MRI brain with and without contrast in California
Below is what hospitals in California charge if you pay cash, and the typical rate insurers negotiated.
Cash prices at 76 hospitals in California run from $70 to $10,021. The typical hospital charges $4,595. Where a hospital sits on this scale matters more than the number alone:
typical: $4,595
Cheaper than most hospitalsPricier than most hospitals
82 hospitals. Sort by: Cash price ▲ · Negotiated median · Gross charge · Negotiated low
What these numbers mean.
Cash price is what the hospital lists for patients paying out of pocket.
Negotiated median is the middle of what insurance companies actually agreed to pay.
Gross charge is the sticker price — almost nobody pays it.
What you will actually pay is usually different from both numbers:
with insurance, your deductible, copay, or coinsurance decides what you owe —
the negotiated rate is what the insurer pays, not your bill.
A single line item may not be the whole cost: physician, anesthesia, pathology,
and facility fees can be billed separately.
Prices vary by hospital and change over time; always confirm with the hospital before you go.
| Hospital | Cash price | Where it sits | Insurance pays (typical) | Gross charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Glendale Adventist Medical Center CA · Price file July 30, 2026 | $70Insurance typically pays $311Sticker price $470 | Lowest price of any hospital | $311 | $470 |
| Adventist Health Sonora CA · Price file May 23, 2026 | $72Insurance typically pays $375Sticker price $426 | Cheaper than 99% of hospitals | $375 | $426 |
| Adventist Health Reedley CA · Price file August 2, 2026 | $81Insurance typically pays $311Sticker price $426 | Cheaper than 97% of hospitals | $311 | $426 |
| Adventist Health Ukiah Valley CA · Price file May 24, 2026 | $85Insurance typically pays $468Sticker price $426 | Cheaper than 96% of hospitals | $468 | $426 |
| Adventist Health Tehachapi Valley CA · Price file May 21, 2026 | $115Insurance typically pays $382Sticker price $426 | Cheaper than 95% of hospitals | $382 | $426 |
| Adventist Health Howard Memorial CA · Price file August 2, 2026 | $128Insurance typically pays $311Sticker price $426 | Cheaper than 93% of hospitals | $311 | $426 |
| Eisenhower Medical Center Rancho Mirage, CA · Price file April 2, 2026 | $167Insurance typically pays $449Sticker price $7,207 | Cheaper than 92% of hospitals | $449 | $7,207 |
| Adventist Health Mendocino Coast CA · Price file August 2, 2026 | $281Insurance typically pays $426Sticker price $426 | Cheaper than 91% of hospitals | $426 | $426 |
| Adventist Health Lodi Memorial CA · Price file August 2, 2026 | $566Insurance typically pays $460Sticker price $8,084 | Cheaper than 89% of hospitals | $460 | $8,084 |
| Community Memorial Hospital - Ventura Ventura, CA · Price file June 15, 2026 | $914Insurance typically pays —Sticker price $2,286 | Cheaper than 88% of hospitals | — | $2,286 |
| Adventist Health Bakersfield CA · Price file October 5, 2026 | $1,082Insurance typically pays $594Sticker price $7,216 | Cheaper than 87% of hospitals | $594 | $7,216 |
| Encompass Health Rehabilitaton Hospital Of Bakers Modesto, CA | $1,090Insurance typically pays —Sticker price $1,454 | Cheaper than 85% of hospitals | — | $1,454 |
| Adventist Health Simi Valley CA · Price file May 21, 2026 | $1,282Insurance typically pays $3,122Sticker price $8,010 | Cheaper than 84% of hospitals | $3,122 | $8,010 |
| Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital Of Tustin Modesto, CA | $1,420Insurance typically pays —Sticker price $1,893 | Cheaper than 83% of hospitals | — | $1,893 |
| San Antonio Regional Hospital CA · Price file April 2, 2026 | $1,461Insurance typically pays $773Sticker price $15,539 | Cheaper than 81% of hospitals | $773 | $15,539 |
| Adventist Health St Helena CA | $1,655Insurance typically pays $1,725Sticker price $11,034 | Cheaper than 80% of hospitals | $1,725 | $11,034 |
