Ultrasound Cost in Houston, TX (2026): Average Prices & What You'll Pay
What does a ultrasound cost in Houston, TX?
You could pay $93 or $167 for the same ultrasound in Houston, TX - depending entirely on which facility you choose. The median cash price across 43 reporting hospitals is $105. This data comes directly from hospital price transparency files published under federal law.
Once you have a bill or an appointment on the calendar, CostKits can help you keep it all organized.
Where ultrasound costs vary in Houston, TX
Pins show hospitals with price-transparency data (colored by vs. state average) and nearby 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.
The same ultrasound can be one bill or two - and the radiologist can be out-of-network even when the facility isn't.
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- ✓ How a complete vs. limited study changes the price - and the questions to ask first
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Cheapest Ultrasound Providers in Houston, TX
Based on declared cash/self-pay prices from CMS hospital price transparency files.
| # | Facility | City | Price | vs Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Harris Health | TX | $52 | -$53 |
| 2 | Clear Lake Institute for Rehabilitation LLC | Webster, TX | $53 | -$52 |
| 3 | PAM Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Sugar Land LLC | Sugar Land, TX | $56 | -$49 |
| 4 | Sweeny Community Hospital | TX | $58 | -$47 |
| 5 | OAKBEND MEDICAL CENTER | TX | $58 | -$47 |
| 6 | Aspire Behavioral Health Hospital | Conroe, TX | $68 | -$37 |
| 7 | The University of Texas Medical Branch | Galveston, TX | $79 | -$26 |
Prices are declared self-pay rates. Contact each facility for a formal quote before scheduling.
Email me this price comparison plus what to ask before booking
Unlocks all 43 facilities here and sends the full list with a short checklist of questions that change what you pay. We don't sell your information (privacy policy).
Before you book: three questions that change the price
- Is this the self-pay price, and does it include the doctor, anesthesia and any lab or pathology? Those are often billed separately.
- Can you give me the price in writing, with the billing codes it covers?
- What happens to the price if something extra is needed during the procedure?
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Quick take
- Harris Health is the lowest-cost option at $52 - $53 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 $105, and it's often lower than what insurance pays before your deductible is satisfied.
- Independent imaging centers often charge much less than hospital outpatient departments for the same scan and may not appear in this hospital-only dataset - ask your doctor whether one is an option.
Texas is the largest commercial hospital market in the country by revenue. HCA, Tenet, and Community Health Systems are significant for-profit players across the state. Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, and San Antonio have genuine multi-system competition that creates real price variation. Rural Texas - particularly West Texas and the Panhandle - has extensive critical access hospital coverage where pricing differs substantially from urban PPS hospitals. Ultrasound pricing varies more by body part and clinical indication than almost any other imaging type - an OB ultrasound, a vascular duplex study, and an abdominal ultrasound carry different CPT codes and reimbursement rates even though the equipment is the same. Independent imaging centers typically charge 40–60% less than hospital outpatient departments for the same study. The sonographer skill matters more than setting for diagnostic quality.
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Why prices vary - and what it means for your coverage
A small number of hospitals (9) report prices above $352, including Altus Houston Hospital LP dba West Chase Houston Hospital at $1,248, 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 $105 versus $93 inpatient, 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.
| Your situation | Estimated out-of-pocket |
|---|---|
| Deductible not yet met | ~$105 |
| Deductible met - 20% coinsurance | ~$21 |
| Out-of-network provider | $231+ |
Frequently asked questions: ultrasound costs in Houston, TX
How much does an ultrasound cost in Houston, TX?
The typical price is $105, with most facilities between $93 and $167. Full market pricing - including cash rates, gross charges, and outlier facilities - ranges more widely, from $18 to $1,248 across all 43 Houston, TX hospitals that publish prices. What you pay depends on the facility, your insurance, and whether you have met your deductible.
Where is the cheapest place to get an ultrasound in Houston, TX?
Based on declared prices, the lowest-cost facility in our Houston, TX data is Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Houston at The Medical Center in Houston at about $18. By metro, Webster has the lowest median ($73). Independent 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 ultrasound so much cheaper at some Houston, TX hospitals?
Prices vary up to 69.3× because each hospital sets its own list price, cash discount, and insurer-negotiated rates. In Houston, TX, the median cash (self-pay) price is $105 versus a median negotiated rate of $42 - about 2.5× 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 ultrasound in Houston, TX?
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
- How to read your medical bill
- How to stop medical bill problems before they start
- How to negotiate your medical bills
- Allowed amount vs negotiated rate: what your EOB is really saying
- Understanding your UnitedHealthcare EOB
Other procedures in Houston, TX
Ultrasound, elsewhere
What matters before you schedule
Imaging center vs. hospital
Hospital outpatient departments typically charge 2-4x more than independent imaging centers for the same ultrasound - 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.
Cost by type
Which type your doctor orders for this ultrasound changes the billing code, and what you pay. For example: A recognized variation that can change the billing code and what you owe.
This is shoppable
Ultrasound 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 ultrasound before you schedule.
CostKits compiles hospital price transparency data to help families make informed decisions. Track and manage your healthcare costs (free account).
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About the Author
John Caruso, FSA, MAAA
Healthcare actuary with 20+ years of experience in insurance pricing, medical billing systems, and healthcare cost analytics.
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