Houston scrap prices track the US board closely and often beat inland cities on ferrous grades, because yards can sell into Ship Channel export cargoes as well as to Texas mills. Copper, brass and aluminum follow COMEX-linked quotes; bring photo ID, and expect payment rules on regulated metals.
Scrap metal prices per lb in Houston
| Scrap type | Price (USD) | Change | Global reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Non-ferrous (per lb) | |||
| Copper Scrap | $5.81 / lb | ▲ +1.22% | $5.81 / lb |
| Aluminum Scrap | $0.87 / lb | ▲ +1.16% | $0.87 / lb |
| Brass Scrap | $3.54 / lb | ▲ +1.14% | $3.54 / lb |
| Stainless Steel Scrap | $0.57 / lb | ▲ +0.00% | $0.57 / lb |
| Lead Scrap | $0.59 / lb | ▲ +0.00% | $0.59 / lb |
| Zinc Scrap | $0.90 / lb | ▲ +0.00% | $0.90 / lb |
| Battery Scrap | $0.23 / lb | ▲ +0.00% | $0.23 / lb |
| Radiator Scrap | $3.34 / lb | ▲ +1.21% | $3.34 / lb |
| Wire Scrap | $2.81 / lb | ▲ +1.44% | $2.81 / lb |
| Cable Scrap | $1.87 / lb | ▲ +1.08% | $1.87 / lb |
| Electronic Scrap | $0.80 / lb | ▲ +1.27% | $0.80 / lb |
| Ferrous and bulk (per ton) | |||
| Steel Scrap | $300 / ton | ▲ +0.00% | $300 / ton |
| Iron Scrap | $264 / ton | ▲ +0.00% | $264 / ton |
| Car Scrap | $360 / ton | ▲ +0.00% | $360 / ton |
| Cast Iron | $288 / ton | ▲ +0.00% | $288 / ton |
Indicative dealer prices for clean, sorted scrap in the United States, shown here for Houston. Individual yards quote around this level by grade, volume and condition; the derivation from exchange benchmarks and the exchange rate (1 USD = 1.00 USD) is described in the methodology section below.
Houston scrap price chart (USD)
Daily open, high, low and close for the most traded scrap metals in USD, the same series Houston yards price against. Scroll to zoom and drag to move along the timeline.
Price history could not be loaded.
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The scrap market in Houston
Houston is one of the deepest scrap markets in the United States. The Ship Channel gives yards a bulk export outlet for ferrous scrap, Texas mills compete for the same tonnes, and the oilfield supplies a steady flow of tubulars, plate and machinery that most cities never see.
That mix keeps ferrous bids firm and gives sellers of clean industrial grades real negotiating room. Non-ferrous prices sit close to the national indicative board, with container exporters competing against domestic consumers for copper, aluminum and insulated wire.
- State
- Texas, United States
- Quoted in
- USD per lb (non-ferrous), per ton (ferrous)
- Yards cluster in
- North Loop, 610 East, Pasadena, US 290
- Demand from
- Ship Channel exports, Texas mills, oilfield turnaround work
Where the scrap yards are in Houston
- North Loop and the 610 East corridor: the densest run of full-service yards near the Ship Channel docks.
- East End and Pasadena: industrial and demolition scrap close to the refineries and terminals.
- Northwest and US 290: retail yards serving contractors and household sellers.
- South Houston and Pearland: mixed retail and auto scrap, with several u-pull operations.
What pays well in Houston
- Oilfield tubulars, plate and structural steel cut to size.
- Number 1 copper and stripped bare bright from electrical and demolition work.
- Aluminum extrusion and clean cast from fabrication shops.
Selling scrap metal in Houston: rules, ID and payment
Texas requires metal recyclers to record the seller's photo ID and vehicle details, photograph regulated materials, and in many cases pay by check or delay payment for items such as copper wire, catalytic converters and air-conditioning coils. Bring ID, proof of ownership for vehicles, and expect a thumbprint at some yards.
Before any sale, check the live board above, sort by grade and get quotes from two or three buyers; the best scrap price guide covers the routine and the calculator turns a weight into a figure at today's price. To judge whether a local quote is competitive, our note on telling a well-paying yard from a headline rate sets out the benchmark test.
Houston scrap price FAQ
What is the scrap copper price in Houston today?
As of the latest update, the indicative price for clean number 1 copper is about $5.81 per lb in USD. Houston yards typically quote within a few percent of that figure either side, depending on grade, volume and the buyer; the live board above shows all fifteen grades.
Where can I sell scrap metal in Houston?
Licensed yards run along the North Loop and 610 East near the Ship Channel, through the East End and Pasadena, and out US 290 on the northwest side. Call two or three with your grades and weights before you drive; spreads between Houston yards are wider than most sellers expect.
Why are ferrous prices strong in Houston?
Yards can sell steel scrap two ways: into bulk export cargoes loading on the Ship Channel or to Texas electric arc furnace mills. When export bids rise, Houston boards move within days, which keeps heavy melt and plate prices ahead of most inland cities.
Are Houston prices different from the national board?
The board on this page is the the United States indicative level, and Houston yards trade around it rather than exactly on it. Local competition, freight to the nearest consumer and the day's export demand set the spread, which is why two quotes in the same city can differ by several percent on the same morning.
Sources and methodology
The Houston board uses the the United States indicative prices: global exchange benchmarks (COMEX copper, CME aluminum and steel, NYMEX platinum and palladium, IMF monthly lead, zinc and nickel) multiplied by typical yard recovery shares, a local market factor of 1.00 and the day's exchange rate. The full method, the recovery shares and the correction policy are on our editorial policy page; local notes on this page are reviewed against published dealer information and reader corrections sent to info@scrappricetoday.com.
Prices are indicative and for information only; they are not offers to buy or sell. Yard quotes in Houston vary by grade, volume, condition and buyer.
Nearby and related
Scrap metal prices in the United States · All countries · Catalytic converter prices