If you’re paying for an MRI yourself, the first question is simple: what’s a fair price where I live? The honest answer is that there’s no official list of MRI cash prices by state. Below you’ll find the best available estimates, exactly where they come from and what they leave out. Then we’ll show you free tools to find the real price at imaging centers near you.
Key takeaways
- No government agency publishes MRI cash prices by state. The state figures below are estimates from one company and should be used only as a rough guide.
- In those estimates, the average cash price for a brain MRI ranges from about $740 to $1,050, depending on the state.
- Prices at individual facilities vary far more than prices between states. Independent imaging centers are often much cheaper than hospitals.
- Hospitals must post their discounted cash prices online, and free tools like FAIR Health Consumer give local estimates.
- Always get a written quote that includes the radiologist’s fee.
Where these numbers come from
The table below uses estimates from Sidecar Health, a health insurance company that publishes average cash prices for common procedures by state. According to Sidecar, the figures are based on cash prices providers have historically charged.
Before you use them, know their limits:
- They’re estimates, not quotes. Sidecar doesn’t publish the date or detailed method behind them.
- They show regional differences, not local prices. The state figures for different MRI types move in exactly the same proportion, which suggests a national price adjusted by a regional factor. A center in your town could be far cheaper or more expensive.
- They may not include everything. Sidecar notes that the prices don’t include related doctor fees, such as the radiologist who reads your scan.
Estimated brain MRI cash price by state
| State | Average cash price |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $776 |
| Alaska | $1,050 |
| Arizona | $878 |
| Arkansas | $770 |
| California | $964 |
| Colorado | $849 |
| Connecticut | $928 |
| Delaware | $902 |
| District of Columbia | $894 |
| Florida | $852 |
| Georgia | $799 |
| Hawaii | $808 |
| Idaho | $785 |
| Illinois | $891 |
| Indiana | $813 |
| Iowa | $739 |
| Kansas | $765 |
| Kentucky | $783 |
| Louisiana | $869 |
| Maine | $785 |
| Maryland | $924 |
| Massachusetts | $952 |
| Michigan | $877 |
| Minnesota | $987 |
| Mississippi | $790 |
| Missouri | $780 |
| Montana | $812 |
| Nebraska | $793 |
| Nevada | $838 |
| New Hampshire | $841 |
| New Jersey | $1,018 |
| New Mexico | $774 |
| New York | $958 |
| North Carolina | $769 |
| North Dakota | $855 |
| Ohio | $800 |
| Oklahoma | $856 |
| Oregon | $873 |
| Pennsylvania | $901 |
| Rhode Island | $960 |
| South Carolina | $820 |
| South Dakota | $764 |
| Tennessee | $770 |
| Texas | $832 |
| Utah | $867 |
| Vermont | $852 |
| Virginia | $828 |
| Washington | $924 |
| West Virginia | $829 |
| Wisconsin | $875 |
| Wyoming | $852 |
Source: Sidecar Health, «Cost of brain MRI by state,» accessed October 2026. Estimates only.
Other body parts. In the same source, a lumbar spine MRI is estimated at about 40% less than a brain MRI in every state, ranging from about $440 to $630. Prices for MRIs with contrast are usually higher than for MRIs without contrast.
Why your price can be very different
The state you live in matters less than where you get the scan and how you pay.
- Hospital vs. independent center. Hospital outpatient departments often charge much more than freestanding imaging centers for the same scan.
- With or without contrast. Contrast adds cost.
- Body part and protocol. A simple knee MRI is usually cheaper than a brain MRI with and without contrast.
- What’s included. Some cash prices include the radiologist’s reading fee, and some don’t.
- Cash discounts. Many centers offer a lower price if you pay in full upfront.
How to find the real cash price near you
1. Check hospital price transparency files. Since January 1, 2021, federal rules require hospitals to post their standard charges online, including the discounted price they accept from patients who pay cash. They must also show prices for at least 300 shoppable services, including imaging, in a consumer-friendly format. Search the hospital’s website for «price transparency» or «standard charges.»
2. Use FAIR Health Consumer. This free, independent website gives cost estimates by ZIP code area, including estimates for people without insurance. Search for your MRI type to see a typical local price.
3. Check your state’s price tool. Some states, such as New Hampshire and Maine, run official websites that compare health care prices in the state.
4. Call imaging centers directly. Ask for the self-pay price for your exact scan, using the CPT code your doctor’s order lists. Our guide to asking for a cash price includes a call script.
5. Get a good faith estimate. If you’re uninsured or paying cash, providers usually must give you a written good faith estimate when you schedule at least three business days ahead or when you ask. If your bill is at least $400 higher than the estimate, you may be able to dispute it.
Frequently asked questions
What’s a typical cash price for an MRI? In Sidecar Health’s state estimates, a brain MRI averages roughly $740 to $1,050. Independent imaging centers often offer cash prices well below hospital prices. Always check local prices.
Is paying cash cheaper than using insurance? Sometimes, especially if you have a high deductible. But cash payments may not count toward your deductible. Compare both before you decide.
Does the cash price include the radiologist? Not always. Ask whether the price includes the radiologist’s reading fee, or you may get a second bill.
Why don’t you show a «most expensive state» ranking? The available state data are estimates with limited detail. Ranking states on them would suggest more precision than the data have.
Sources
- Sidecar Health: Cost of brain MRI by state; Cost of MRI lumbar spine by state.
- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS): Hospital price transparency, information for consumers.
- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS): Medical bill rights (good faith estimates).
- FAIR Health Consumer.
This article is for general information only. Prices change and vary by facility. Confirm the total price, in writing, with the imaging center before your scan. If cost is a barrier, talk to your doctor rather than skipping a scan you need.