Price trends for insulated copper wire by grade

over the last 6 months

In the last 6 months in the Insulated Copper Wire category: price is up for 3 grades, price is steady for 9 grades, and price is down for 1 grade.

How Have Prices Moved Over the Last 52 Weeks?
Over the past year, the category average ranged from $1.16 to $1.75.
Jun '25Sep '25Dec '25Mar '26Today
How Yard Prices Track the Exchange (COMEX)
Average discount to the exchange for this category: ~73.9% (-$4.80/ lb). Based on 13 grades with exchange data. Normal range for this category: 36%–97%.
✓ All 13 grades are within normal market range

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

Local scrap yards in Virginia 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. →

Insulated Copper Wire scrap prices by grade in Virginia

Here is the Insulated Copper Wire data we have on file for Virginia. 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.

+3.8% / 90 days
MCM & Industrial Cable U.S. national average
Avg. Price:$4.15/ lbRange: $3.80 – $4.50/ lb
Trend for 90 days: +3.8%
View Details
THHN Wire U.S. national average
Avg. Price:$3.65/ lbRange: $3.25 – $4.05/ lb
Trend for 90 days: 0.0%
View Details
Romex® Wire Based on 2 yards
Avg. Price:$2.25/ lbRange: $2.00 – $2.50/ lb
Trend for 30 days: 0.0%
View Details
+13.8% / 6 mo.
#1 Insulated Wire Based on 3 yards
Avg. Price:$2.20/ lbRange: $1.70 – $2.70/ lb
Trend for 6 mo.: +13.8%
View Details
Coax & Heliax Cable U.S. national average
Avg. Price:$2.18/ lbRange: $2.10 – $2.25/ lb
Trend for 6 mo.: -3.7%
View Details
+9.3% / 90 days
Telecom & Data Wire U.S. national average
Avg. Price:$1.80/ lbRange: $1.40 – $2.20/ lb
Trend for 90 days: +9.3%
View Details
#2 Insulated Wire Based on 4 yards
Avg. Price:$1.50/ lbRange: $1.20 – $1.80/ lb
Trend for 6 mo.: +1.7%
View Details
Jelly Wire U.S. national average
Avg. Price:$1.10/ lbRange: $0.90 – $1.30/ lb
Trend for 30 days: 0.0%
View Details
Armored Cable (BX) U.S. national average
Avg. Price:$0.78/ lbRange: $0.75 – $0.80/ lb
Trend for 30 days: +1.7%
View Details
Avg. Price:$0.75/ lbRange: $0.50 – $1.00/ lb
Trend for 30 days: 0.0%
View Details
Wire Harnesses Based on 1 yard
Avg. Price:$0.75/ lbRange: $0.75 – $0.75/ lb
Trend for 30 days: 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
Christmas Lights Based on 2 yards
Avg. Price:$0.25/ lbRange: $0.20 – $0.30/ lb
Trend for 30 days: 0.0%
View Details

Scrap yards paying the most for insulated copper wire in Virginia

Live prices from local scrap yards in Virginia. 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 5/22/2026

C & C Cullet LLC

Ashland, Virginia4 grades on price list
#1 Insulated Copper Wire
$2.70/ lb|🠅 $0.20 (8%)
#2 Insulated Copper Wire
$1.70/ lb|🠅 $0.20 (13%)
Insulated Copper Wire #3
$1.00/ lb
Romex
$2.50/ lb|🠅 $0.25 (11%)
Updated 5/4/2026

Three Rivers Iron Metal

Fairmont, West Virginia4 grades on price list
Regular-Insulated Copper #1
$1.70/ lb|🠇 $0.30 (15%)
Regular-Insulated Copper #2
$1.10/ lb|🠅 $0.10 (10%)
Low-Yield Insulated Copper
$0.50/ lb|🠅 $0.10 (25%)
Copper Insulated Housewire
$1.70/ lb|🠇 $0.20 (11%)
Updated 5/4/2026

Charleston Area Metal Recycling

Charleston, West Virginia3 grades on price list
Regular-Insulated Copper #1
$1.30/ lb|🠅 $0.10 (8%)
Regular-Insulated Copper #2
$1.10/ lb|🠅 $0.10 (10%)
Low-Yield Insulated Copper
$0.50/ lb|🠅 $0.10 (25%)
Updated 3/4/2026

