COVID-19 PCR test cost in Houston, TX
In Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX, 50 hospitals list a cash price for COVID-19 PCR test (SARS-CoV-2 lab test): from $49.32 to $295.00, with a median of $95.00. The lowest listed price is at HCA Houston Healthcare Northwest — $45.68 less than the median here. Across Texas, the median is $95.00 at 276 hospitals.
- The median here, $95.00, is 4% below the US median of $98.92.
- That is 1.9× Medicare's 2026 national rate for the same service ($51.31).
- Houston, TX ranks 3rd of 4 metro areas in Texas by median, cheapest first.
- 15 of 50 hospitals list a cash price equal to their full list price, with no self-pay discount.
Cash prices at 50 facilities across 20 cities for code 87635, as an outpatient — the setting a self-pay patient normally buys. Collected Nov 4, 2026; the hospital files themselves were last updated between Feb 28, 2026 and Sep 17, 2026.
Lowest$49.32HCA Houston Healthcare Northwest
Median$95.00half of hospitals charge less
Highest$295.00in this market
Difference6.0×highest vs lowest
Where each hospital's price falls
Each dot is one hospital's cash price on a scale from the lowest to the highest in Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX.
median
Lowest $49.32Highest $295.00
Hospitals, cheapest first
| Hospital | Cash price | List price | Insurers pay | Off list |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HCA Houston Healthcare Northwest lowest Houston, TX · (281) 440-1000 Infectious agent detection by nucleic acid (DNA or RNA); severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) (coronavirus disease ºCOVID-19»), amplified probe technique +1 more line at this price File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $49.32 | $49.32 | $2.96–$52.34 | — |
| Hsa St. Joseph Houston, TX · (713) 757-1000 SARS CoV2/19 (COVID19)+1 more line at this price File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $50.28 | $252.61 | $22.92–$252.61 | 80% |
| Harris Health Taub Loop Houston, TX · (713) 873-2000 SARS-COV-2 COVID-19 AMPLIFIED PROBE- NON CDC LAB 87635+2 more lines at this price File of Mar 24, 2026 · source file | $51.31 | $96.00 | $43.10–$112.88 | 47% |
| Harris Health Houston, TX · (713) 873-2000 SARS-COV-2 COVID19 AMPLIFIED PROBE NON CDC LAB LBJ 87635+2 more lines at this price File of Mar 24, 2026 · source file | $51.31 | $96.00 | $43.10–$112.88 | 47% |
| HCA Houston Healthcare Tomball Houston, TX · (281) 351-7500 COVID-19 DNA/RNA AMP+1 more line at this price File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $56.41 | $56.41 | $3.38–$52.34 | — |
| HCA Houston Healthcare Medical Center Houston, TX · (713) 527-5019 Infectious agent detection by nucleic acid (DNA or RNA); severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) (coronavirus disease ºCOVID-19»), amplified probe technique +1 more line at this price File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $58.03 | $58.03 | $3.48–$52.34 | — |
| HCA Houston Healthcare West Houston, TX · (281) 588-8080 COVID-19 DNA/RNA AMP+1 more line at this price File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $62.00 | $62.00 | $3.72–$55.80 | — |
| HCA Houston Mainland Texas City, TX · (281) 332-2511 Infectious agent detection by nucleic acid (DNA or RNA); severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) (coronavirus disease ºCOVID-19»), amplified probe technique +1 more line at this price File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $63.00 | $63.00 | $3.78–$56.70 | — |
| HCA Houston Healthcare Clear Lake Alvin, TX · (281) 332-2511 COVID-19 DNA/RNA AMP File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $63.99 | $63.99 | $22.40 | — |
| Texas Orthopedic Hospital Houston, TX · (713) 799-8600 COVID-19 DNA/RNA AMP+1 more line at this price File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $64.54 | $64.54 | $3.87–$58.09 | — |
| HCA Houston Healthcare Conroe Conroe, TX · (936) 539-1111 Infectious agent detection by nucleic acid (DNA or RNA); severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) (coronavirus disease ºCOVID-19»), amplified probe technique +1 more line at this price File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $66.47 | $66.47 | $3.99–$59.82 | — |
