How much is an MRI?
An MRI averages about $2,000 without insurance and can range from roughly $400 to $10,000 depending on the body part and facility. With insurance, out-of-pocket costs usually fall to about $50 to $500, though high deductibles can push them higher.
Cost breakdown
| Option | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Without insurance (national average) | ~$2,000 | Typical range $400 to $10,000 across all scans and facilities |
| Imaging / outpatient center | $350 - $2,500 | Usually the cheapest setting; ask for the self-pay or cash rate |
| Hospital MRI | $500 - $6,000+ | Hospital outpatient departments cost more than standalone centers |
| With insurance (out-of-pocket) | $50 - $500 | Copay or coinsurance; can reach $5,000+ on high-deductible plans |
| Brain / spine MRI (no insurance) | $400 - $8,000 | Brain $600-$8,000; cervical/lumbar spine $400-$7,000 |
| Contrast dye add-on | $100 - $300 | Added when contrast is needed to highlight tissue |
What an MRI costs
Without insurance, MRI prices vary enormously, from about $400 to upwards of $10,000, with a national average near $2,000. The setting is a major factor: standalone imaging and outpatient centers average roughly $350 to $2,500, while hospital MRIs commonly run $500 to $6,000 or more for the same scan.
With insurance, your out-of-pocket cost is usually a copay or coinsurance in the $50 to $500 range. However, if you have not met your deductible, you can owe far more, sometimes $5,000 or more. Medicare beneficiaries average roughly $60 at ambulatory surgical centers and $94 at hospital outpatient departments.
Cost by body part
Prices differ by what is being scanned and how complex the imaging is. Without insurance, a brain or head MRI typically runs $600 to $8,000, a cervical spine (neck) scan $400 to $7,000, and a lumbar or full-spine scan $400 to $7,500.
Abdomen and pelvis MRIs generally cost $600 to $7,500, while scans of the legs, knees, or other extremities run about $350 to $7,500. Scans that require contrast dye add roughly $100 to $300, since the dye and its administration are billed separately.
How to lower the cost
Choosing a freestanding imaging center over a hospital is often the single biggest saving, and many centers post a lower price for uninsured patients who ask for the self-pay or cash-pay rate. Comparing two or three local facilities can reveal large price differences for an identical scan.
If you have insurance, confirm the facility is in-network and check whether prior authorization is required, since out-of-network or unauthorized scans can be billed at full price. Asking for an itemized estimate up front helps you avoid surprise charges.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does an MRI cost without insurance?
- Roughly $400 to $10,000 depending on the body part and facility, with a national average around $2,000. Imaging centers are usually cheaper than hospitals.
- How much will I pay with insurance?
- Usually $50 to $500 out of pocket as a copay or coinsurance, but you can owe much more, sometimes over $5,000, if you have not met your deductible.
- Why is the price range so wide?
- Cost depends on the body part scanned, whether contrast is used, and especially whether it is done at a hospital or a standalone imaging center, which is typically far cheaper.
Researched and edited by Calvin Lauderdale, Lead Researcher & Editor. Figures on this page were verified against the sources above as of June 23, 2026.