Ashley Metal Recycling LLC

Mineral Wells, West Virginia2 grades on price list
Insulated Copper Wire # 1
$1.40/ lb|🠅 $0.20 (17%)
Insulated Copper (Christmas lights)
$0.20/ lb
Updated 2/17/2026

Empire Metal Recycling

Suffolk, Virginia5 grades on price list
#2 Insulated Copper (Drop Cords)
$1.00/ lb|🠅 $0.60 (150%)
#3 Insulated Copper
$0.30/ lb|🠇 $0.10 (25%)
#1 Insulated Copper (Romex 65%)
$2.00/ lb|🠅 $0.47 (31%)
Wire Harness
$0.75/ lb|🠇 $0.10 (12%)
XMAS Copper Wire
$0.30/ lb|🠅 $0.20 (200%)
Updated 2/17/2026

Elkins Metal Recycling

Elkins, West Virginia3 grades on price list
Insulated Copper #1
$2.00/ lb|🠅 $0.10 (5%)
Insulated Copper #2
$1.20/ lb|🠅 $0.10 (9%)
Insulated Copper (Low)
$0.60/ lb|🠅 $0.10 (20%)

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Price chart: insulated copper wire grades and COMEX Copper exchange data

The chart shows average yard buyout rates and COMEX Copper exchange data for your selected insulated copper wire grade. When the exchange moves up and local yard prices lag, they typically follow within a few trading days — a signal to hold if you can. When both lines drop, sell now before yards update their offers downward. Switch grades using the selector above the chart.

Calculate the value of your insulated copper wire lot

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 Virginia.

Select a metal above to estimate value

Compare insulated copper wire grades and their value

Insulated wire pricing is always a discount to bare copper (COMEX basis) — the yard factors in the cost of stripping or processing the insulation to recover the copper. Identifying your material correctly before selling is the single most effective step to maximize your payout.

GradeExchange (100%)Yard Price (per lb)Grade Quality
MCM & Industrial Cable $6.49/ lb COMEX$4.15/ lb
High Grade64%
THHN Wire $6.49/ lb COMEX$3.65/ lb
High Grade56%
Romex® Wire $6.49/ lb COMEX$2.25/ lb
Mid Grade35%
#1 Insulated Wire $6.49/ lb COMEX$2.20/ lb
Mid Grade34%
Coax & Heliax Cable $6.49/ lb COMEX$2.18/ lb
Mid Grade34%
Telecom & Data Wire $6.49/ lb COMEX$1.80/ lb
Mid Grade28%
#2 Insulated Wire $6.49/ lb COMEX$1.50/ lb
Low Grade23%
Jelly Wire $6.49/ lb COMEX$1.10/ lb
Low Grade17%
Armored Cable (BX) $6.49/ lb COMEX$0.78/ lb
Low Grade12%
#3 Insulated Wire (Low Grade) $6.49/ lb COMEX$0.75/ lb
Low Grade12%
Wire Harnesses $6.49/ lb COMEX$0.75/ lb
Low Grade12%
Computer Wire $6.49/ lb COMEX$0.65/ lb
Low Grade10%
Christmas Lights $6.49/ lb COMEX$0.25/ lb
Low Grade4%

📊 What determines the value of insulated copper wire:

  • Recovery percentage: #1 insulated wire (Romex, THHN) has ~75–80% copper recovery; #2 insulated (mixed, thicker insulation) drops to ~45–65%. Yards price accordingly.
  • Strip it yourself: Stripping THHN or Romex converts it to bare bright copper — which pays 40–60¢/lb more in most markets. Do the math on large loads.
  • MCM & industrial cable: Large-gauge aluminum or copper power cable; priced per pound based on conductor metal and insulation type.
  • Christmas lights / computer wire: Low-grade, thin conductor — the lowest paying category because recovery is under 30%.
  • Coax / Heliax: Specialty cable with copper/aluminum center; priced separately at most yards — don't mix with standard insulated wire.
💡 Tip: THHN, Romex, and similar building wire can often be stripped for bare bright copper pricing instead of selling insulated.