| Adventist Health Tulare CA · Price file May 22, 2026 | $1,708Insurance typically pays $449Sticker price $8,988 | Cheaper than 79% of hospitals | $449 | $8,988 |
| Adventist Health Hanford CA · Price file August 1, 2026 | $1,708Insurance typically pays $449Sticker price $8,988 | Cheaper than 79% of hospitals | $449 | $8,988 |
| University Of California Irvine Medical Center CA · Price file July 1, 2024 | $1,763Insurance typically pays —Sticker price $5,878 | Cheaper than 76% of hospitals | — | $5,878 |
| Adventist Health Delano CA · Price file July 29, 2026 | $1,819Insurance typically pays $772Sticker price $9,093 | Cheaper than 75% of hospitals | $772 | $9,093 |
| Oak Valley Hospital District CA · Price file July 17, 2026 | $1,962Insurance typically pays $1,517Sticker price $2,616 | Cheaper than 73% of hospitals | $1,517 | $2,616 |
| Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital Of Murrie Modesto, CA | $2,192Insurance typically pays —Sticker price $2,922 | Cheaper than 72% of hospitals | — | $2,922 |
| Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital Of Modest Modesto, CA | $2,305Insurance typically pays —Sticker price $3,073 | Cheaper than 71% of hospitals | — | $3,073 |
| White Memorial Medical Center CA | $2,544Insurance typically pays $635Sticker price $14,136 | Cheaper than 69% of hospitals | $635 | $14,136 |
| Providence Little Company Of Mary Med Ctr Torrance CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $2,638Insurance typically pays $771Sticker price $7,537 | Cheaper than 68% of hospitals | $771 | $7,537 |
| Providence Little Co Of Mary Med Ctr San Pedro CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $2,638Insurance typically pays $747Sticker price $7,537 | Cheaper than 68% of hospitals | $747 | $7,537 |
| Adventist Health And Rideout CA · Price file July 6, 2026 | $2,837Insurance typically pays $5,939Sticker price $12,896 | Cheaper than 65% of hospitals | $5,939 | $12,896 |
| Providence Holy Cross Medical Center CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $2,895Insurance typically pays $671Sticker price $8,272 | Cheaper than 64% of hospitals | $671 | $8,272 |
| Orchard Hospital CA · Price file October 23, 2026 | $3,256Insurance typically pays $594Sticker price $5,427 | Cheaper than 63% of hospitals | $594 | $5,427 |
| Redlands Community Hospital CA · Price file June 19, 2026 | $3,288Insurance typically pays $583Sticker price $13,700 | Cheaper than 61% of hospitals | $583 | $13,700 |
| Kaweah Health Medical Center CA · Price file July 14, 2026 | $3,304Insurance typically pays —Sticker price $3,304 | Cheaper than 60% of hospitals | — | $3,304 |
| Natividad Medical Center CA · Price file August 14, 2026 | $3,321Insurance typically pays $404Sticker price $3,321 | Cheaper than 59% of hospitals | $404 | $3,321 |
| Providence Queen Of The Valley Medical Center CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $3,549Insurance typically pays $616Sticker price $5,070 | Cheaper than 57% of hospitals | $616 | $5,070 |
| Adventist Health Clearlake CA · Price file July 29, 2026 | $3,575Insurance typically pays $7,448Sticker price $9,931 | Cheaper than 56% of hospitals | $7,448 | $9,931 |
| Providence St. Joseph Hospital CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $3,591Insurance typically pays $611Sticker price $7,481 | Cheaper than 55% of hospitals | $611 | $7,481 |
| Tahoe Forest Hospital CA · Price file September 28, 2026 | $3,648Insurance typically pays $674Sticker price $3,648 | Cheaper than 53% of hospitals | $674 | $3,648 |
| Providence Mission Hospital CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $4,021Insurance typically pays $611Sticker price $8,378 | Cheaper than 52% of hospitals | $611 | $8,378 |
| El Camino Health Mountain View, CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $4,326Insurance typically pays —Sticker price $17,306 | Cheaper than 51% of hospitals | — | $17,306 |
