2026 Pricing Data
CT Scan Cost in 2026
National Average Estimate
$1,500
Typical range: $300 – $6,750
Risk Level
Low
Duration
10–30 min
Clinical Insight
Most medically-necessary cases are covered by major insurers. Plan verification recommended.
What you'll likely pay in 2026
Typical Out-of-Pocket: With Insurance vs Without
With Insurance
Typical Out-of-Pocket
$1,500–$1,500
- PPO (typical)$1,500
- HDHP (high-deductible)$1,500
- Medicare (outpatient)$296
Without Insurance / Cash-Pay
List Price Range
$300–$6,750
National average: $1,500
Hospital sticker before any insurance discount.
Hospital sticker before any insurance discount.
Insurance estimates use 2025 averages from the KFF Employer Health Benefits Survey: $1,886 avg deductible, 20% hospital coinsurance, OOP max $5,000 (typical PPO) to $8,300 (HDHP statutory). Medicare uses 2025 Part A deductible ($1,676) for inpatient and Part B 20% coinsurance for outpatient (CMS). Reflects employer-sponsored insurance and Original Medicare. Excludes Medicaid, ACA marketplace, and short-term plans. Real OOP varies by plan, network, and state.
Understanding the Investment
Key Takeaways
- National average: $1,500 (range: $300–$6,750)
- Insurance: Usually Covered — Generally covered when ordered by a physician for diagnostic purposes. ER CT...
- Biggest cost driver: Facility type — outpatient centers can be 30–50% less than hospitals
A CT scan, or computed tomography scan, uses X-rays to create detailed images of your body, helping diagnose conditions from infections to injuries. Over 80 million CT scans are performed annually in the United States, making it a common diagnostic tool.
The type of scan significantly impacts the price; for example, an abdominal and pelvic CT scan typically costs more than a head CT scan. Whether the scan is performed in a hospital setting or an outpatient imaging center also influences the total cost.
For potential savings, consider freestanding imaging centers, walk-in clinics, or urgent care centers. These can be more affordable than hospital-owned facilities, with savings exceeding 60% in some cases. If your doctor needs detailed soft tissue imaging, an MRI provides greater detail without radiation exposure. Confirm all costs with your provider before scheduling.
Interactive Cost Breakdown
Where does your money go?
Typical allocation for a ct scan procedure at the national average price point.
Facility Fee
45% of total · $472-$877
$472-$877
Imaging center or hospital facility charge
Radiologist Reading
30% of total · $315-$585
$315-$585
Radiologist interpretation and report
Technologist Fee
25% of total · $262-$487
$262-$487
Imaging technologist performing the scan
Go Deeper
CT Scan Guides
Regional Variance
CT Scan Cost by State
Geographic location plays a significant role — cost-of-living adjustments, regional demand for top specialists, and facility competition all affect pricing.
Most Affordable
5 Cheapest States
- Mississippi $1,328-11.5%
- West Virginia $1,347-10.2%
- Alabama $1,358-9.5%
- Arkansas $1,368-8.8%
- Missouri $1,377-8.2%
Premium Markets
5 Most Expensive States
- Hawaii $1,746+16.4%
- California $1,700+13.3%
- New York $1,692+12.8%
- Massachusetts $1,672+11.5%
- District of Columbia $1,658+10.5%
Cheaper
Pricier
State-by-State Pricing Atlas
Click any state to see detailed pricing, regional cost factors, and top cities.
CT Scan Cost in All 50 States
Already seen the cheapest and most expensive? Expand the full sortable table to compare every state.
