MRI Cost in San Francisco, CA (2026): Average Prices & What You'll Pay
What does a mri cost in San Francisco, CA?
You could pay $938 or $1,452 for the same mri in San Francisco, CA - depending entirely on which facility you choose. The median cash price across 24 reporting hospitals is $955. This data comes directly from hospital price transparency files published under federal law.
Where mri costs vary in San Francisco, CA
Pins show hospitals with price-transparency data (colored by vs. state average) and nearby ambulatory surgery centers, imaging centers, and other facilities (colored by type). Click any pin for facility name and estimated cost range.
26+ people checked prices near them this month.
Hospital MRI costs run 2–5× more than independent imaging centers. Most patients never knew they had a choice.
Your personalized cost report includes:
- ✓ Why the exact same scan costs $400 at one site and $2,200 at another
- ✓ The separate radiologist bill most patients miss (and how to verify it's in-network)
- ✓ When contrast adds a charge - and when to ask if you need it
- ✓ The questions to ask before scheduling that protect you from surprise bills
- ✓ A real patient billing breakdown, line by line
Free for patients - takes 30 seconds to get.
We'll send a sign-in link to your email - click it to get your guide. No account required, no spam.
Cheapest MRI Providers in San Francisco, CA
Based on declared cash/self-pay prices from CMS hospital price transparency files.
| # | Facility | City | Price | vs Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ucsf Medical Center | Box 0296, CA | $349 | -$606 |
| 2 | UCSF Langely Porter Psychiatic Hospital | Flr 7, CA | $349 | -$606 |
| 3 | Stanford Health Care Tri-Valley | Pleasanton, CA | $349 | -$606 |
| 4 | Kindred Hospital San Francisco Bay Area | San Leandro, CA | $774 | -$181 |
| 5 | California Pacific Medical Center- Van Ness Campus | San Francisco, CA | $891 | -$64 |
| 6 | California Pacific Medical Ctr-Davies Campus Hospital | San Francisco, CA | $938 | -$17 |
| 7 | Mills-Peninsula Medical Center | Burlingame, CA | $938 | -$17 |
| 8 | Mills Health Center | San Mateo, CA | $938 | -$17 |
Prices are declared self-pay rates. Contact each facility for a formal quote before scheduling.
Quick take
- Ucsf Medical Center is the lowest-cost option at $349 - $606 below the state median, just by choosing where you go.
- Ask for the cash price if your deductible isn't met - the median cash price here is $955, and it's often lower than what insurance pays before your deductible is satisfied.
- Freestanding ambulatory surgical centers (ASCs) are often 30-60% cheaper than hospital outpatient departments for the same procedure and may not appear in this hospital-only dataset - ask your doctor if one is an option.
California has the most competitive commercial hospital market in the country, with aggressive multi-system competition in every major metro driving meaningful price variation. Kaiser Permanente's integrated payer-provider model covers roughly 40% of the insured population in the state - if you're Kaiser-enrolled, the prices here largely don't apply. California's robust price transparency enforcement under SB 1204 means the data here is more complete than in most states. MRI pricing has some of the widest site-of-service spreads in all of imaging - hospital outpatient MRIs often cost 4–8× more than the same scan at a freestanding imaging center. With vs. without contrast and body part scanned are separate CPT codes with meaningfully different prices; confirm exactly what was ordered before scheduling. For non-urgent imaging, independent imaging centers offer the same diagnostic quality at a fraction of hospital prices.
Received a bill? Check it for errors → Estimate YOUR cost before you go → Managing more than one bill? See the family tracker →
Why prices vary - and what it means for your coverage
A small number of hospitals (3) report prices above $2,568, including St. Mary's Medical Center - San Francisco at $5,342, which drives most of the overall spread - excluding them, most facilities cluster in a much tighter band. Setting matters too: the median outpatient price is $955 versus $1,590 inpatient (about 1.7× more), so where a procedure happens often matters more than which hospital you pick. Whether the scan happens in a hospital outpatient department (which adds a separate facility fee) or a freestanding imaging center is usually the single biggest driver of price for this procedure.
None of the prices above are what you'll necessarily owe: your deductible, out-of-pocket maximum, and each provider's network status all still apply.
| Your situation | Estimated out-of-pocket |
|---|---|
| Deductible not yet met | ~$955 |
| Deductible met - 20% coinsurance | ~$191 |
| Out-of-network provider | $2,101+ |
Frequently asked questions: MRI costs in San Francisco, CA
How much does an MRI cost in San Francisco, CA?