| El Centro Regional Medical Center CA · Price file June 17, 2026 | $4,864Insurance typically pays $594Sticker price $6,949 | Pricier than 51% of hospitals | $594 | $6,949 |
| Providence Cedars Sinai Tarzana Medical Center CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $5,550Insurance typically pays $5,770Sticker price $7,115 | Pricier than 52% of hospitals | $5,770 | $7,115 |
| Providence St. Jude Medical Center CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $5,576Insurance typically pays $611Sticker price $11,616 | Pricier than 53% of hospitals | $611 | $11,616 |
| Emanate Health Foothill Presbyterian Hospital CA | $5,839Insurance typically pays $1,250Sticker price $5,839 | Pricier than 55% of hospitals | $1,250 | $5,839 |
| Emanate Health Inter-community Hospital CA | $5,839Insurance typically pays $1,250Sticker price $5,839 | Pricier than 55% of hospitals | $1,250 | $5,839 |
| Emanate Health Queen Of The Valley Hospital CA | $5,839Insurance typically pays $1,250Sticker price $5,839 | Pricier than 55% of hospitals | $1,250 | $5,839 |
| Marinhealth Medical Center Greenbrae, CA | $5,952Insurance typically pays —Sticker price $9,920 | Pricier than 59% of hospitals | — | $9,920 |
| Ventura County Medical Center - Santa Paula Hospital CA · Price file November 3, 2026 | $6,245Insurance typically pays $743Sticker price $12,490 | Pricier than 60% of hospitals | $743 | $12,490 |
| Sonoma Valley Hospital CA · Price file May 22, 2026 | $6,308Insurance typically pays $4,317Sticker price $9,012 | Pricier than 61% of hospitals | $4,317 | $9,012 |
| George L Mee Memorial Hospital CA · Price file October 28, 2026 | $6,706Insurance typically pays $7,154Sticker price $8,942 | Pricier than 63% of hospitals | $7,154 | $8,942 |
| Stanford Health Care CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $6,788Insurance typically pays $513Sticker price $16,970 | Pricier than 64% of hospitals | $513 | $16,970 |
| Chinese Hospital CA · Price file July 22, 2026 | $6,946Insurance typically pays $761Sticker price $6,946 | Pricier than 65% of hospitals | $761 | $6,946 |
| Lucile Salter Packard Children's Hsp At Stanford CA · Price file March 31, 2026 | $7,818Insurance typically pays $7,799Sticker price $15,635 | Pricier than 67% of hospitals | $7,799 | $15,635 |
| Sutter Delta Medical Center CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $8,334Insurance typically pays $4,923Sticker price $8,334 | Pricier than 68% of hospitals | $4,923 | $8,334 |
| Sutter Davis Hospital CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $8,334Insurance typically pays $449Sticker price $8,334 | Pricier than 68% of hospitals | $449 | $8,334 |
| Sutter Coast Hospital CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $8,334Insurance typically pays $449Sticker price $8,334 | Pricier than 68% of hospitals | $449 | $8,334 |
| Novato Community Hospital CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $8,334Insurance typically pays $4,923Sticker price $8,334 | Pricier than 68% of hospitals | $4,923 | $8,334 |
| Memorial Medical Center CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $8,334Insurance typically pays $449Sticker price $8,334 | Pricier than 68% of hospitals | $449 | $8,334 |
| Sutter Lakeside Hospital CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $8,334Insurance typically pays $4,923Sticker price $8,334 | Pricier than 68% of hospitals | $4,923 | $8,334 |
| Sutter Maternity Surgery Center Of Santa Cruz CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $8,334Insurance typically pays $4,923Sticker price $8,334 | Pricier than 68% of hospitals | $4,923 | $8,334 |
| Sutter Tracy Community Hospital CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $8,334Insurance typically pays $449Sticker price $8,334 | Pricier than 68% of hospitals | $449 | $8,334 |
| Sutter Amador Hospital CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $8,334Insurance typically pays $449Sticker price $8,334 | Pricier than 68% of hospitals | $449 | $8,334 |