| HCA Houston Healthcare Southeast Pasadena, TX · (713) 359-1000 Infectious agent detection by nucleic acid (DNA or RNA); severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) (coronavirus disease ºCOVID-19»), amplified probe technique +1 more line at this price File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $70.00 | $70.00 | $4.20–$63.00 | — |
| HCA Houston Healthcare Pearland Houston, TX · (713) 770-7000 Infectious agent detection by nucleic acid (DNA or RNA); severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) (coronavirus disease ºCOVID-19»), amplified probe technique +1 more line at this price File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $70.39 | $70.39 | $4.22–$59.83 | — |
| The Womans Hospital of Texas Houston, TX · (713) 790-1234 Infectious agent detection by nucleic acid (DNA or RNA); severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) (coronavirus disease ºCOVID-19»), amplified probe technique +1 more line at this price File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $75.37 | $75.37 | $26.38–$52.34 | — |
| HCA Houston Healthcare Kingwood Humble, TX · (281) 359-7500 COVID-19 DNA/RNA AMP File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $76.47 | $76.47 | $4.59–$68.82 | — |
| HCA Houston Healthcare North Cypress Houston, TX · (281) 359-7500 Infectious agent detection by nucleic acid (DNA or RNA); severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) (coronavirus disease ºCOVID-19»), amplified probe technique +1 more line at this price File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $76.47 | $76.47 | $4.59–$65.00 | — |
| St Luke's Patients Medical Center Pasadena, TX · (281) 487-0700 SARS-COV-2 COVID-19 AMP PRB File of Feb 28, 2026 · source file | $82.85 | $236.70 | $40.95–$236.70 | 65% |
| The Community Hospital of Brazosport Lake Jackson, TX · (979) 297-4411 SARS-COV-2 COVID-19 AMP PRB File of Feb 28, 2026 · source file | $92.05 | $263.00 | $30.79–$214.99 | 65% |
| Houston Methodist Continuing Care Hospital Katy, TX HC SARS COV-2 RNA PCR QUAL FFPE+1 more line at this price File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $95.00 | $190.00 | — | 50% |
| Houston Methodist Cypress Hospital Cypress, TX · (346) 618-1506 HC SARS COV-2 RNA PCR QUAL FFPE+1 more line at this price File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $95.00 | $190.00 | — | 50% |
| Houston Methodist Baytown Hospital Baytown, TX · (281) 420-8600 HC SARS COV-2 RNA PCR QUAL FFPE+1 more line at this price File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $95.00 | $190.00 | — | 50% |
| Methodist Willowbrook Hospital Houston, TX · (281) 477-1000 HC SARS COV-2 RNA PCR QUAL FFPE+1 more line at this price File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $95.00 | $190.00 | — | 50% |
| Houston Methodist Clear Lake Hospital Nassau Bay, TX · (281) 333-5503 HC SARS-COV-2 RNA DDPCR, QUAL FFPE+1 more line at this price File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $95.00 | $190.00 | — | 50% |
| The Methodist Hospital Houston, TX · (713) 790-2221 HC SARS COV-2 RNA PCR QUAL FFPE+2 more lines at this price File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $95.00 | $190.00 | — | 50% |
| Houston Methodist The Woodlands Hospital The Woodlands, TX · (936) 270-2000 HC SARS-COV-2 RNA DDPCR, QUAL FFPE+1 more line at this price File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $95.00 | $190.00 | — | 50% |
| Methodist Sugar Land Hospital Sugar Land, TX · (281) 274-8000 HC SARS COV-2 RNA PCR QUAL FFPE+1 more line at this price File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $95.00 | $190.00 | — | 50% |
| Methodist West Houston Hospital Houston, TX · (832) 522-1000 HC SARS-COV-2 RNA DDPCR, QUAL FFPE+1 more line at this price File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $95.00 | $190.00 | — | 50% |
| Sweeny Community Hospital Sweeny, TX · (979) 548-3311 Amplifed DNA or RNA probe detection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (Covid-19) antigen File of Sep 8, 2026 · source file | $113.16 | $188.60 | $56.58–$188.60 | 40% |
