How much you pay for a colonoscopy can depend a lot on where you live. Some cities offer dramatically lower prices for this procedure than others. In this friendly guide, we’ve identified the 10 most affordable U.S. cities for colonoscopy in 2025, based strictly on average out-of-pocket cost.

We only considered price (no quality or number of providers), so you can see where a colonoscopy hits the wallet least. For context, national costs can easily run over $2,000 (the U.S. average is about $2,750 for a colonoscopy) but the cities below come in well under that.

Let’s count down the cities where your colonoscopy could cost you the least out-of-pocket in 2025.

Des Moines, Iowa

Des Moines tops our list as the most budget-friendly city for a colonoscopy. Iowa has been noted for having the lowest average medical procedure costs in the country, and that frugality extends to colonoscopy prices.

Patients in Des Moines pay around $1,430 on average out-of-pocket for a colonoscopy, one of the absolute lowest rates in the U.S. This price is significantly below the national norm (about $1,650 at hospital outpatient facilities on average).

The lower cost of living and healthcare overhead in Iowa likely contributes to these savings, making Des Moines a clear winner for affordable colonoscopy screenings.

Sioux Falls, South Dakota

Sioux Falls is another Midwestern city where colonoscopy costs are remarkably low. In South Dakota, the typical colonoscopy runs about $1,478 on average for patients paying out-of-pocket. That’s hundreds below what you’d pay in many other places. South Dakota’s healthcare prices are generally modest, and in Sioux Falls this means major savings for common procedures.

At roughly $1,478 per colonoscopy, Sioux Falls offers one of the best bargains, reflecting the region’s lower medical fees and less expensive facility costs. It’s no surprise this city made the list – affordability is the key word here.

Wichita, Kansas

Wichita earns its spot with an average colonoscopy cost that’s hard to beat. In Kansas, a colonoscopy typically costs around $1,481 out-of-pocket on average, a testament to the low healthcare costs in the Sunflower State.

For patients in Wichita, this means a colonoscopy can be almost half the price of the same procedure in higher-cost cities like New York or Los Angeles. Kansas’s lower cost structure (from medical staff wages to facility fees) likely helps keep prices down.

Little Rock, Arkansas

Little Rock makes the list thanks to Arkansas’s rock-bottom colonoscopy prices. The average out-of-pocket cost for a colonoscopy here is roughly $1,489, placing Little Rock among the most affordable U.S. cities for this procedure.

Healthcare services in Arkansas are known for being relatively inexpensive, and colonoscopies are no exception. Little Rock’s medical providers offer lower fees and facility charges than many urban centers, which translates into big savings for patients.

Charlotte, North Carolina

Charlotte might be a bustling metro area, but it boasts an impressively low cost for colonoscopies. In North Carolina, the average patient out-of-pocket cost is about $1,489 as well, essentially tied with Arkansas for one of the lowest in the country.

North Carolina’s healthcare market manages to keep certain procedure prices down (even though insurance premiums in the state can be high). For colonoscopies, Charlotte stands out as a place where big-city amenities meet small-city prices. 

Nashville, Tennessee

Known for country music and hospitality, Nashville can now add affordable colonoscopies to its bragging rights. In Tennessee, the typical colonoscopy costs about $1,491 out-of-pocket on average. Nashville’s healthcare system benefits from the state’s generally lower medical service costs, allowing patients to pay less for procedures.

Nashville is far below what you’d likely pay in many coastal or big-market cities. This Southern city’s inclusion in our top 10 shows that even a growing metro area can keep healthcare prices in check. For anyone in the region, Nashville offers one of the cheapest colonoscopy rates you’ll find in 2025.

Albuquerque, New Mexico

Albuquerque makes a strong showing with an average colonoscopy cost of about $1,498 for self-paying patients. New Mexico’s healthcare prices are relatively low compared to many states, and Albuquerque, the state’s largest city, benefits from that affordability.

Factors like a lower cost of living and competitive healthcare providers likely help keep procedure fees down here. For those in the Southwest, Albuquerque is a highlight for value: it delivers quality medical services and one of the lowest colonoscopy bills you’ll encounter.

Birmingham, Alabama

In Birmingham, the out-of-pocket cost for a colonoscopy is refreshingly modest. Alabama’s average colonoscopy price is about $1,502 in an outpatient setting, putting Birmingham solidly on our list of affordable cities. This Southern city combines a robust medical community with the South’s characteristically lower healthcare costs.

Whether it’s due to lower hospital overhead or general cost-of-living, Birmingham gives patients an opportunity to get screened without breaking the bank.

Kansas City, Missouri

Kansas City (Missouri side) is famed for jazz and barbecue and now for a low-priced colonoscopy. Missourians pay about $1,510 on average out-of-pocket for a colonoscopy, and Kansas City benefits from this below-average cost structure. Despite being a major Midwestern metro, K.C. hasn’t succumbed to sky-high medical prices.

This affordability could stem from a competitive healthcare market in the region and relatively lower facility fees than coastal cities. For patients, it means you can get your colon cancer screening in KC with confidence that the price is among the lowest in the country.

Louisville, Kentucky

Rounding out our list is Louisville, where colonoscopy costs are impressively low for a city its size. In Kentucky, the average out-of-pocket cost for a colonoscopy is about $1,515, and Louisville’s healthcare providers offer screenings around that price point.

This is a welcome relief given that many U.S. cities charge hundreds more. Kentucky’s healthcare expenses tend to be moderate.

Louisville’s inclusion in the top 10 shows that even in 2025, affordable care can be found in a mid-sized, centrally located city, making it a smart choice for cost-conscious individuals needing a colonoscopy.

Sources: Official healthcare price transparency tools and databases were used to gather cost data, including Sidecar Health’s care calculator for state-by-state averages.

Additional context on national averages and state cost rankings was drawn from reputable analyses at GoodRx and Weiss & Paarz. All numbers are the most recent available (late 2024 data, for 2025 reference) and reflect average out-of-pocket prices for colonoscopy procedures, with cost being the sole criteria for this ranking.

Disclaimer

Before making any decisions regarding anesthesia, sedation options, colonoscopies, or any medical procedure, always consult with your physician, anesthesiologist, or qualified healthcare provider. This article should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.