An X-ray costs $50 to $450 without insurance in 2026
An X-ray costs $50 to $450 without insurance in 2026. GoodRx puts the national average at $284 for one body part. MyCareCost lists a chest X-ray at $50 to $250 and spine imaging at $100 to $400. Maven Imaging says outpatient clinics average about $75, while an inpatient hospital averages about $450. Where you go matters most. Ask for the cash price before you book.
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 |
|---|---|
| GoodRx | GoodRx puts the national average at $284 for one body part and lists chest X-rays at $75 to $116 and complex X-rays at $93 to $141 in six cities. |
| Maven Imaging | Maven Imaging lists a chest X-ray at about $370, an outpatient clinic at about $75 and an inpatient hospital at about $450. |
| MyCareCost | MyCareCost lists a chest X-ray at $50 to $250, spine imaging at $100 to $400 and hospital outpatient X-rays at $150 to $400 or more. |
X-ray price by body part and setting
| Type or setting | Price | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Chest X-ray, cash price in six cities | $75 to $116 | GoodRx |
| Chest X-ray, 1 to 2 views | $50 to $250 | MyCareCost |
| Spine imaging | $100 to $400 | MyCareCost |
| Hospital outpatient X-ray | $150 to $400 or more | MyCareCost |
| Outpatient clinic, average | About $75 | Maven Imaging |
| Inpatient hospital, average | About $450 | Maven Imaging |
| Bone density scan (DEXA), average | $335 | GoodRx |
| Whole-body X-rays | About $1,100 | Maven Imaging |
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 | Outpatient clinics cost less than hospitals. Maven Imaging lists about $75 at an outpatient clinic and about $450 at an inpatient hospital. |
| Body part | A single finger runs about $100, while a chest X-ray is about $370 and a pelvis about $350, per Maven Imaging. Bigger areas cost more. |
| City | GoodRx lists a chest X-ray at $75 in Las Vegas and $116 in Houston. Maven Imaging says Los Angeles runs $230 to $600. |
| Cash price | MyCareCost says to ask for the self-pay price upfront because it is almost always lower than the standard charge. |
| Hospital fees | MyCareCost lists hospital outpatient X-rays at $150 to $400 or more, because facility fees add cost. Urgent care and imaging centers cost less. |
What the price includes
The price usually covers the X-ray images and the facility fee. A radiologist reading fee can be billed on its own, so ask if it is included. Extra views, a second body part, or a rush read can cost more. The doctor visit that orders the X-ray is also a separate charge. A cash price may be lower than the listed hospital charge. It does not include tax or extras the provider adds on the day.
Does insurance cover it
Most health plans cover an X-ray when a doctor orders it for a medical reason. You may still pay a deductible, a copay or coinsurance. Maven Imaging notes that people may face deductibles or copays even when a plan covers the scan. If you have a high deductible, the cash price may be lower than your plan rate, so ask both ways. Cash payments may not count toward your deductible. Without insurance, ask for the self-pay price and a Good Faith Estimate before you book.
When a doctor orders it
A doctor orders an X-ray to look at bones, the chest or other body parts. Common reasons are a possible break, a cough that will not clear, joint or back pain, or a check after an injury. Your doctor decides which body part and how many views you need. Ask if a cheaper test would give the same answer. Take any past X-rays with you so the new ones can be compared.
How to judge your quote
- Ask for the self-pay price in writing.
- Ask if the radiologist reading fee is included.
- Ask which body part and how many views are in the price.
- Compare an imaging center with a hospital price.
- Compare the total with the range above: $50 to $450 per X-ray for most people in 2026.
Ways to pay less
- Ask for the cash or self-pay price. MyCareCost says it is almost always lower than the standard charge.
- Choose an independent imaging center. MyCareCost and GoodRx both say outpatient sites cost less than hospitals, which charge facility fees.
- Compare prices before you book. GoodRx suggests tools like MDsave or New Choice Health to compare local rates.
- Ask for a Good Faith Estimate. GoodRx says uninsured patients can request one before the procedure, so you know the total.
- Ask if the radiologist fee is included. A separate reading bill can add to the total, so get the full price in writing.
How we got these numbers
The range on this page comes from GoodRx, Maven Imaging and MyCareCost. 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 X-ray cost without insurance?
GoodRx puts the national average at $284 for one body part. MyCareCost lists a chest X-ray at $50 to $250. Hospitals cost more than clinics.
How much is a chest X-ray without insurance?
GoodRx lists cash prices of $75 to $116 in six cities. MyCareCost lists $50 to $250, with a cash average near $100. Maven Imaging says about $370.
Is an X-ray cheaper at an imaging center?
Usually yes. MyCareCost and GoodRx both say outpatient sites cost less than hospitals. Maven Imaging lists about $75 at an outpatient clinic and about $450 at a hospital.
How much is a bone density scan?
GoodRx says a DEXA scan averages $335 nationally. That is a special kind of X-ray, so it costs more than a basic one.
Can I ask for a price before my X-ray?
Yes. GoodRx says you can request a Good Faith Estimate before the procedure. Ask for the cash price and what it includes.