| Memorial Hermann Pearland Hospital one side Pearland, TX · (713) 448-6796 HC IADNA SARS-COV-2 COVID-19 AMPLIFIED PROBE TQ - SARS-COV-2 RT PCR File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $120.96 | $378.00 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann Greater Heights Hospital one side Houston, TX · (713) 448-6796 HC IADNA SARS-COV-2 COVID-19 AMPLIFIED PROBE TQ - SARS-COV-2 RT PCR File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $120.96 | $378.00 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann Southwest Hospital one side Houston, TX · (713) 448-6796 HC IADNA SARS-COV-2 COVID-19 AMPLIFIED PROBE TQ - SARS-COV-2 RT PCR File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $120.96 | $378.00 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann Sugar Land Hospital one side Sugar Land, TX · (281) 725-5000 HC IADNA SARS-COV-2 COVID-19 AMPLIFIED PROBE TQ - SARS-COV-2 RT PCR File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $120.96 | $378.00 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann The Woodlands Medical Center one side The Woodlands, TX · (713) 448-6796 HC IADNA SARS-COV-2 COVID-19 AMPLIFIED PROBE TQ - SARS-COV-2 RT PCR File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $120.96 | $378.00 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann Southeast Hospital one side Houston, TX · (713) 448-6796 HC IADNA SARS-COV-2 COVID-19 AMPLIFIED PROBE TQ - SARS-COV-2 RT PCR File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $120.96 | $378.00 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann Northeast Hospital one side Humble, TX · (281) 540-7700 HC IADNA SARS-COV-2 COVID-19 AMPLIFIED PROBE TQ - SARS-COV-2 RT PCR File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $120.96 | $378.00 | — | 68% |
| Tirr Memorial Hermann one side Houston, TX HC IADNA SARS-COV-2 COVID-19 AMPLIFIED PROBE TQ - SARS-COV-2 RT PCR File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $120.96 | $378.00 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann Katy Hospital one side Katy, TX · (281) 392-1111 HC IADNA SARS-COV-2 COVID-19 AMPLIFIED PROBE TQ - SARS-COV-2 RT PCR File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $120.96 | $378.00 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann Memorial City Medical Center one side Houston, TX · (713) 242-3000 HC IADNA SARS-COV-2 COVID-19 AMPLIFIED PROBE TQ - SARS-COV-2 RT PCR File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $120.96 | $378.00 | — | 68% |
| Methodist Willowbrook Hospital Houston, TX · (281) 477-1000 HC SARS-COV-2 COVID-19 AMP PRB File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $133.50 | $267.00 | — | 50% |
| Methodist Sugar Land Hospital Sugar Land, TX · (281) 274-8000 HC SARS-COV-2 COVID-19 AMP PRB File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $133.50 | $267.00 | — | 50% |
| Houston Methodist Cypress Hospital Cypress, TX · (346) 618-1506 HC SARS-COV-2 COVID-19 AMP PRB File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $133.50 | $267.00 | — | 50% |
| Methodist West Houston Hospital Houston, TX · (832) 522-1000 HC SARS-COV-2 COVID-19 AMP PRB File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $133.50 | $267.00 | — | 50% |
| Houston Methodist Baytown Hospital Baytown, TX · (281) 420-8600 HC SARS-COV-2 COVID-19 AMP PRB File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $133.50 | $267.00 | — | 50% |
| Houston Methodist The Woodlands Hospital The Woodlands, TX · (936) 270-2000 HC SARS-COV-2 COVID-19 AMP PRB File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $133.50 | $267.00 | — | 50% |
| Houston Methodist Clear Lake Hospital Nassau Bay, TX · (281) 333-5503 HC SARS-COV-2 COVID-19 AMP PRB File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $133.50 | $267.00 | — | 50% |
| Houston Methodist Continuing Care Hospital Katy, TX HC SARS-COV-2 COVID-19 AMP PRB File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $133.50 | $267.00 | — | 50% |
| Elite Hospital Kingwood Kingwood, TX · (832) 777-6165 COVID-19 File of Sep 17, 2026 · source file | $137.88 | $275.75 | $206.82 | 50% |
| Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center one side Houston, TX · (713) 704-3700 HC IADNA SARS-COV-2 COVID-19 AMPLIFIED PROBE TQ - SARS-COV-2 RT PCR File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $147.84 | $462.00 | — | 68% |
