MRI of the lower back, no contrast dye cost in North Carolina
In North Carolina, 37 hospitals publish a cash price for MRI of the lower back, no contrast dye: from $876.15 to $5,275.00, with a median of $2,013.08. The lowest price is at DUKE UNIVERSITY HEALTH SYSTEM, INC. Doing Business As: DUKE UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL (Raleigh) and 2 other hospitals. The highest price is 6.0× the lowest.
Outpatient cash prices, one line per hospital — its lowest listed price for code 72148. Prices for both sides of the body and inpatient prices are not mixed in. Collected Sep 24, 2026.
Lowest$876.15DUKE UNIVERSITY HEALTH SYSTEM, INC. Doing Business As: DUKE UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL + 2 more
Median$2,013.08half pay less
Highest$5,275.00in North Carolina
Lowest saves$1,136.93vs the median
Hospitals in North Carolina, cheapest first
| Hospital | Cash price | List price | File date |
|---|---|---|---|
| DUKE UNIVERSITY HEALTH SYSTEM, INC. Doing Business As: DUKE UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL lowest Raleigh · Raleigh-Cary, NC MRI Lumb Spine WO Cntrst | $876.15 | $3,245.00 | — source file |
| DUKE UNIVERSITY HEALTH SYSTEM, INC. Doing Business As: DUKE UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL lowest Durham · Durham, NC MRI Lumb Spine WO Cntrst | $876.15 | $3,245.00 | — source file |
| DUKE UNIVERSITY HEALTH SYSTEM, INC. Doing Business As: DURHAM REGIONAL HOSPITAL lowest Durham · Durham-Chapel Hill, NC MRI Lumb Spine WO Cntrst | $876.15 | $3,245.00 | — source file |
| Murphy Medical Center INC Murphy · Murphy, NC HC MRI Spine Lumbar W/O Contrast | $1,248.80 | $1,784.00 | Jan 25, 2026 source file |
| DUKE HEALTH LAKE NORMAN REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER, INC. Doing Business As: DUKE HEALTH LAKE NORMAN HOSPITAL Mooresville · Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC MRI Lumb Spine WO Cntrst | $1,271.43 | $4,709.00 | — source file |
| North Carolina Baptist Hospital Bermuda Run · Winston-Salem, NC HC MRI SPINAL CANAL LUMBAR W/O CONTRAST MATERIAL | $1,353.00 | $2,706.00 | Oct 21, 2025 source file |
| North Carolina Baptist Hospital Winston Salem · Winston-Salem, NC HC MRI SPINAL CANAL LUMBAR W/O CONTRAST MATERIAL | $1,427.50 | $2,855.00 | Oct 8, 2025 source file |
| Lexington Medical Center Lexington · Winston-Salem, NC HC MRI SPINAL CANAL LUMBAR W/O CONTRAST MATERIAL | $1,459.00 | $2,918.00 | Oct 8, 2025 source file |
| Sentara Albemarle Regional Medical Center, LLC Elizabeth City · Elizabeth City, NC Chgr-Mr Lumbar Spine W / O Contrast | $1,518.00 | $3,036.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| High Point Regional Health High Point · Greensboro-High Point, NC HC MRI SPINAL CANAL LUMBAR W/O CONTRAST MATERIAL | $1,608.50 | $3,217.00 | Oct 8, 2025 source file |
| WRMC Hospital Operating Corporation Elkin · Mount Airy, NC HC MRI SPINAL CANAL LUMBAR W/O CONTRAST MATERIAL | $1,832.00 | $3,664.00 | Jul 16, 2026 source file |
| WRMC Hospital Operating Corporation North Wilkesboro · North Wilkesboro, NC HC MRI SPINAL CANAL LUMBAR W/O CONTRAST MATERIAL | $1,832.00 | $3,664.00 | Oct 8, 2025 source file |
| Atrium Health Hospitals Inc Wadesboro · Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC HC MRI SPINAL CANAL LUMBAR W/O CONTRAST MATERIAL | $2,013.08 | $4,026.15 | Dec 1, 2025 source file |
| Atrium Health Hospitals Inc Shelby · Shelby-Kings Mountain, NC HC MRI SPINAL CANAL LUMBAR W/O CONTRAST MATERIAL | $2,013.08 | $4,026.15 | Dec 1, 2025 source file |
| Atrium Health Hospitals Inc Lincolnton · Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC HC MRI SPINAL CANAL LUMBAR W/O CONTRAST MATERIAL | $2,013.08 | $4,026.15 | Dec 1, 2025 source file |
