Scrap Metal Prices for Cars, by State and Updated Monthly
Scrap metal prices for vehicles are quoted per ton and move constantly, which is why a number you were given six months ago is not a number you can rely on today. The price per ton for a complete car tracks the global ferrous scrap market — construction demand, mill capacity, export flows and freight costs — and then varies again by region on top of that.
The table below is what yards are currently paying by state, with the date it was last updated so you can judge how current it is.
- Every state, updated monthly
- Rates vary by over 30% across the country
- Free pickup, cash at the vehicle
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Current Rates by State
Per ton, for complete vehicles delivered to a yard.
| State | Per ton | Vs. national |
|---|---|---|
| California | $190–$200 | Above average |
| Michigan | $185–$195 | Above average |
| Illinois | $180–$190 | Above average |
| New York | $180–$190 | Above average |
| New Jersey | $180–$190 | Above average |
| Ohio | $175–$185 | Above average |
| Indiana | $175–$185 | Above average |
| Pennsylvania | $175–$185 | Above average |
| Massachusetts | $175–$185 | Above average |
| Connecticut | $175–$185 | Above average |
| Wisconsin | $170–$180 | Above average |
| Maryland | $170–$180 | Above average |
| Texas | $170–$180 | Average |
| Minnesota | $168–$178 | Average |
| Washington | $168–$178 | Average |
| Missouri | $165–$175 | Average |
| Colorado | $165–$175 | Average |
| Arizona | $165–$175 | Average |
| Virginia | $162–$172 | Average |
| North Carolina | $160–$170 | Average |
| Tennessee | $160–$170 | Average |
| Oregon | $160–$170 | Average |
| Florida | $158–$168 | Average |
| Georgia | $158–$168 | Average |
| South Carolina | $155–$165 | Average |
| Kentucky | $155–$165 | Average |
| Nevada | $155–$165 | Average |
| Alabama | $152–$162 | Below average |
| Alaska | $140–$150 | Below average |
| Hawaii | $140–$150 | Below average |
Sorted highest to lowest. These are vehicle scrap rates rather than rates for separated metals — clean aluminum or copper sold on its own prices very differently, which is covered under the individual metals in a vehicle.
Why the same car is worth different money in different states
Scrap steel is a commodity, but it is a heavy one, and freight cost is the reason regional variation persists. Metal has to physically reach a mill or a port, so proximity to steel-producing capacity and to export terminals matters enormously. States near major mills or with deepwater ports consistently support higher rates than landlocked states a long haul from either.
Regional demand does the rest. Construction activity, infrastructure spending and manufacturing all consume recycled steel, so an area with strong industrial demand supports higher local prices. Mill capacity that goes offline for maintenance, or a change in export policy in a major buying country, can move rates within weeks.
The practical upshot is that a car in a high-rate state can be worth meaningfully more than the identical vehicle in a low-rate state, before parts value is considered at all. It also means a national-average calculator is wrong nearly everywhere — it overestimates in low-rate states and underestimates in high-rate ones.
What the Rate Difference Looks Like
The same vehicle, same condition, in states at different ends of the table.
The gap widens with weight, because the per-ton difference is multiplied by more tons. It is one reason trucks are worth chasing a good rate on.
Reading a Yard Quote Against the Market
Four things to check before accepting any per-ton price.
| A quote worth taking | A quote worth questioning | |
|---|---|---|
| Basis of the price | Per ton, with your weight class asked about | A flat figure for "any car" |
| Converter | Asked about, and priced separately | Never mentioned |
| Weighing | Certified scales, ticket provided | Estimated by eye |
| Towing | Included, stated up front | Deducted on arrival |
| How long it holds | A stated period, in writing | Subject to change on inspection |
Scrap Metal Price Questions
How often do scrap metal prices change?
Meaningfully month to month, and sometimes faster when mill capacity or export demand shifts. Our table carries a visible update date so you can judge how current it is rather than guessing.
Why is my state so much lower than the national average?
Usually distance from mills and ports. Freight is a real cost on something as heavy as scrap steel, and it comes out of the price paid at the yard.
Are these the prices I get for aluminum or copper too?
No. These are whole-vehicle ferrous rates. Separated non-ferrous metals price far higher per pound but have to be cut out, sorted and cleaned, which is why a whole-vehicle estimate usually nets more than parting it out.
Should I wait for prices to rise before scrapping?
Rarely worth it. Movements are usually modest against the value of a single car, and a vehicle sitting outside deteriorates — a converter can also be stolen while you wait, which costs far more than any likely gain.
Do you pay the published rate?
Your offer is built from the current rate in your state plus parts and converter value, so it generally lands above a pure weight calculation. The table is there so you can check the basis rather than take it on trust.
Lock a number instead of watching the market
Rates move monthly. An offer is held. Ninety seconds, free pickup, cash before the car is loaded.
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