An MRI costs $250 to $8,400 without insurance in 2026
An MRI costs $250 to $8,400 without insurance in 2026. GoodRx lists a national average of $1,325. MDsave lists an estimated average of $900 for an MRI without contrast. The place you go matters most. MyCareCost says a freestanding imaging center charges $250 to $500 for cash patients, and a hospital can charge many times more. The body part also moves the price.
What price guides say
We checked 3 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 an MRI without contrast at an estimated national average of $900 and an MRI with and without contrast at $1,334. |
| MyCareCost | MyCareCost lists a knee MRI at $300 to $5,000, a brain MRI at $350 to $6,500, and imaging center cash prices of $250 to $500. |
| GoodRx | GoodRx lists MRI costs without insurance at $400 to $12,000, with a national average of $1,325 and a brain MRI at $1,600 to $8,400. |
MRI cost without insurance by type
| MRI type or place | Cost | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Imaging center, cash price | $250 to $500 | MyCareCost |
| Knee MRI | $300 to $5,000, median about $900 | MyCareCost |
| Lumbar spine MRI | $350 to $6,000, median about $1,100 | MyCareCost |
| Brain MRI | $350 to $6,500, median about $1,200 | MyCareCost |
| Brain MRI | $1,600 to $8,400 | GoodRx |
| MRI without contrast, national average | $900 | MDsave |
| MRI with and without contrast | $1,334 | MDsave |
| Any MRI, national average | $1,325 | GoodRx |
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 get it | Hospitals charge fees that imaging centers do not. MyCareCost says imaging centers cost about 50 to 70 percent less than hospital departments. |
| Body part | A knee scan costs less than a brain or heart scan. MyCareCost lists a median of about $900 for a knee and about $2,200 for a heart MRI. |
| Contrast dye | Some scans use a dye to show more detail, and it raises the price. MDsave lists $900 without contrast and $1,334 with and without contrast. |
| Sedation | If you need medicine to stay calm or still, the bill goes up. GoodRx says sedation and contrast dye both add to the base cost. |
| Emergency room | An MRI done in the emergency room costs the most. GoodRx lists up to $4,000 at a hospital ER and $400 at an imaging center. |
What the price includes
The price usually covers the scan itself and the images. A radiologist's report to read the scan may be billed as a separate line, so ask. Your doctor's visit and any follow up care are billed separately. Contrast dye and sedation can cost extra. It does not include tax or extras the provider adds on the day.
Does insurance cover it
Most health plans cover an MRI when a doctor orders it for a medical reason. You may still pay your deductible, a copay, or a share of the bill. Some plans also need approval first, so ask your plan before you book. If you have no insurance, ask for the cash price. GoodRx and MyCareCost both show that prices differ a lot, and imaging centers cost far less than hospitals. A payment plan may also help you spread out the cost.
When a doctor orders it
A doctor may order an MRI to look at the brain, spine, joints, or organs. It is often used for pain that does not go away, an injury, or a problem that an X-ray cannot show. An MRI uses magnets, not radiation. You lie still inside a tube while the machine takes pictures.
How to judge your quote
- Ask for the full cash price, including the radiologist.
- Ask if contrast dye is needed and what it adds.
- Ask if the scan is at a hospital or an imaging center.
- Ask for the price in writing before you book.
- Compare the total with the range above: $250 to $8,400 per scan for most people in 2026.
Ways to pay less
- Choose a freestanding imaging center over a hospital. MyCareCost lists $250 to $500 for cash patients at an imaging center.
- Ask for the cash price before you book. Some places give a lower price when you pay up front, so ask each one.
- Compare prices on MDsave and GoodRx for your area. Prices for the same scan can differ a lot from one place to the next.
- Ask your doctor if the scan can be done without contrast. Contrast raises the price, so only get it if it is needed.
- Do not get the scan in the emergency room unless you must. GoodRx lists up to $4,000 at an ER and $400 at an imaging center.
How we got these numbers
The range on this page comes from MDsave, MyCareCost and GoodRx. 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 an MRI cost without insurance?
GoodRx lists a national average of $1,325 and a range of $400 to $12,000. MyCareCost lists $250 to $500 at an imaging center. The place and the body part decide the price.
How much is an MRI at an imaging center?
MyCareCost says freestanding imaging centers charge $250 to $500 for cash patients. That is about 50 to 70 percent less than a hospital.
How much does a brain MRI cost?
MyCareCost lists $350 to $6,500, with a median of about $1,200. GoodRx lists $1,600 to $8,400.
How much does a knee MRI cost?
MyCareCost lists $300 to $5,000, with a median of about $900.
Does contrast dye cost more?
Yes. MDsave lists an MRI without contrast at an estimated average of $900 and an MRI with and without contrast at $1,334.