Yes, a CT scan is typically cheaper than an MRI. The difference can range from a few hundred dollars to several thousand, depending on the body part being scanned, whether contrast dye is used, and where you get the scan done. On average, you can expect a CT scan to cost roughly 40 to 60 percent less than a comparable MRI.
What Each Scan Typically Costs
CT scan prices in the United States range from just over $200 to more than $6,000, with an average around $1,500 in higher-cost markets like Los Angeles. A fair price for a brain CT with and without contrast sits around $557, according to Healthcare Bluebook, while a simpler CT for a needle biopsy runs closer to $291.
MRIs cost more across the board. Medicare’s national average approved amount for a brain MRI with contrast is $508 at an ambulatory surgical center and $672 at a hospital outpatient department. Those are Medicare-negotiated rates, which tend to be lower than what private insurers or self-pay patients see. For patients paying out of pocket without insurance, MRI prices commonly land between $1,000 and $3,000 or more.
Why MRIs Cost More
The price gap comes down to the machines themselves and how long each scan takes. MRI scanners cost significantly more to purchase, install, and maintain. They require specialized shielding, liquid helium cooling systems, and dedicated rooms built to contain their powerful magnets. CT scanners are expensive too, but not on the same scale.
Time also plays a role. A CT scan takes about one minute. Even fast MRI protocols, like the ones developed at Johns Hopkins, still take around 10 minutes, and many standard MRIs run 30 to 60 minutes. That means a single MRI machine can handle far fewer patients per day than a CT scanner, and those higher overhead costs get spread across fewer appointments. Interestingly, when researchers broke down the true technical cost of running each machine, a 15-minute MRI with contrast came to about $106 versus $99 for a 5-minute CT with contrast. The actual operating costs per scan are closer than most people expect, but the slower throughput and higher equipment costs push the final patient bill much higher for MRI.
Where You Get Scanned Matters More Than You Think
The single biggest factor in what you’ll pay, besides the type of scan, is the facility. Hospital outpatient departments charge substantially more than freestanding imaging centers for the exact same scan on the exact same type of machine. One large study of nearly 7,000 knee MRIs found that the average price was 52 percent higher at hospital outpatient departments compared to community-based imaging centers: $919 versus $606.
This pattern holds for CT scans too. A CT done in a hospital’s radiology department will almost always cost more than the same scan at an independent clinic down the street. The hospital adds a facility fee on top of the radiologist’s reading fee, and that facility fee can double the total bill. If cost is a concern, calling around to freestanding imaging centers in your area is one of the most effective ways to lower what you pay, regardless of which scan you need.
How Insurance Changes the Math
With insurance, your out-of-pocket cost depends on your plan’s deductible, copay, and coinsurance structure rather than the full sticker price. Under Medicare, a patient’s average share for a brain MRI with contrast is about $101 at an ambulatory surgical center and $134 at a hospital outpatient department. Private insurance plans vary widely, but the same general rule applies: your share of an MRI will be higher than your share of a CT because the total approved amount is higher.
If you haven’t met your deductible yet, you may owe the full negotiated rate for either scan. In that scenario, the cost difference between CT and MRI becomes very real. Some insurers, including Cigna, actively encourage patients to shop around and compare prices at different facilities. Many insurance portals now show estimated costs for imaging at specific locations before you book, which is worth checking.
When the Cheaper Scan Isn’t the Right One
Cost aside, CT and MRI aren’t interchangeable. CT scans excel at imaging bone fractures, internal bleeding, kidney stones, and lung problems. They’re also the go-to in emergencies because they’re so fast. MRIs produce far more detailed images of soft tissue: brain structures, spinal discs, ligaments, cartilage, and organs like the liver or heart. Your doctor orders one over the other based on what they need to see, not what costs less.
That said, for certain conditions, both scans can provide useful diagnostic information, and some physicians will consider cost when either option is clinically appropriate. If you’re facing a large out-of-pocket expense, it’s reasonable to ask whether a CT could answer the clinical question just as well as an MRI. In many cases it can’t, but sometimes it can, and the savings could be significant.
Quick Cost Comparison
- CT scan without insurance: $200 to $3,000, with most scans falling between $300 and $1,500
- MRI without insurance: $500 to $5,000 or more, with most scans falling between $1,000 and $3,000
- Hospital vs. imaging center: expect to pay roughly 50 percent more at a hospital for the same scan
- Contrast dye: adds a modest amount to either scan, with CT and MRI contrast costing about the same in technical terms