An MRI uses a magnetic field and an ultrasound uses sound waves, while a CT scan uses X-rays. The choice between them is a clinical one about what needs to be seen, but the price difference is large enough that patients who pay out of pocket should understand why the same symptom can lead to either test.
How the two tests differ
An MRI uses a strong magnetic field and radio waves to produce detailed images of soft tissue, which makes it the preferred test for many brain, spinal cord, joint and soft-tissue questions. It does not use ionising radiation, but it is slower and more expensive to operate.
A CT scan uses X-rays and a computer to build cross-sectional images. It is fast, widely available and excellent for bone, trauma and some lung and abdominal questions, but it delivers a dose of ionising radiation that an MRI does not. That is why a CT is not repeated casually.
| Item | Average price | Unit | Reference period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apples, Red Delicious, per pound | $3.71 | lb | 2026-August |
| Bacon, sliced, per pound | $6.61 | lb | 2026-August |
| Bananas, per pound | $2.01 | lb | 2026-August |
| Beef steaks, USDA Choice, boneless, per pound | $6.77 | lb | 2026-August |
| Bread, white pan, per pound | $1.82 | lb | 2026-August |
| Chicken breast, boneless, per pound | $4.02 | lb | 2026-August |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics average price data, U.S. city average, not seasonally adjusted. Imaging has no equivalent published price series.
Why prices vary so much
The price of an imaging study depends on the machine, the facility, the radiologist's reading fee and the negotiated rate of whoever is paying. The same scan can be priced very differently at a hospital outpatient department, an independent imaging centre and a mobile unit, and the billed charge is frequently not the amount anyone actually pays.
In the United States, hospitals are required to publish their standard charges and insurers must maintain price transparency tools, which is the only official route to a real local price. The Bureau of Labor Statistics series below is the official context for how medical costs have moved; it is not an imaging price.
Radiation and safety
The FDA and other regulators publish guidance on medical imaging radiation, and the principle is that a test should be justified and the dose kept as low as reasonably achievable. That is a clinical judgment, and it is a legitimate question for the ordering physician when a CT is proposed.
MRI has its own safety considerations, including the strong magnetic field, which means metal implants and some devices must be declared before the scan. A patient with a pacemaker or an implanted device should say so at the time the scan is ordered, not on arrival.
- Ask which test the physician is ordering and what question it answers.
- Ask whether a CT is necessary if an MRI or ultrasound could answer the same question.
- Declare any implants, devices or metal before an MRI.
- Ask for the imaging centre's self-pay price and compare it with the hospital price.
Paying for a scan you cannot defer
The example below uses the Federal Reserve H.15 bank prime loan rate and a standard amortising schedule. It is arithmetic from a published rate, not a quote, and it shows what financing adds to a bill that is often due before the report is ready.
Worked example, with the assumption stated: $1,500 borrowed at the Federal Reserve H.15 bank prime loan rate of 6.75% (published 2026-09-16) repaid over 24 months on a standard amortising schedule. That gives a monthly payment of $66.99, total interest of $107.74 and a total repayment of $1,607.74. This is arithmetic from a published rate, not a quote: a real APR includes fees and is set by the lender from your credit, so your figures will differ. A shorter term costs more per month and less in total. If the facility offers an interest-free plan, compare its total against this figure.
Ask about financial assistance before paying. Non-profit hospitals are required to maintain financial assistance policies, and many patients who qualify never apply. The facility's financial counsellor is the right first call.
How to shop for an imaging study
Ask your physician for the order with the specific study and the diagnosis code, then call several imaging centres with that information and ask for the self-pay price in writing. The difference between the highest and lowest quote in the same city is frequently large.
If you have insurance, ask whether the centre is in network and what your residual responsibility will be after the deductible. An in-network price that applies to a deductible you have not met is still your money.
Ask whether the facility reads the scan on site or sends it out. The radiologist's fee is part of the price, and a low facility fee with an out-of-network reading can cost more than a higher all-in price at a centre that reads in house.
If the scan is for a condition your plan is likely to cover, get the prior authorisation before the appointment. A scan performed without authorisation is frequently denied after the fact, and the appeal is slower and harder than the approval would have been.
If you are paying cash, ask whether the centre offers a discount for payment on the day and whether the price changes if you pay before the scan rather than after. Self-pay discounts are common and rarely advertised, so the question is worth asking.
Finally, ask for the report and the images. You are entitled to a copy, and having them makes a second opinion possible without repeating the scan, which is both a cost saving and, for a CT, a reduction in radiation exposure.
Ask for the price in writing before the appointment, so a surprise on the bill is a billing error rather than a misunderstanding.
Where these figures come from
Related pages
Frequently asked questions
Is an MRI more expensive than a CT scan?
Usually yes, because MRI equipment is more expensive to buy and operate. The gap varies widely by facility and by who is paying, so ask for a local self-pay price.
Does an MRI use radiation?
No. MRI uses a magnetic field and radio waves. CT uses X-rays and does deliver ionising radiation, which is why it is used judiciously.
Can I choose which test I get?
The ordering physician decides based on the clinical question. You can ask why one test was chosen over another, and that is a reasonable question.
How do I get a lower imaging price?
Ask for the self-pay price at independent centres, ask about financial assistance, and compare the in-network residual cost after your deductible.
Why does the same scan cost different amounts?
Facility overhead, equipment, the radiologist's reading fee and negotiated rates all differ. The billed charge is rarely the amount actually paid.