How Much Does a Chest CT Scan Cost?

Median cash price $350 Most people pay $325–$525
$350 median $0 $800+

Full range $225–$3,480 · Based on cash prices clinics publish · Updated October 2026

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A chest CT looks at the lungs, airways, and chest in far more detail than an X-ray — it's the standard follow-up for a questionable chest X-ray finding, a persistent cough, or lung nodule monitoring. The figures above are real self-pay prices clinics publish for chest CT studies.

What moves the price of a chest CT?

  • Where you go. Standalone imaging centers usually charge a fraction of hospital outpatient prices for the identical chest CT.
  • Contrast. A routine lung check is often done without contrast; studies looking at blood vessels or lymph nodes may need it, at a higher price. Confirm the exact order.
  • The specific protocol. A low-dose screening CT for lung cancer (for long-time smokers) is a different, usually cheaper study than a full diagnostic chest CT. Name the exact study when you ask for quotes.

Chest CT cash prices by U.S. region

Cash prices vary by where you live. Each region is shaded by its median Chest CT cash price (green = cheaper, blue = pricier); gray regions don't have enough clinics to report yet.

$225 $375 Not enough data

Lowest: Southwest ($225) · Highest: Mid-Atlantic ($375)

Frequently asked questions

Is a low-dose lung screening CT the same as a chest CT?
No — it's a specific screening protocol, typically cheaper than a diagnostic chest CT, offered to people at higher risk from smoking history. If that's what you're after, ask for the low-dose screening price specifically.
Do I need a referral for a chest CT?
Most centers ask for a doctor's order. Some offer self-pay scans without one — each clinic's page shows what's required.
Does the price include the radiologist's reading?
Not always. Ask for the all-in price with the interpretation included, so there are no surprises.

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Chest X-ray cost CT scan cost (all studies) Imaging prices by metro

Use this data

Writing about healthcare prices? You're welcome to cite these figures with a link back to this page. Embed the live price-range chart:

Source: Expected Health — Chest CT cost

These are self-reported cash (self-pay) prices collected from clinics and standardized to a common procedure so the same scan is compared like-for-like; they may have changed since collection. They are estimates for general guidance, not quotes — you can confirm current pricing by contacting the clinic directly. Insurance pricing differs from cash pricing. This page is not medical or financial advice.