How much does a CT scan cost?
A CT scan's price depends on the body part and whether contrast dye is used — and, like most hospital care, on which hospital you go to. For a head CT, one of the most common, the cash self-pay price has a median around $1,100, ranging from about $300 at the cheapest tenth of hospitals to over $3,400 at the priciest. If you're insured, the negotiated rate is much lower on average — a median around $340. See current head-CT prices →
Why the price varies so much
Hospitals set their own charges and negotiate separately with each insurer, so the same scan carries many different prices — and two hospitals a few miles apart can differ by several times. A head CT runs roughly 10× more at the priciest hospitals than the cheapest. A more expensive scan is not a better scan — for non-emergency imaging, comparing is worth it.
The three prices to know
- Cash / self-pay price — what you pay directly without insurance.
- Negotiated price — the rate a specific insurance plan agreed to pay.
- Gross / chargemaster price — the list price before any discount; almost nobody pays it.
Which is lower depends on the hospital. More on cash vs. negotiated →
How to find — and lower — your price
- Look up the exact scan. A head CT, a chest CT, and an abdominal CT are different procedures with different prices, and adding contrast dye costs more. Search the specific one in the procedures list.
- Consider a freestanding imaging center. They're often much cheaper than a hospital for a routine CT.
- Confirm before you book. Ask the billing office for the price in writing for that procedure code, and whether contrast is included.
Where these numbers come from
Straight from each hospital's federally-mandated price file (required since 2021 under 45 §180) — published figures for comparison, not estimates and not a quote. How we source this →
Frequently asked questions
Is a CT scan cheaper without insurance?
Usually not. The uninsured cash price for a head CT has a median around $1,100, while the median negotiated insurance rate is closer to $340. If you have insurance, your plan's rate is often lower — but it's always worth comparing both.
Why does a CT scan cost more at one hospital than another?
Hospitals set prices independently and negotiate separately with each insurer, so the same scan can cost 10x more at one hospital than another. A higher price doesn't mean a better scan.
Does contrast dye change the price?
Yes. A CT with contrast, or with and without contrast, is a separate, more expensive procedure than a CT without contrast. Make sure you're comparing the same one.
Where is a CT scan cheapest?
Freestanding imaging centers and outpatient clinics are often much cheaper than hospitals for a routine CT. Compare the specific hospitals and centers near you.
Related
Prices in this guide are as of June 2026 and link to the live page for current figures. Published data is for comparison, not a quote — always confirm with the hospital. Spotted something off? Submit a correction.