How Much Does a Lumbar Spine CT Cost?

Median cash price $350 Most people pay $300–$540
$350 median $0 $800+

Full range $225–$2,965 · Based on cash prices clinics publish · Updated October 2026

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A lumbar spine CT images the lower back — typically ordered after an injury, for suspected fractures or bone problems, or when an MRI isn't an option (a pacemaker, certain implants, or claustrophobia). The figures above are real self-pay prices clinics publish for lumbar spine CT studies.

What moves the price of a lumbar spine CT?

  • Where you go. The identical spine CT is usually far cheaper at a standalone imaging center than at a hospital.
  • Contrast. Most spine CTs for bone problems are done without contrast; confirm the exact order before you ask for quotes.
  • How many regions. A lumbar-only study costs less than imaging multiple spine regions. Your doctor's order will name the region.

Lumbar Spine CT cash prices by U.S. region

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

$260 $400 Not enough data

Lowest: Southwest ($260) · Highest: California ($400)

Frequently asked questions

CT vs. MRI for back pain — which do I need?
A CT is better for bone (fractures, alignment); an MRI is better for discs and nerves. It's a medical call — get the study your doctor ordered, then compare prices for that exact study.
Do I need a referral for a spine CT?
Most centers ask for a doctor's order. 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.

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Cervical spine CT cost CT scan cost (all studies) X-ray cost

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 — Lumbar Spine 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.