| Eden Medical Center CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $8,334Insurance typically pays $4,923Sticker price $8,334 | Pricier than 68% of hospitals | $4,923 | $8,334 |
| Mills-peninsula Medical Center CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $8,334Insurance typically pays $4,923Sticker price $8,334 | Pricier than 68% of hospitals | $4,923 | $8,334 |
| Alta Bates Summit Medical Center - Alta Bates Camp CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $8,334Insurance typically pays $4,923Sticker price $8,334 | Pricier than 68% of hospitals | $4,923 | $8,334 |
| Sutter Medical Center Sacramento CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $8,334Insurance typically pays $449Sticker price $8,334 | Pricier than 68% of hospitals | $449 | $8,334 |
| Sutter Roseville Medical Center CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $8,334Insurance typically pays $449Sticker price $8,334 | Pricier than 68% of hospitals | $449 | $8,334 |
| Sutter Surgical Hospital North Valley CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $8,334Insurance typically pays $4,317Sticker price $8,334 | Pricier than 68% of hospitals | $4,317 | $8,334 |
| Sutter Santa Rosa Regional Hospital CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $8,334Insurance typically pays $4,923Sticker price $8,334 | Pricier than 68% of hospitals | $4,923 | $8,334 |
| Sutter Solano Medical Center CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $8,334Insurance typically pays $449Sticker price $8,334 | Pricier than 68% of hospitals | $449 | $8,334 |
| California Pacific Medical Ctr-davies Campus Hosp CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $8,334Insurance typically pays $4,923Sticker price $8,334 | Pricier than 68% of hospitals | $4,923 | $8,334 |
| California Pacific Medical Center Van Ness Campus CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $8,334Insurance typically pays $4,923Sticker price $8,334 | Pricier than 68% of hospitals | $4,923 | $8,334 |
| California Pacific Medical Center - Mission Bernal CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $8,334Insurance typically pays $4,923Sticker price $8,334 | Pricier than 68% of hospitals | $4,923 | $8,334 |
| Memorial Hospital Los Banos CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $8,334Insurance typically pays $449Sticker price $8,334 | Pricier than 68% of hospitals | $449 | $8,334 |
| Alta Bates Summit Medical Center CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $8,334Insurance typically pays $4,923Sticker price $8,334 | Pricier than 68% of hospitals | $4,923 | $8,334 |
| Sutter Auburn Faith Hospital CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $8,334Insurance typically pays $449Sticker price $8,334 | Pricier than 68% of hospitals | $449 | $8,334 |
| Sutter Center For Psychiatry CA · Price file April 1, 2026 | $8,334Insurance typically pays $449Sticker price $8,334 | Pricier than 68% of hospitals | $449 | $8,334 |
| Cedars Sinai Medical Center CA · Price file November 26, 2025 | $10,021Insurance typically pays $558Sticker price $15,417 | Highest price of any hospital | $558 | $15,417 |
| Good Samaritan Hospital CA | —Insurance typically pays $828Sticker price — | — | $828 | — |
| Los Robles Hospital Medical Center CA | —Insurance typically pays $828Sticker price — | — | $828 | — |
| Palmdale Regional Medical Center CA | —Insurance typically pays —Sticker price $10,955 | — | — | $10,955 |
| Southwest Healthcare System-wildomar CA | —Insurance typically pays —Sticker price $11,086 | — | — | $11,086 |
| West Hills Hospital Medical Center CA | —Insurance typically pays $828Sticker price — | — | $828 | — |
| Corona Regional Medical Center CA | —Insurance typically pays —Sticker price $12,532 | — | — | $12,532 |
Procedure code 70553. Prices are from each hospital's own published price file — see methodology.