How Much Does a Head CT Scan Cost?

Median cash price $310 Most people pay $305–$515
$310 median $0 $600+

Full range $185–$3,065 · Based on cash prices clinics publish · Updated October 2026

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A head CT is fast, widely available, and the standard first scan after a head injury or for sudden severe symptoms — and for anything non-urgent, it's also one of the scans with the biggest price spread between an ER, a hospital, and a standalone imaging center. The figures above are real self-pay prices clinics publish for head CT studies.

What moves the price of a head CT?

  • Where you go. The same head CT can cost several times more in an emergency department than at a standalone imaging center. For a non-urgent, doctor-ordered scan, the facility is the biggest lever on price.
  • Contrast. Most head CTs for injury or headache are done without contrast. A "with contrast" or "with and without" study costs more — confirm the exact order.
  • Whether the reading is included. Ask for the all-in price with the radiologist's interpretation.

Frequently asked questions

Head CT vs. brain MRI — which do I need?
That's a medical call: CT is fast and great for injury and bleeding; MRI shows more soft-tissue detail and is often the follow-up. A head CT is typically much cheaper than a brain MRI — but get the study your doctor ordered.
Do I need a referral for a head CT?
Most centers ask for a doctor's order. Some offer self-pay scans without one — each clinic's page shows what's required.
When is an ER the wrong place for a head CT?
If your symptoms are an emergency, go to the ER — price is irrelevant. But for a non-urgent, scheduled scan, an ER or hospital outpatient department is usually the most expensive possible setting for the identical study.

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Brain MRI cost CT scan cost (all studies) Imaging prices by metro

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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 — Head 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.