| Children's Memorial Hermann Hospital one side Houston, TX HC IADNA SARS-COV-2 COVID-19 AMPLIFIED PROBE TQ - SARS-COV-2 RT PCR File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $147.84 | $462.00 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann Imaging Center (Texas Medical Center) one side Houston, TX · (713) 704-3700 HC IADNA SARS-COV-2 COVID-19 AMPLIFIED PROBE TQ - SARS-COV-2 RT PCR File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $147.84 | $462.00 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann Imaging Center (Cypress) one side Cypress, TX · (713) 704-3700 HC IADNA SARS-COV-2 COVID-19 AMPLIFIED PROBE TQ - SARS-COV-2 RT PCR File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $147.84 | $462.00 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann Imaging Center (Upper Kirby) one side Houston, TX · (713) 704-3700 HC IADNA SARS-COV-2 COVID-19 AMPLIFIED PROBE TQ - SARS-COV-2 RT PCR File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $147.84 | $462.00 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann Imaging Center (Bellaire) one side Bellaire, TX · (713) 704-3700 HC IADNA SARS-COV-2 COVID-19 AMPLIFIED PROBE TQ - SARS-COV-2 RT PCR File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $147.84 | $462.00 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann Rockets Orthopedic Hospital one side Bellaire, TX HC IADNA SARS-COV-2 COVID-19 AMPLIFIED PROBE TQ - SARS-COV-2 RT PCR File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $147.84 | $462.00 | — | 68% |
| Memorial Hermann Cypress Hospital one side Cypress, TX · (713) 704-3700 HC IADNA SARS-COV-2 COVID-19 AMPLIFIED PROBE TQ - SARS-COV-2 RT PCR File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $147.84 | $462.00 | — | 68% |
| Voyages of Sugar Land South Sugar Land, TX SARS-Cov-2 Cov10-19 File of Aug 6, 2026 · source file | $188.80 | $188.80 | $47.20–$141.60 | — |
| Liberty Dayton Regional Medical Center Liberty, TX · (936) 336-7316 Sars-cov-2 Rna (Covid-19), Qualitative Naat Qst+2 more lines at this price source file | $245.00 | $350.00 | $210.00–$333.00 | 30% |
| Cornerstone Hospital Conroe Conroe, TX COVID-19 CORONAVIRUS+1 more line at this price File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $295.00 | $295.00 | — | — |
Hospital The hospital that published the price, its city and the line exactly as written in its price file.
Cash price The hospital's own price for a patient paying without insurance (“discounted cash” in its price file). Hospitals must publish it under federal law, 45 CFR 180.50. Call to confirm it before booking. More
List price The hospital's full chargemaster price (“gross charge”) before any discount. Almost nobody pays it; the gap to the cash price shows what the self-pay discount is worth. More
Insurers pay The lowest and highest rates this hospital has agreed with insurance plans for the same item, from its price file. If the cash price is below what your plan pays and you have not met your deductible, paying cash can cost you less. More
Off list How much lower the cash price is than the list price.
No cash discount This line's cash price equals the hospital's full list price. Many hospitals still reduce bills for uninsured patients: ask the billing office for its self-pay discount in writing. More
Outpatient: lowest $49.32, median $95.00, highest $295.00 — a 6.0× difference within the same market.
As an inpatient, the same code is billed by 34 facilities here, median $120.96. Inpatient and outpatient prices are not comparable and are kept on separate pages: the inpatient charge covers admission, not the same purchase.
Cash or insurance?
At 9 of 22 hospitals that publish insurer rates for this code here, the cash price is below the highest rate a health plan has negotiated, and at 2 it is below every plan's rate. If you have insurance but have not met your deductible, you usually pay your plan's negotiated rate, which falls somewhere in the "Insurers pay" column. Paying cash can cost less, but a cash payment usually does not count toward your deductible. Ask the hospital for both numbers before you book.
What COVID-19 PCR test is, what the price covers and why prices differ: COVID-19 PCR test explained.