MRI Cost in California (2026): Average Prices & What You'll Pay

What does a mri cost in California?

For a commercially insured patient, an mri in California typically runs $399–$1,318 once facility and physician fees are combined. The median reported facility price across 208 hospitals is $774. The figures draw on CMS fee schedules and hospital price transparency data published under federal law.

Where mri costs vary in California

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.

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.

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Why prices vary - and what it means for your coverage

A small number of hospitals (31) report prices above $3,108, including Patient's Hospital of Redding at $6,500, 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 $705 versus $900 inpatient (about 1.3× 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.

What you pay out of pocket on top of this depends on your deductible, your plan's out-of-pocket maximum, and whether every provider involved is in-network - not just the facility.

Frequently asked questions: MRI costs in California

How much does an MRI cost in California?

Across 208 California hospitals that publish prices, an MRI ranges from $102 to $19,919, with a median of $774. Most facilities fall between $305 and $1,148. 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 California?

Based on declared prices, the lowest-cost facility in our California data is ADVENTIST HEALTH - REEDLEY at about $52. By metro, Orange has the lowest median ($306). 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 California hospitals?

Prices vary up to 195.3× because each hospital sets its own list price, cash discount, and insurer-negotiated rates. In California, the median cash (self-pay) price is $774 versus a median negotiated rate of $264 - 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 California?

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.

CostKits compiles hospital price transparency data to help families make informed decisions. Track and manage your healthcare costs (free account).