Rural and remote states (Montana, Wyoming, Alaska) have higher transportation costs to get scrap to processors, which lowers what yards can pay.
Pro tip: Even within the same state, prices can vary by $20–$40 per ton between yards. Always get quotes from 2–3 local scrap yards, or use Clunqr to automatically compare buyers in your area.
Tools & Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Scrap prices can change weekly or even daily based on global steel markets. However, dramatic swings are rare. Most yards adjust prices every 1–2 weeks based on what shredders and mills are paying. We update this page monthly to reflect current market conditions.
Prices depend on local infrastructure. A state without steel mills or major ports has to ship scrap farther, which increases costs and reduces what yards can pay. Rural states with lower population density also have less competition among scrap buyers, which keeps prices lower.
Usually, yes. Scrap value is just the base metal value—the floor price. If your car has usable parts, a working catalytic converter, or resale potential, it's worth more to a junk car buyer than a pure scrap yard. Services like Clunqr evaluate parts value and connect you with buyers who pay more than scrap rates.
Almost never. The difference between states is typically $20–$50 per ton, which translates to $30–$75 on an average car. Gas, time, and potential towing costs would eat up any savings. Your best bet is to compare multiple buyers in your local area or use an online service that does it for you.
No. These are market estimates based on current conditions. Individual scrap yards set their own prices based on what they can sell scrap for, their operating costs, and local competition. Actual offers may be higher or lower. Always get a direct quote from the buyer before committing.