X-Ray Cost in Chicago, IL (2026): Average Prices & What You'll Pay

What does a x-ray cost in Chicago, IL?

You could pay $43 or $144 for the same x-ray in Chicago, IL - depending entirely on which facility you choose. The median cash price across 63 reporting hospitals is $92. This data comes directly from hospital price transparency files published under federal law.

Where x-ray costs vary in Chicago, IL

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.

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Illinois presents two distinct markets: Chicago (highly competitive, high commercial rates, major academic medical centers) and downstate (lower density, smaller regional systems, lower rates). Northwestern Medicine, Advocate Aurora Health, and Rush University Medical Center compete aggressively in the Chicago market. Downstate Illinois prices typically run 20–35% below Chicago-area rates for identical services. X-ray is the most commoditized of all imaging procedures, and price differences are almost entirely explained by facility type: a hospital outpatient chest X-ray can cost 5–10× more than the same study at an urgent care center or independent imaging clinic. For non-emergency X-rays, asking your physician for a referral to an outpatient imaging center rather than a hospital radiology department is the simplest and most reliable cost reduction available.

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Why prices vary - and what it means for your coverage

A small number of hospitals (1) report prices above $366, including Silver Cross Hospital at $445, 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 $92 versus $43 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.

On top of the facility price, your actual bill depends on your deductible, your out-of-pocket maximum, and whether every provider involved - not just the facility - is in-network.

Frequently asked questions: X-ray costs in Chicago, IL

How much does an X-ray cost in Chicago, IL?

Across 63 Chicago, IL hospitals that publish prices, an X-ray ranges from $19 to $445, with a median of $92. Most facilities fall between $43 and $144. What you pay depends on the facility, your insurance, and whether you have met your deductible.

Where is the cheapest place to get an X-ray in Chicago, IL?

Based on declared prices, the lowest-cost facility in our Chicago, IL data is The University of Chicago Medical Center in Chicago at about $19. By metro, Naperville has the lowest median ($39). 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 X-ray so much cheaper at some Chicago, IL hospitals?

Prices vary up to 23.4× because each hospital sets its own list price, cash discount, and insurer-negotiated rates. In Chicago, IL, the median cash (self-pay) price is $92 versus a median negotiated rate of $43 - about 2.1× 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 X-ray in Chicago, IL?

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).