X-Ray Cost in Charleston, SC (2026): Average Prices & What You'll Pay
What does a x-ray cost in Charleston, SC?
You could pay $53 or $59 for the same x-ray in Charleston, SC - depending entirely on which facility you choose. The median cash price across 2 reporting hospitals is $56. This data comes directly from hospital price transparency files published under federal law.
Where x-ray costs vary in Charleston, SC
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.
Cheapest X-Ray Providers in Charleston, SC
Based on declared cash/self-pay prices from CMS hospital price transparency files.
| # | Facility | City | Price | vs Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | East Cooper Medical Center | Mt Pleasant, SC | $63 | +$7 |
Prices are declared self-pay rates. Contact each facility for a formal quote before scheduling.
Quick take
- Ask for the cash price if your deductible isn't met - the median cash price here is $56, and it's often lower than what insurance pays before your deductible is satisfied.
- This dataset covers hospitals only - freestanding ASCs, which routinely run 30-60% cheaper for the same procedure, aren't included, so it's worth asking your doctor whether one is an option.
Prisma Health (formed from Palmetto Health and Greenville Health System) and Roper St. Francis are the two largest health systems, anchoring the Midlands and Lowcountry respectively. South Carolina's delayed Medicaid expansion maintained a higher uninsured population for years, influencing charity care structures and cash price policies at many facilities. 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
Setting matters too: the median outpatient price is $56 versus $49 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.
| Your situation | Estimated out-of-pocket |
|---|---|
| Deductible not yet met | ~$56 |
| Deductible met - 20% coinsurance | ~$11 |
| Out-of-network provider | $123+ |
Frequently asked questions: X-ray costs in Charleston, SC
How much does an X-ray cost in Charleston, SC?
Across 2 Charleston, SC hospitals that publish prices, an X-ray ranges from $49 to $63, with a median of $56. Most facilities fall between $52 and $59. 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 Charleston, SC?
Based on declared prices, the lowest-cost facility in our Charleston, SC data is MUSC Medical Center in Charleston at about $49. 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 Charleston, SC hospitals?
Prices vary up to 1.3× because each hospital sets its own list price, cash discount, and insurer-negotiated rates. In Charleston, SC, the median cash (self-pay) price is $56 versus a median negotiated rate of $32 - about 1.8× 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 Charleston, SC?
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
- How to read an EOB line by line
Other procedures in Charleston, SC
X-Ray, elsewhere
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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