2026 Pricing Data
Ultrasound Cost in 2026
National Average Estimate
$500
Typical range: $200 – $800
Risk Level
Low
Duration
15–45 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
$500–$500
- PPO (typical)$500
- HDHP (high-deductible)$500
- Medicare (outpatient)$150
Without Insurance / Cash-Pay
List Price Range
$200–$800
National average: $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: $500 (range: $200–$800)
- Insurance: Usually Covered — Covered for diagnostic and prenatal purposes by virtually all insurance plans.
- Biggest cost driver: Facility type — outpatient centers can be 30–50% less than hospitals
Ultrasound imaging uses sound waves to create pictures of organs and other internal structures. You'll likely get one if your doctor needs to evaluate a specific area, and roughly 300 million ultrasound procedures are performed annually in the United States. Advancements in technology now include real-time imaging, full color, and even 3D and 4D imaging to improve diagnostic accuracy.
The facility fee is often the largest cost component, covering the imaging center or hospital's overhead. Radiologist interpretation and the imaging technologist's expertise contribute significantly as well. These professional fees ensure accurate image acquisition and expert evaluation, which impacts the final cost you'll pay.
Consider having your ultrasound performed at an ambulatory surgery center (ASC) if possible. ASCs typically have lower operating costs than hospital outpatient departments, potentially saving you hundreds of dollars on the procedure. For more detailed imaging, an MRI provides superior soft tissue detail. A CT scan is another common imaging alternative when more detail is needed. Confirm all costs with your provider before scheduling.
Interactive Cost Breakdown
Where does your money go?
Typical allocation for a ultrasound procedure at the national average price point.
Facility Fee
45% of total · $157-$292
$157-$292
Imaging center or hospital facility charge
Radiologist Reading
30% of total · $105-$195
$105-$195
Radiologist interpretation and report
Technologist Fee
25% of total · $87-$162
$87-$162
Imaging technologist performing the scan
Go Deeper
Ultrasound Guides
Regional Variance
Ultrasound 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 $442-11.5%
- West Virginia $449-10.2%
- Alabama $452-9.5%
- Arkansas $456-8.8%
- Missouri $459-8.2%
Premium Markets
5 Most Expensive States
- Hawaii $582+16.4%
- California $566+13.3%
- New York $564+12.8%
- Massachusetts $558+11.5%
- District of Columbia $552+10.5%
Cheaper
Pricier
State-by-State Pricing Atlas
Click any state to see detailed pricing, regional cost factors, and top cities.
Ultrasound 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 | $452 | -9.5% | |
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| Alaska | $544 | +8.7% | |
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| Arizona | $504 | +0.8% | |
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| Arkansas | $456 | -8.8% | |
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| California | $566 | +13.3% | |
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| Colorado | $526 | +5.2% | |
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| Connecticut | $549 | +9.8% | |
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| Delaware | $512 | +2.5% | |
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| District of Columbia | $552 | +10.5% | |
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| Florida | $501 | +0.3% | |
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| Georgia | $490 | -2.0% | |
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| Hawaii | $582 | +16.4% | |
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| Idaho | $486 | -2.8% | |
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| Illinois | $506 | +1.2% | |
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| Indiana | $479 | -4.2% | |
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| Iowa | $478 | -4.5% | |
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| Kansas | $474 | -5.2% | |
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| Kentucky | $461 | -7.7% | |
| Louisiana | $466 | -6.8% | |
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| Maine | $519 | +3.8% | |
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| Maryland | $534 | +6.8% | |
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| Massachusetts | $558 | +11.5% | |
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| Michigan | $498 | -0.5% | |
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| Minnesota | $518 | +3.5% | |
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| Mississippi | $442 | -11.5% | |
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| Missouri | $459 | -8.2% | |
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| Montana | $488 | -2.5% | |
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| Nebraska | $482 | -3.5% | |
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| Nevada | $502 | +0.5% | |
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| New Hampshire | $528 | +5.5% | |
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| New Jersey | $548 | +9.5% | |
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| New Mexico | $469 | -6.2% | |
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| New York | $564 | +12.8% | |
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| North Carolina | $494 | -1.2% | |
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| North Dakota | $476 | -4.8% | |
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| Ohio | $492 | -1.7% | |
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| Oklahoma | $464 | -7.2% | |
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| Oregon | $538 | +7.5% | |
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| Pennsylvania | $509 | +1.8% | |
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| Rhode Island | $524 | +4.8% | |
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| South Carolina | $468 | -6.5% | |
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| South Dakota | $484 | -3.2% | |
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| Tennessee | $471 | -5.8% | |
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| Texas | $481 | -3.8% | |
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| Utah | $496 | -0.8% | |
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| Vermont | $522 | +4.5% | |
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| Virginia | $516 | +3.2% | |
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| Washington | $536 | +7.2% | |
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| West Virginia | $449 | -10.2% | |
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| Wisconsin | $499 | -0.2% | |
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| Wyoming | $472 | -5.5% | |
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What Drives Price
Primary Pricing Factors
Three variables explain most of the cost variation you'll see across the same procedure.
Type of ultrasound — transvaginal, echocardiogram, and vascular studies cost more than standard abdominal scans
Diagnostic vs. screening — screening ultrasounds (e.g., prenatal) are often simpler and less expensive
Doppler component — adding blood flow analysis (Doppler) increases the complexity and cost
Coverage & Financing
Paying for Ultrasound
Usually Covered by InsuranceCovered for diagnostic and prenatal purposes by virtually all insurance plans.
Financing Options
- Promotional financing — CareCredit's 24-month 0% APR plan is the most common way patients finance ultrasound
- Provider installment plans — many practices let you start payments before surgery and continue after, spreading out the cost
- Tax-advantaged accounts — paying $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 ultrasound cost in 2026?
In 2026, ultrasound costs $500 on average across the US. The typical range runs $200 to $800, with your final price shaped by geographic location, provider experience, and facility choice.
Does insurance cover ultrasound?
Insurance coverage for ultrasound is classified as: Usually Covered. Covered for diagnostic and prenatal purposes by virtually all insurance plans.
What's the cheapest state for ultrasound?
The most affordable states for ultrasound are Mississippi ($442), West Virginia ($449), Alabama ($452). These states benefit from lower costs of living and regional price parities.
What affects ultrasound cost?
Your ultrasound cost depends on type of ultrasound, diagnostic vs. screening, doppler component. 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 ultrasound most expensive?
You'll pay the most for ultrasound in Hawaii ($582), California ($566), New York ($564). 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%.