Show all 50 states (sortable) Hide all 50 states
| State ▲▼ | Avg Cost ▲▼ | vs National ▲▼ | |
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| Alabama | $1,358 | -9.5% | |
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| Alaska | $1,630 | +8.7% | |
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| Arizona | $1,512 | +0.8% | |
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| Arkansas | $1,368 | -8.8% | |
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| California | $1,700 | +13.3% | |
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| Colorado | $1,578 | +5.2% | |
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| Connecticut | $1,647 | +9.8% | |
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| Delaware | $1,537 | +2.5% | |
| District of Columbia | $1,658 | +10.5% | |
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| Florida | $1,504 | +0.3% | |
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| Georgia | $1,470 | -2.0% | |
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| Hawaii | $1,746 | +16.4% | |
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| Idaho | $1,458 | -2.8% | |
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| Illinois | $1,518 | +1.2% | |
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| Indiana | $1,437 | -4.2% | |
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| Iowa | $1,432 | -4.5% | |
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| Kansas | $1,422 | -5.2% | |
| Kentucky | $1,384 | -7.7% | |
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| Louisiana | $1,398 | -6.8% | |
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| Maine | $1,557 | +3.8% | |
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| Maryland | $1,602 | +6.8% | |
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| Massachusetts | $1,672 | +11.5% | |
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| Michigan | $1,492 | -0.5% | |
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| Minnesota | $1,552 | +3.5% | |
| Mississippi | $1,328 | -11.5% | |
| Missouri | $1,377 | -8.2% | |
| Montana | $1,462 | -2.5% | |
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| Nebraska | $1,448 | -3.5% | |
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| Nevada | $1,507 | +0.5% | |
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| New Hampshire | $1,582 | +5.5% | |
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| New Jersey | $1,642 | +9.5% | |
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| New Mexico | $1,407 | -6.2% | |
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| New York | $1,692 | +12.8% | |
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| North Carolina | $1,482 | -1.2% | |
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| North Dakota | $1,428 | -4.8% | |
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| Ohio | $1,474 | -1.7% | |
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| Oklahoma | $1,392 | -7.2% | |
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| Oregon | $1,612 | +7.5% | |
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| Pennsylvania | $1,527 | +1.8% | |
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| Rhode Island | $1,572 | +4.8% | |
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| South Carolina | $1,402 | -6.5% | |
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| South Dakota | $1,452 | -3.2% | |
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| Tennessee | $1,413 | -5.8% | |
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| Texas | $1,443 | -3.8% | |
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| Utah | $1,488 | -0.8% | |
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| Vermont | $1,568 | +4.5% | |
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| Virginia | $1,548 | +3.2% | |
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| Washington | $1,608 | +7.2% | |
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| West Virginia | $1,347 | -10.2% | |
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| Wisconsin | $1,497 | -0.2% | |
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| Wyoming | $1,418 | -5.5% | |
What Drives Price
Primary Pricing Factors
Three variables explain most of the cost variation you'll see across the same procedure.
Body region — head CTs are typically less expensive than full chest-abdomen-pelvis scans
With vs. without contrast — IV contrast dye adds material and monitoring costs
Number of regions — multi-region scans (chest + abdomen + pelvis) cost more than single-area studies
Coverage & Financing
Paying for CT Scan
Usually Covered by InsuranceGenerally covered when ordered by a physician for diagnostic purposes. ER CT scans are covered as emergency care.
Financing Options
- Promotional financing — CareCredit's 24-month 0% APR plan is the most common way patients finance ct scan
- Provider installment plans — many practices let you start payments before surgery and continue after, spreading out the cost
- Tax-advantaged accounts — paying $1,500 through your HSA/FSA saves you 20-35% versus after-tax dollars
- Cash discounts — surgeons prefer upfront payment and often reduce the price by 10-20% for cash-pay patients
- Charitable care programs — hospital financial assistance programs may help offset costs for qualifying patients
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does ct scan cost in 2026?
In 2026, ct scan costs $1,500 on average across the US. The typical range runs $300 to $6,750, with your final price shaped by geographic location, provider experience, and facility choice.
Does insurance cover ct scan?
Coverage status: Usually Covered. Generally covered when ordered by a physician for diagnostic purposes. ER CT scans are covered as emergency care. Your out-of-pocket cost depends on your deductible, copay, and whether your provider is in-network.
What's the cheapest state for ct scan?
If price is your priority, look at Mississippi ($1,328), West Virginia ($1,347), Alabama ($1,358). Lower overhead costs for medical practices in these states translate to lower procedure pricing.
What affects ct scan cost?
Your ct scan cost depends on body region, with vs. without contrast, number of regions. Beyond these procedure-specific factors, the state you're in can swing the price by 20-30% due to differences in cost of living and local competition among providers.
Where is ct scan most expensive?
You'll pay the most for ct scan in Hawaii ($1,746), California ($1,700), New York ($1,692). If you're in one of these states and cost is a concern, comparing quotes from lower-cost neighboring states could save you 15-25%.