The median cost of MRI of the Lower Back (Lumbar) in the United States is $2,401 cash pay, with prices typically ranging from $1,320 to $5,800 depending on the metro area. ProcedureRadar scans federally mandated hospital pricing files across 18 major US metros to show you exactly what 136 hospitals charge for this procedure. Seattle is currently the cheapest metro at $1,320, while Los Angeles is the most expensive at $5,800, a difference of 339%.
The cost of MRI of the Lower Back (Lumbar) varies from $1,320 in Seattle to $5,800 in Los Angeles across 18 US metros, a difference of 339%, based on federal Hospital Price Transparency data updated monthly.
18 metros, ranked by median price. Dot position is price; center bullseye is cheapest. Hover a dot to see the metro.
| Metro | State | Median Price | Hospitals Reporting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta | GA | $2,555 | 5 |
| Boston | MA | $2,184 | 1 |
| Charlotte | NC | $1,609 | 12 |
| Chicago | IL | $4,061 | 20 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth | TX | $3,150 | 16 |
| Denver | CO | $1,584 | 3 |
| Detroit | MI | $1,900 | 4 |
| Houston | TX | $4,135 | 8 |
| Los Angeles | CA | $5,800 | 45 |
| Miami | FL | $3,457 | 3 |
| Minneapolis | MN | $2,452 | 1 |
| New York | NY | $1,578 | 1 |
| Philadelphia | PA | $2,351 | 1 |
| Phoenix | AZ | $4,740 | 5 |
| Portland | OR | $1,988 | 1 |
| Seattle | WA | $1,320 | 4 |
| St. Louis | MO | $1,795 | 5 |
| Washington DC | DC | $2,450 | 1 |
Sorted by cheapest median price. Click any metro to see every hospital and its full pricing breakdown.
Cash pay prices, nationwide. Every hospital here publishes its pricing under 45 CFR Part 180.
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Pricing for similar procedures, sourced from the same 136 hospitals.