A CT scan costs $160 to $3,000 without insurance in 2026
A CT scan costs $160 to $3,000 without insurance in 2026. Where you go matters most, because imaging centers charge far less than hospitals. MDsave lists a CT scan with no contrast from $160 to $929. CareRoute lists freestanding centers at $250 to $750 and hospital outpatient scans at $800 to $3,000. ThePricer says a hospital inpatient scan runs about $4,750. Body part and contrast change the price too. Ask for the cash price before you book.
What price guides say
We checked 4 price guides and read every number on their pages on October 7, 2026. They do not all measure the same thing, so read each line for what it counts.
| Source | What it found |
|---|---|
| MDsave | MDsave lists a CT scan without contrast of any one body part at $160 to $929, with a national average of $353. |
| CareRoute | CareRoute lists uninsured CT scans at $250 to $3,000 with a national average of $1,200, and freestanding centers at $250 to $750. |
| Freemarket Healthcare | Freemarket Healthcare lists a head CT at $300 to $2,000, a chest CT at $300 to $2,500, and an abdomen and pelvis CT at $500 to $3,500. |
| ThePricer | ThePricer lists a scheduled CT without insurance at $300 to $6,750, an outpatient imaging center near $525, and hospital inpatient imaging near $4,750. |
CT scan price by setting and body part
| Setting or scan | Price | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Freestanding imaging center | $250 to $750 | CareRoute |
| Hospital outpatient | $800 to $3,000 | CareRoute |
| Emergency room | $1,500 to $5,000+ | CareRoute |
| One body part, no contrast | $160 to $929 | MDsave |
| Head, no contrast, imaging center | $250 to $500 | CareRoute |
| Chest | $300 to $2,500 | Freemarket Healthcare |
| Abdomen and pelvis together | $500 to $3,500 | Freemarket Healthcare |
| Low dose lung screening | $100 to $400 | Freemarket Healthcare |
Every number in this table was read on one of the source pages listed at the bottom of this page.
What pushes the price up
| What | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Where you go | CareRoute lists freestanding centers at $250 to $750 and hospital outpatient scans at $800 to $3,000. The ER is higher, at $1,500 to $5,000 or more. |
| Body part | A head scan is priced lower than a combined abdomen and pelvis scan. Freemarket Healthcare lists head scans at $300 to $2,000 and abdomen and pelvis at $500 to $3,500. |
| Contrast dye | Contrast helps doctors see more detail. CareRoute says it adds $100 to $300, and Freemarket says IV contrast adds about $100 to $400. |
| Number of scans | ThePricer lists an added CT in the same visit at $160 at a freestanding center, so each added body part adds cost. |
| Cash or insured | Cash prices at a center can be well below the hospital bill. Ask for a self pay price and compare two or three places. |
What the price includes
The price usually covers the scan itself and the use of the machine. The radiologist who reads the images may bill you apart. Contrast dye is often extra, with IV contrast at about $100 to $400 and oral contrast near $20 to $50. Hospital bills may add facility fees and a visit fee. It does not include tax or extras the provider adds on the day.
Does insurance cover it
Most health plans cover a CT scan when a doctor orders it for a medical reason. Many plans ask for prior approval first, so call before you book. After your deductible, Freemarket Healthcare says coinsurance of 20% to 30% may bring your share to about $60 to $450 per scan, or a flat copay of $75 to $250. Plans may pay less at hospitals than at imaging centers. Ask which sites are in network, and ask if the radiologist is in network too.
When a doctor orders it
Doctors order a CT scan when they need a clear look inside your body. They may use it after an injury, to check for bleeding, to find an infection, or to look at a lump or pain they cannot explain. Some people get a low dose scan to screen for lung cancer. Your doctor decides which body part to scan and whether you need contrast dye.
How to judge your quote
- Ask if the quote is for the scan and the radiologist read.
- Ask if the price includes contrast dye.
- Ask for the cash price at an imaging center and a hospital.
- Ask how many body parts the price covers.
- Compare the total with the range above: $160 to $3,000 per scan for most people in 2026.
Ways to pay less
- Choose a freestanding imaging center. ThePricer lists a single scan at $300 there, while hospital inpatient imaging runs about $4,750.
- Shop on MDsave. It lists CT scans of one body part with no contrast from $160 to $929, with a national average of $353.
- Ask for the cash price before you book. Many centers give a lower self pay rate than the amount they bill insurance.
- Ask if you need contrast. Skipping it can save $100 to $400 if your doctor says the scan is fine without it.
- Ask your doctor to send the order to a center, not the hospital. The same scan can cost thousands less outside the hospital.
How we got these numbers
The range on this page comes from MDsave, CareRoute, Freemarket Healthcare and ThePricer. We opened each source page and read every number on it on October 7, 2026. Where the sources disagree, the table above shows each one so you can see the spread. These are planning ranges, not quotes. The written price you are given is the real price.
Common questions
How much does a CT scan cost without insurance?
Most cash prices run $160 to $3,000. CareRoute lists a national average of $1,200, while MDsave lists $353 for one body part with no contrast.
Why is a hospital CT scan so costly?
Hospitals add facility fees. CareRoute lists hospital outpatient scans at $800 to $3,000, against $250 to $750 at imaging centers.
How much does contrast add?
CareRoute says contrast adds $100 to $300. Freemarket Healthcare says IV contrast adds about $100 to $400 and oral contrast about $20 to $50.
Is a CT scan cheaper than an MRI?
This page does not price MRI scans. Check each price on its own before you decide, and ask your doctor which scan you need.
How much is a lung screening CT?
Freemarket Healthcare lists a low dose lung cancer screening CT at $100 to $400. It is one of the lower priced scans.