Across 24 San Francisco, CA hospitals that publish prices, an MRI ranges from $336 to $5,342, with a median of $955. Most facilities fall between $938 and $1,452. What you pay depends on the facility, your insurance, and whether you have met your deductible.
Where is the cheapest place to get an MRI in San Francisco, CA?
Based on declared prices, the lowest-cost facility in our San Francisco, CA data is UCSF Benioff Childrens Oakland in Oakland at about $336. By metro, Oakland has the lowest median ($955). Freestanding ambulatory surgery and imaging centers are often cheaper still and may not appear in hospital price data - ask your doctor whether one is an option.
Why is an MRI so much cheaper at some San Francisco, CA hospitals?
Prices vary up to 15.9× because each hospital sets its own list price, cash discount, and insurer-negotiated rates. In San Francisco, CA, the median cash (self-pay) price is $955 versus a median negotiated rate of $334 - about 2.9× higher. Asking for the cash price or your insurer's negotiated rate is often the single biggest lever on what you pay.
How much will I actually pay out of pocket for an MRI in San Francisco, CA?
Your out-of-pocket cost depends on your deductible, coinsurance, out-of-pocket maximum, and whether the facility is in-network - not just the sticker price. If you have not met your deductible, you will typically pay the negotiated rate in full until you do. Use the CostKits cost forecaster to estimate your specific out-of-pocket amount before you go.
Before you book
- Deductible vs out-of-pocket max
- How to negotiate your medical bills
- EOB vs medical bill: complete guide
- Already have a bill? Check it for errors
- How to read a Medicare Summary Notice
Other procedures in San Francisco, CA
MRI, elsewhere
What matters before you schedule
ASC vs. hospital
Hospital outpatient departments typically charge 2-4x more than ASCs or independent centers for the same mri - same outcome, very different bill. The ER charges the most of any setting and should only be used when the situation is medically urgent. Call ahead and ask for a self-pay or cash quote at each setting you're considering.
With vs. without contrast
Which type your doctor orders for this mri changes the billing code, and what you pay. For example: A standard mri with no contrast dye - the most common and lowest-cost version.
This is shoppable
MRI is elective and schedulable, so you have time to compare facilities before booking - hospital outpatient prices often run 2-4x higher than alternative settings for the identical clinical outcome.
What to ask before you book
Get the CPT code from your doctor, confirm every provider involved (not just the facility) is in-network, ask for the cash-pay rate if you're uninsured or haven't met your deductible, and request a written estimate for mri before you schedule.
CostKits compiles hospital price transparency data to help families make informed decisions. Track and manage your healthcare costs (free account).
Other Procedure Costs in San Francisco, CA
- Appendectomy Cost in San Francisco, CA
- Cataract Surgery Cost in San Francisco, CA
- Childbirth Cost in San Francisco, CA
- Cholecystectomy Cost in San Francisco, CA
- Colonoscopy Cost in San Francisco, CA
- CT Scan (Abdomen) Cost in San Francisco, CA
- CT Scan (Chest) Cost in San Francisco, CA
- CT Scan (Head) Cost in San Francisco, CA
- CT Scan Cost in San Francisco, CA
- Echocardiogram Cost in San Francisco, CA
- Emergency Room Visit Cost in San Francisco, CA
- Endoscopy Cost in San Francisco, CA
- Hip Replacement Cost in San Francisco, CA
- Hysterectomy Cost in San Francisco, CA
- Knee Replacement Cost in San Francisco, CA
- Mammogram Cost in San Francisco, CA
- Brain MRI Cost in San Francisco, CA
- Knee MRI Cost in San Francisco, CA
- Spinal Fusion Cost in San Francisco, CA
- Ultrasound Cost in San Francisco, CA
- X-Ray Cost in San Francisco, CA
Related Articles
Interested in understanding healthcare costs and managing your medical expenses?
- Free Cost EstimatorCalculate your exact out-of-pocket cost for any procedure
- Free Bill ScreenerCheck whether your bill and paperwork are ready for a professional review
- Family Bill TrackerTrack costs across every family member and every bill in one place
- MRI Cost GuideCompare MRI prices across all 50 states
- Deductible vs Out-of-Pocket MaximumLearn how insurance cost-sharing works and what you actually pay
- Cost ExplorerBrowse procedures and compare prices across the country
- CT Scan Cost GuideFind detailed CT scan pricing for your state
- MRI Brain Cost GuideCompare brain MRI pricing
About the Author
John Caruso, FSA, MAAA
Healthcare actuary with 20+ years of experience in insurance pricing, medical billing systems, and healthcare cost analytics.
Connect on LinkedIn →Ready to take control of your healthcare costs?
Use the free cost estimator → · Get your bill screened for free → · See the family plan →