An MRI costs $351 to $5,000 without insurance in 2026
An MRI costs about $351 to $5,000 without insurance in 2026, and most scans land near $1,300. GoodRx puts the national average at $1,325 and says a fair price is $750. CostHelper says $1,000 to $5,000 out of pocket. Imaging centers cost much less than hospitals. The body part and the use of contrast dye also change the bill. Call a few centers 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 |
|---|---|
| GoodRx | GoodRx says an MRI can cost $400 to $12,000, with a national average of $1,325 and a fair price of $750. |
| CostHelper | CostHelper says an MRI costs $1,000 to $5,000 or more without insurance, with contrast adding about $100 to $300. |
| Talk to Mira | Mira lists a national average of $926.56 with a range of $351 to $2,804. |
| MDsave | MDsave lists an estimated national average of $900 for an MRI without contrast and $1,334 for an MRI with and without contrast. |
MRI price by body part and type
| Type | Typical price | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Abdominal MRI | $572 average | Mira |
| Brain MRI | $710 average | Mira |
| Knee MRI | $1,017 average | Mira |
| Without contrast, national average | $900 | MDsave |
| With and without contrast, national average | $1,334 | MDsave |
| Bone MRI | $410 to $2,100 | GoodRx |
| Spinal MRI | $1,000 to $5,000 | CostHelper |
| Brain MRI, hospital range | $1,600 to $8,400 | 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 |
|---|---|
| Setting | GoodRx says imaging centers charge about $400 for the same scan that costs up to $4,000 in a hospital emergency room. |
| Body part | GoodRx lists a brain MRI at $1,600 to $8,400 and a bone MRI at $410 to $2,100. Mira lists a brain scan at about $710 on average. |
| Contrast dye | CostHelper says contrast adds about $100 to $300, and only some patients need it. |
| City | Mira says Dallas averages $1,150.37 while Chicago averages $695.30, so where you live matters. |
| Cash discounts | CostHelper says some imaging centers offer $380 to $560 to uninsured patients who pay up front. |
What the price includes
The price usually covers the scan itself and often the radiologist's reading. Some places bill the reading separately. Contrast dye, a doctor visit, a sedative for anxiety, and a facility fee can cost extra. Ask for an all in price before you book. 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 pay a copay, often $20 to $100 according to CostHelper, or the full allowed price until your deductible is met. Many plans need a prior approval before the scan. If you skip it, the plan may deny the claim. Plans often pay less for hospital scans than for scans at an in network imaging center. Call your plan, ask for the billing code, and ask which sites are in network before you book.
When a doctor orders it
A doctor may order an MRI when an X-ray or exam does not show enough. Common reasons are joint or back pain that does not go away, a sports injury, headaches with other signs, or a lump that needs a closer look. An MRI shows soft parts such as nerves, muscles and organs. It uses magnets, not radiation. Ask your doctor why the scan is needed, what it may change, and whether a cheaper test could work first.
How to judge your quote
- Ask for the all in price, including the radiologist's reading.
- Ask if the quote is for contrast or no contrast.
- Ask if the site is a hospital or an imaging center. The center is often cheaper.
- Ask for the cash price and any discount for paying up front.
- Compare the total with the range above: $351 to $5,000 per scan for most people in 2026.
Ways to pay less
- Choose a freestanding imaging center over a hospital. GoodRx says centers charge around $400 where an ER can charge up to $4,000.
- Ask for the cash price. CostHelper says some centers offer $380 to $560 to uninsured patients who pay when they book.
- Compare prices on MDsave and call two or three centers. MDsave lists a national average of $900 for an MRI without contrast.
- Ask your doctor if you need contrast. CostHelper says it adds about $100 to $300 and only 5 to 10 percent of patients need it.
- Never get a scheduled MRI in the ER. Ask your doctor to send the order to an outpatient center.
How we got these numbers
The range on this page comes from GoodRx, CostHelper, Talk to Mira and MDsave. 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?
About $351 to $5,000. GoodRx puts the national average at $1,325, and Mira says $926.56.
What is a fair price for an MRI?
GoodRx says a fair price is about $750. Imaging centers near $400 to $560 can be cheaper.
Why is a hospital MRI so costly?
GoodRx says an ER can charge up to $4,000 for a scan that costs near $400 at an imaging center.
Does contrast cost more?
Yes. CostHelper says contrast adds about $100 to $300. MDsave lists $1,334 with and without contrast against $900 without.
Which body part is cheapest?
Mira lists an abdominal MRI at $572.25 on average, below a knee at $1,017.21 or a breast scan at $1,163.77.