Insulated Copper Wire Scrap Price Trends

over the last 30 days

In the last month in the Insulated Copper Wire category: price is up for 2 grades, price is steady for 7 grades, and price is down for 4 grades.

How Have Prices Moved Over the Last 52 Weeks?
Over the past year, the category average ranged from $1.27 to $1.93.
May '25Aug '25Nov '25Feb '26Today
How Yard Prices Track the Exchange (COMEX)
Average discount to the exchange for this category: ~68.8% (-$4.19 / lb). Based on 13 grades with exchange data. Normal range for this category: 30%–92%.
✓ All 13 grades are within normal market range

U.S. National Price Benchmark — Insulated Copper Wire in Texas

Local scrap yards in Texas sometimes post their prices with a short delay. To keep you informed of what your metal is worth right now, we use U.S. national averages as a reference. The secondary metals market responds to exchange moves in sync across the country — use this national benchmark when negotiating with local buyers. Insulated Copper Wire prices across the U.S. →

Current Insulated Copper Wire Prices in Texas by Grade

Here is the Insulated Copper Wire data we have on file for Texas. Local yards don't always update their online prices daily — if your grade isn't listed, use the National Benchmark above as leverage when negotiating with local buyers.

MCM & Industrial Cable Based on 1 yard
Avg. Price:$4.25 / lbRange: $4.25 – $4.25 / lb
Trend for 30 days: -0.6%
View Details
THHN Wire Based on 1 yard
Avg. Price:$3.85 / lbRange: $3.85 – $3.85 / lb
Trend for 30 days: 0.0%
View Details
Romex® Wire Based on 2 yards
Avg. Price:$2.63 / lbRange: $2.20 – $3.05 / lb
Trend for 30 days: -11.8%
View Details
#1 Insulated Wire Based on 4 yards
Avg. Price:$2.49 / lbRange: $2.40 – $2.57 / lb
Trend for 30 days: -6.1%
View Details
Coax & Heliax Cable Based on 1 yard
Avg. Price:$2.25 / lbRange: $2.25 – $2.25 / lb
Trend for 90 days: -6.3%
View Details
Telecom & Data Wire Based on 1 yard
Avg. Price:$2.20 / lbRange: $2.20 – $2.20 / lb
Trend for 30 days: 0.0%
View Details
+5.9% / 6 mo.
Wire Harnesses U.S. national average
Avg. Price:$1.70 / lbRange: $1.60 – $1.80 / lb
Trend for 6 mo.: +5.9%
View Details
+5.2% / 30 days
#2 Insulated Wire Based on 4 yards
Avg. Price:$1.52 / lbRange: $1.20 – $1.83 / lb
Trend for 30 days: +5.2%
View Details
Jelly Wire U.S. national average
Avg. Price:$1.10 / lbRange: $0.90 – $1.30 / lb
Trend for 6 mo.: -10.9%
View Details
Armored Cable (BX) Based on 1 yard
Avg. Price:$1.00 / lbRange: $1.00 – $1.00 / lb
Trend for 6 mo.: 0.0%
View Details
Computer Wire U.S. national average
Avg. Price:$0.65 / lbRange: $0.40 – $0.90 / lb
Trend for 30 days: 0.0%
View Details
Avg. Price:$0.60 / lbRange: $0.60 – $0.60 / lb
Trend for 30 days: 0.0%
View Details
Christmas Lights Based on 1 yard
Avg. Price:$0.50 / lbRange: $0.50 – $0.50 / lb
Trend for 30 days: 0.0%
View Details

Where to Sell Insulated Copper Wire for Top Dollar in Texas

Live prices from local scrap yards in Texas. Compare offers and find the buyer paying the most.

💼 Scrap yard owners: Post your buy prices and get more customers
By price
By date
Updated today

Astro City Scrap Metal

Houston, Texas7 grades on price list
Extension Cord
$1.45 / lb|🠅 $0.10 (7%)
High Recovery 90% or more (Big Wire)
$4.25 / lb|🠅 $0.10 (2%)
#1 Insulated (Size 10 and 12 THNN)
$3.85 / lb|🠇 $0.05 (1%)
#1 Insulated (Romex)
$3.05 / lb|🠇 $0.05 (2%)
#2 Insulated (Cat 5 or Cat 6)
$2.20 / lb|🠅 $0.10 (5%)
Heliax Cable Open Eye
$2.25 / lb|🠇 $0.15 (6%)
BX Iron
$1.00 / lb|🠇 $0.05 (5%)
Updated 4/30/2026

CMC Recycling

Fort Worth, Texas2 grades on price list
Insulated CU Wire #1 50%
$2.57 / lb|🠇 $0.16 (6%)
Insulated CU Wire #2 40%
$1.83 / lb|🠇 $0.19 (9%)
Updated 3/26/2026

Cleveland Recycling Inc.