| Carolinas Medical Center Charlotte · Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC HC MRI SPINAL CANAL LUMBAR W/O CONTRAST MATERIAL | $2,013.08 | $4,026.15 | Dec 4, 2025 source file |
| Carolinas Rehabilitation Charlotte · Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC HC MRI SPINAL CANAL LUMBAR W/O CONTRAST MATERIAL | $2,013.08 | $4,026.15 | Dec 5, 2025 source file |
| Carolinas Rehabilitation Belmont · Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC HC MRI SPINAL CANAL LUMBAR W/O CONTRAST MATERIAL | $2,013.08 | $4,026.15 | Dec 5, 2025 source file |
| Carolinas Rehabilitation Concord · Concord, NC HC MRI SPINAL CANAL LUMBAR W/O CONTRAST MATERIAL | $2,013.08 | $4,026.15 | Dec 5, 2025 source file |
| The Charlotte Mecklenburg Hospital Authority Concord · Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC HC MRI SPINAL CANAL LUMBAR W/O CONTRAST MATERIAL | $2,013.08 | $4,026.15 | Dec 1, 2025 source file |
| The Charlotte Mecklenburg Hospital Authority Charlotte · Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC HC MRI SPINAL CANAL LUMBAR W/O CONTRAST MATERIAL | $2,013.08 | $4,026.15 | Dec 5, 2025 source file |
| The Charlotte Mecklenburg Hospital Authority Monroe · Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC HC MRI SPINAL CANAL LUMBAR W/O CONTRAST MATERIAL | $2,013.08 | $4,026.15 | Dec 4, 2025 source file |
| Atrium Health Hospitals Inc Albermarle · Albemarle, NC HC MRI SPINAL CANAL LUMBAR W/O CONTRAST MATERIAL | $2,097.00 | $4,194.00 | Sep 15, 2026 source file |
| Pitt County Memorial Hospital, Inc. Washington · Washington, NC MRI L-Spine W/O Contrast | $2,227.59 | $4,203.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Pitt County Memorial Hospital, Inc. Greenville · Greenville, NC MRI L-Spine W/O Contrast | $2,227.59 | $4,203.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| East Carolina Health-Bertie Windsor · Windsor, NC MRI L-Spine W/O Contrast | $2,256.24 | $4,029.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| East Carolina Health-Heritage, Inc. Tarboro · Rocky Mount, NC MRI L-Spine W/O Contrast | $2,294.32 | $4,097.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| The Outer Banks Hospital, Inc. Nags Head · Kill Devil Hills, NC MRI L-Spine W/O Contrast | $2,327.36 | $4,156.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Halifax Regional Medical Center, Inc. Roanoke Rapids · Roanoke Rapids, NC MRI L-Spine W/O Contrast | $2,983.68 | $5,328.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Duplin General Hospital, Inc. Kenansville · Kenansville, NC MRI L-Spine W/O Contrast | $3,151.68 | $5,628.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| East Carolina Health Ahoskie · Ahoskie, NC MRI L-Spine W/O Contrast | $3,151.68 | $5,628.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| East Carolina Health-Chowan, Inc. Edenton · Edenton, NC MRI L-Spine W/O Contrast | $3,167.36 | $5,656.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| AdventHealth Polk Columbus · Columbus, NC HC MRI, LUMBAR SPINE | $3,434.34 | $3,434.34 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Adventhealth Hendersonville Hendersonville · Asheville, NC HC MRI, LUMBAR SPINE | $4,104.00 | $4,104.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Gaston Memorial Hospital Gastonia · Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC HCHG MRI LUMBAR SPINE WO CONT | $5,275.00 | $5,275.00 | May 11, 2026 source file |
| Gaston Memorial Hospital Mount Holly · Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC HCHG MRI LUMBAR SPINE WO CONT | $5,275.00 | $5,275.00 | May 11, 2026 source file |
| Gaston Memorial Hospital Belmont · Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC HCHG MRI LUMBAR SPINE WO CONT | $5,275.00 | $5,275.00 | May 11, 2026 source file |
By metro area
Each metro page compares every listing, including prices for both sides of the body.
