How Much Is a Bushel of Crabs? (Before You Buy)
A bushel of blue crabs usually costs between $120 and $450 in 2026 when you buy locally, depending on size, gender, and season. Small or mixed crabs start around $120, while large males run $350 to $450. Jumbo bushels shipped overnight can cost $650 or more.
Prices change weekly with demand, season, and local supply. The biggest gap is not size, though. It is where you buy, and the same bushel can cost twice as much once it is shipped to your door.
Average Price for a Bushel of Crabs
What a bushel of male blue crabs typically costs by size in 2026, and how many crabs you get.
| Crab size | Crabs per bushel | Price per bushel | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small or mixed (5 to 5.5 in) | About 7 dozen | $120 to $250 | Picking, soups, big groups |
| Medium (5.5 to 6 in) | 6 to 7 dozen | $240 to $350 | Most popular all-rounder |
| Large (6 to 6.5 in) | About 6 dozen | $350 to $450 | A meaty crab feast |
| Jumbo (6.5 in and up) | About 5 dozen | $450 to $650+ | Special occasions |
Prices checked at Maryland seafood markets and online crab shippers in October 2026. Shipped bushels cost more because of packing and overnight delivery.
Important thing to know: Prices usually rise in early summer when demand peaks, then often drop in late summer and early fall when crabs are plentiful. Female crabs are usually cheaper than males of the same size.
How Much Does a Half Bushel Cost?
A half bushel typically costs $60 to $325, a little more than half the price of a full bushel at most sellers. It holds about 2.5 to 3.5 dozen crabs depending on size, enough for 4 to 6 people.
Bushel Prices by Region (2026):
Maryland and Chesapeake Bay. $120 to $450+ locally. The most famous blue crabs, and the priciest in large and jumbo grades.
Louisiana and Gulf Coast. Often cheaper than Maryland thanks to a large local harvest.
Texas Gulf. Among the cheaper regions when crabs are in season.
Online with shipping. $365 to $650+ for a shipped bushel. You pay extra for packing and overnight delivery, so local pickup is almost always better value.
Why Are Crabs So Expensive?
Prices have climbed for several reasons.
- Limited wild catch. Stricter conservation rules cap how many crabs can be harvested, keeping supply tight.
- Rising fuel and transport costs. Getting crabs from the water to your table costs more than it used to, from boat fuel and bait to trucking and ice.
- High seasonal demand. Summer crab feasts push prices up when everyone wants them at once.
- Weather dependence. A storm or cold snap can shrink supply and push prices up within days.
- Labor and prep. Steamed and seasoned crabs from a retail crab house cost noticeably more than the same crabs bought live.
Where to Buy a Bushel of Crabs:
Searching for a bushel of crabs near you? These are your main options, from cheapest to most expensive:
- Docks and watermen. The lowest prices, but you need to live near the water.
- Local seafood markets. Good prices and you can pick your size.
- Crab houses. Often sell steamed and seasoned bushels to go, for a bit more.
- Online crab shippers. The most expensive, but they deliver live or steamed crabs overnight anywhere in the U.S.
Call ahead before you go. Most sellers sell out fast on summer weekends.
Tips for Buying Crabs at the Best Price
- Buy in season. Crabs are cheapest and meatiest from late summer into early fall. Avoid the early-season price spike.
- Compare dockside vs market. Buying straight from the dock or a local seafood market usually beats restaurant and online prices.
- Check they are alive and active. Live, lively crabs mean freshness. Sluggish or dead crabs are a bad sign.
- Match size to the use. Smaller crabs suit picking and soups. Save the pricey jumbos for a centerpiece feast.
- Buy local. Local crabs skip the shipping cost and arrive fresher than national distributors.
Conclusion
A bushel of crabs costs about $250 to $600 in 2026, with small crabs near $250 and jumbo grades reaching $600 or more. A half bushel runs $150 to $300 and feeds 4 to 6 people.
Buy in season, compare local sellers, and check for lively crabs to get the best value. Prices shift weekly, so confirm with your vendor before you order.
(FAQs):
A: About 5 to 7 dozen (60 to 84 crabs), depending on size. Small crabs fill a bushel with about 7 dozen, while jumbos fill it with about 5.
A: Comfortably 4 to 6 people at a crab feast, especially with sides.
A: Roughly 4 to 8 pounds after cleaning and picking. Blue crabs yield only about 14 percent of their live weight as meat, so heavier crabs give you more.
