How much does an X-ray cost without insurance?

Cash prices published by 129 hospitals and imaging centers in 4 metro areas, next to what insurers negotiated.

Hospital files dated January 1, 2026 – September 25, 2026 · Data checked October 2, 2026 · How we read these files · Report an error

Published cash price
$51–$3,837
what 129 hospitals and imaging centers list for a self-pay X-ray
Typical insured rate
$263
median of every commercial plan rate in the files
Lowest insured rate
$20.17
BCBS (ALL PRODUCTS), Valleywise Health Medical Center

By procedure

X-ray
ProcedurePublished cash priceTypical insured rateLowest insured rateHospitals
Chest X-rayCPT 71046$56–$2,728$256$20.17129
Knee X-rayCPT 73562$51–$2,879$265$27.38127
Lower back X-rayCPT 72100$66–$3,837$301$25.07129
Shoulder X-rayCPT 73030$53–$3,035$235$22.18127

Bars use a log scale. The coral bar runs from the lowest to the highest published cash price; the blue dot marks the typical insured rate.

By city