| Metro area | Hospitals | Lowest | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | 12 | $1,271.43 | $2,013.08 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | 3 | $1,353.00 | $1,427.50 |
| Ahoskie, NC | 1 | $3,151.68 | $3,151.68 |
| Albemarle, NC | 1 | $2,097.00 | $2,097.00 |
| Asheville, NC | 1 | $4,104.00 | $4,104.00 |
| Columbus, NC | 1 | $3,434.34 | $3,434.34 |
| Concord, NC | 1 | $2,013.08 | $2,013.08 |
| Durham, NC | 1 | $876.15 | $876.15 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | 1 | $876.15 | $876.15 |
| Edenton, NC | 1 | $3,167.36 | $3,167.36 |
| Elizabeth City, NC | 1 | $1,518.00 | $1,518.00 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | 1 | $1,608.50 | $1,608.50 |
| Greenville, NC | 1 | $2,227.59 | $2,227.59 |
| Kenansville, NC | 1 | $3,151.68 | $3,151.68 |
| Kill Devil Hills, NC | 1 | $2,327.36 | $2,327.36 |
| Murphy, NC | 1 | $1,248.80 | $1,248.80 |
| Mount Airy, NC | 1 | $1,832.00 | $1,832.00 |
| North Wilkesboro, NC | 1 | $1,832.00 | $1,832.00 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | 1 | $876.15 | $876.15 |
| Roanoke Rapids, NC | 1 | $2,983.68 | $2,983.68 |
| Rocky Mount, NC | 1 | $2,294.32 | $2,294.32 |
| Shelby-Kings Mountain, NC | 1 | $2,013.08 | $2,013.08 |
| Windsor, NC | 1 | $2,256.24 | $2,256.24 |
| Washington, NC | 1 | $2,227.59 | $2,227.59 |
What it is
An MRI of the lower back uses a magnet and radio waves to make detailed pictures of the lumbar spine, including discs, nerves and the spinal canal. It is commonly ordered for back pain that spreads down the leg, numbness or weakness. No contrast dye is used.
What the price covers
The hospital price usually covers the scan. The radiologist's interpretation is often billed separately.
MRI of the lower back, no contrast dye in other states
- Alabama$2,629.06
- Alaska$2,642.99
- Arizona$726.38
- Arkansas$847.20
- California$2,665.50
- Colorado$981.91
- Connecticut$1,508.65
- Delaware$2,452.48
- Florida$2,324.67
- Georgia$1,775.67
- Hawaii$1,510.20
- Idaho$1,857.00
- Illinois$1,777.50
- Indiana$948.06
- Iowa$1,502.64
- Kansas$1,694.40
- Kentucky$3,235.67
- Louisiana$1,017.63
- Maine$1,293.45
- Maryland$469.03
- Massachusetts$2,312.47
- Michigan$1,426.00
- Minnesota$1,240.46
- Mississippi$682.50
- Missouri$1,862.90
- Montana$1,848.37
- Nebraska$1,503.82
- Nevada$1,950.95
- New Hampshire$1,875.33
- New Jersey$322.54
- New Mexico$1,592.17
- New York$1,008.83
- North Dakota$1,723.78
- Ohio$1,309.10
- Oklahoma$1,030.18
- Oregon$1,776.00
- Pennsylvania$1,790.00
- Puerto Rico$690.00
- Rhode Island$1,258.00
- South Carolina$2,759.50
- South Dakota$3,189.60
- Tennessee$705.00
- Texas$2,190.02
- Utah$2,229.06
- Vermont$2,912.70
- Virginia$1,954.80
- Washington$2,114.45
- West Virginia$1,381.00
- Wisconsin$1,621.22
- Wyoming$1,227.35
Median cash price across the state's hospitals.