How Much Does a CT Scan Cost?

Median cash price $375 Most people pay $300–$535
$375 median $0 $800+

Full range $90–$3,145 · Based on cash prices from 167 clinics · Updated June 2026

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A CT scan (also called a CAT scan) is usually priced between an X-ray and an MRI — but, like both, the cash price depends heavily on where you go and whether contrast is used. The figures above are the real self-pay prices clinics publish, so you can compare before you book.

What makes a CT scan cost more or less?

  • Contrast. A CT "with contrast" (an iodine-based dye, given by IV or by mouth) costs more than a scan without it.
  • Body part. A single-region scan (head, chest) is generally cheaper than a multi-region study like chest/abdomen/pelvis together.
  • Facility. Hospital and ER imaging is far pricier than the same scan at an outpatient imaging center.
  • Specialty studies. A coronary CT angiogram or CT colonography is priced above a standard scan.

How to pay less for a CT scan

Avoiding the ER for non-emergencies and choosing a standalone imaging center is the biggest saving. When you call, give the exact study and whether contrast is needed, and ask for the all-in cash price including the radiologist's reading. Many centers offer a self-pay rate below the insurance-billed price.

CT scan cash prices by U.S. region

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

$235 $650 Not enough data

Lowest: Southwest ($235) · Highest: Mountain West ($650)

Frequently asked questions

What's the difference between a CT scan and a CAT scan?
Nothing — they're two names for the same test (computed tomography). "CAT" is just the older term.
Why does contrast change the price?
Contrast adds the cost of the dye and the extra time and staff to administer it, so a "with contrast" scan is priced higher than one without.
Is a CT scan cheaper at an imaging center than a hospital?
Almost always. The same scan can cost several times more in a hospital or ER than at an outpatient imaging center.
Do I need a referral for a CT scan?
Most centers require a doctor's order. Some offer self-pay scans without one — each clinic's page shows what's required.

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MRI cost All imaging costs

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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 — CT scan 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.