Cleveland, Texas4 grades on price list
INS #1 COPPER WIRE
$2.40 / lb|🠇 $0.40 (14%)
INS# 2 EXT. CORD (40%)
$0.80 / lb|🠅 $0.25 (45%)
LOW GRADE
$0.40 / lb|🠅 $0.05 (14%)
INS# 1 ROMEX WIRE
$2.20 / lb|🠅 $0.40 (22%)
Updated 3/2/2026

Durham Core Inc.

Forest Hill, Texas5 grades on price list
CU Ins 65 % Insulated #1
$2.00 / lb|🠅 $1.00 (100%)
CU Ins 50 % Insulated #2
$1.00 / lb
Low Grade Insulated Wire
$0.60 / lb
88 % MCM
$2.70 / lb
Wire Harness
$1.00 / lb
Updated 2/17/2026

Decatur Iron & Metal Recycling

Decatur, Texas3 grades on price list
#1 Insulated Copper
$1.80 / lb
#2 Insulated Copper
$1.20 / lb
#3 Insulated Copper
$0.60 / lb
Updated 2/17/2026

Eastland Iron and Metal Recycling LLC

Eastland, Texas2 grades on price list
Copper #2 Insulated
$1.20 / lb
Copper #3 Insulated
$0.60 / lb

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Insulated Copper Wire Price Chart & History

See how local yard buy prices track the exchange (COMEX). Use this chart to judge whether it's a good time to cash in now or wait for yards to catch up with the latest exchange move.

Insulated Wire Value & Recovery Calculator

Selling a mixed load? Pick the grades below — a weight field appears after you select at least one grade, then the calculator estimates your haul's value from current average prices Texas.

Select a metal above to estimate value

Wire Recovery Rates: How Much Copper Is Inside?

Біржова ціна відображає чистий перероблений метал (99,9%+). У кожної марки лому різний рівень домішок і різна складність переробки. Чим вищий відсоток, тим цінніша марка і тим ближче виплата до спотової ціни.

GradeExchange (100%)Yard Price (per lb)Grade Quality
MCM & Industrial Cable $6.09 COMEX$4.25
High Grade70%
THHN Wire $6.09 COMEX$3.85
High Grade63%
Romex® Wire $6.09 COMEX$2.63
Mid Grade43%
#1 Insulated Wire $6.09 COMEX$2.49
Mid Grade41%
Coax & Heliax Cable $6.09 COMEX$2.25
Mid Grade37%
Telecom & Data Wire $6.09 COMEX$2.20
Mid Grade36%
Wire Harnesses $6.09 COMEX$1.70
Low Grade28%
#2 Insulated Wire $6.09 COMEX$1.52
Low Grade25%
Jelly Wire $6.09 COMEX$1.10
Low Grade18%
Armored Cable (BX) $6.09 COMEX$1.00
Low Grade16%
Computer Wire $6.09 COMEX$0.65
Low Grade11%
#3 Insulated Wire (Low Grade) $6.09 COMEX$0.60
Low Grade10%
Christmas Lights $6.09 COMEX$0.50
Low Grade8%

📊 What Determines Grade Value:

  • Copper Recovery Percentage: The ratio of actual copper weight to plastic insulation weight is the #1 factor. Grades like THHN Wire have high recovery and command better prices.
  • Wire Gauge: Thicker individual strands (found in #1 Insulated) are easier for processors to granulate than hair-thin strands.
  • Contamination: Attachments like plugs, steel armor on Armored Cable (BX), or jelly filling in Jelly Wire increase processing costs.
  • Metal Purity: Whether the copper inside is silver-coated (tinned) or clean red copper determines if it stays at a #1 or drops to a #2 grade.
💡 Pro tip: Never mix your high-recovery MCM & Industrial Cable with thin Telecom & Data Wire. Most yards will grade the entire bin at the lowest recovery rate, potentially losing you a significant percentage of your payout.