How Much Does Cataract Surgery Cost?
Updated for 2026 — national average costs with state-by-state breakdowns
Low End
$3,000
Average
$4,500
High End
$7,000
per eye
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What Does Cataract Surgery Include?
Cataract surgery removes the cloudy natural lens and replaces it with a clear artificial intraocular lens (IOL). It's the most commonly performed surgery in the US with a high success rate.
The national average cost for cataract surgery is $4,500 per eye. Most homeowners pay between $3,000 and $7,000, though costs can vary significantly based on your location, the scope of work, and other factors outlined below.
What Affects the Price?
With Insurance
Standard IOL: $500-$1,500 out of pocket. Premium IOL: $2,000-$5,000 out of pocket per eye
Without Insurance
Standard: $3,000-$5,000 per eye. Premium: $4,500-$7,000 per eye
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Key Cost Factors
- ✓Type of IOL (standard vs premium)
- ✓Surgeon experience
- ✓Facility type
- ✓Insurance coverage
- ✓Both eyes vs one
💡 Tips to Save Money
- 1.Standard monofocal IOLs are fully covered by most insurance — you only pay copay and deductible
- 2.Premium IOLs (multifocal, toric) are elective upgrades that cost $1,000-$3,000 extra per eye
- 3.Medicare covers cataract surgery with standard IOLs
- 4.Ask about doing both eyes at the same facility for potential savings
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📈 Cataract Surgery Cost Trends (2020–2024)
Prices have increased +17.8% over the last 5 years
$3,821
2020
$3,982
2021
$4,241
2022
$4,360
2023
$4,500
2024
| Year | National Avg | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $3,821 | — |
| 2021 | $3,982 | +4.2% |
| 2022 | $4,241 | +6.5% |
| 2023 | $4,360 | +2.8% |
| 2024 | $4,500 | +3.2% |
Based on national averages adjusted for annual inflation. Actual costs vary by location and project scope.
Cataract Surgery Cost by State
Costs vary significantly by state due to labor rates, cost of living, and local market conditions. Click any state for a detailed breakdown.
| State | Low | Average | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $2,460 | $3,690 | $5,740 |
| Alaska | $3,840 | $5,760 | $8,960 |
| Arizona | $2,850 | $4,275 | $6,650 |
| Arkansas | $2,400 | $3,600 | $5,600 |
| California | $4,050 | $6,075 | $9,450 |
| Colorado | $3,240 | $4,860 | $7,560 |
| Connecticut | $3,660 | $5,490 | $8,540 |
| Delaware | $3,150 | $4,725 | $7,350 |
| Florida | $2,940 | $4,410 | $6,860 |
| Georgia | $2,700 | $4,050 | $6,300 |
| Hawaii | $4,260 | $6,390 | $9,940 |
| Idaho | $2,760 | $4,140 | $6,440 |
| Illinois | $3,150 | $4,725 | $7,350 |
| Indiana | $2,640 | $3,960 | $6,160 |
| Iowa | $2,580 | $3,870 | $6,020 |
| Kansas | $2,550 | $3,825 | $5,950 |
| Kentucky | $2,520 | $3,780 | $5,880 |
| Louisiana | $2,610 | $3,915 | $6,090 |
| Maine | $3,060 | $4,590 | $7,140 |
| Maryland | $3,450 | $5,175 | $8,050 |
| Massachusetts | $3,900 | $5,850 | $9,100 |
| Michigan | $2,760 | $4,140 | $6,440 |
| Minnesota | $3,060 | $4,590 | $7,140 |
| Mississippi | $2,340 | $3,510 | $5,460 |
| Missouri | $2,610 | $3,915 | $6,090 |
| Montana | $2,850 | $4,275 | $6,650 |
| Nebraska | $2,640 | $3,960 | $6,160 |
| Nevada | $3,060 | $4,590 | $7,140 |
| New Hampshire | $3,360 | $5,040 | $7,840 |
| New Jersey | $3,750 | $5,625 | $8,750 |
| New Mexico | $2,700 | $4,050 | $6,300 |
| New York | $3,960 | $5,940 | $9,240 |
| North Carolina | $2,700 | $4,050 | $6,300 |
| North Dakota | $2,700 | $4,050 | $6,300 |
| Ohio | $2,700 | $4,050 | $6,300 |
| Oklahoma | $2,490 | $3,735 | $5,810 |
| Oregon | $3,300 | $4,950 | $7,700 |
| Pennsylvania | $3,060 | $4,590 | $7,140 |
| Rhode Island | $3,450 | $5,175 | $8,050 |
| South Carolina | $2,610 | $3,915 | $6,090 |
| South Dakota | $2,550 | $3,825 | $5,950 |
| Tennessee | $2,580 | $3,870 | $6,020 |
| Texas | $2,790 | $4,185 | $6,510 |
| Utah | $2,850 | $4,275 | $6,650 |
| Vermont | $3,240 | $4,860 | $7,560 |
| Virginia | $3,150 | $4,725 | $7,350 |
| Washington | $3,450 | $5,175 | $8,050 |
| West Virginia | $2,400 | $3,600 | $5,600 |
| Wisconsin | $2,820 | $4,230 | $6,580 |
| Wyoming | $2,760 | $4,140 | $6,440 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is cataract surgery safe?
Yes. It's one of the safest surgeries performed, with a 95%+ success rate. Most patients see significant improvement within days.
🏙️ Cataract Surgery Cost by City
Compare cataract surgery costs in the most popular US cities:
New York City
NY
$6,525
Los Angeles
CA
$6,210
Chicago
IL
$5,175
Houston
TX
$4,275
Phoenix
AZ
$4,410
Philadelphia
PA
$5,040
San Antonio
TX
$3,960
San Diego
CA
$5,940
Dallas
TX
$4,590
San Jose
CA
$6,840
Austin
TX
$4,725
Jacksonville
FL
$4,140
Fort Worth
TX
$4,275
Columbus
OH
$4,050
Charlotte
NC
$4,275
Indianapolis
IN
$3,960
View all 219 cities →
San Francisco, CA
$6,975
Seattle, WA
$5,850
Denver, CO
$5,175
Washington D.C., DC
$6,075
Nashville, TN
$4,500
Oklahoma City, OK
$3,690
El Paso, TX
$3,690
Boston, MA
$6,300
Portland, OR
$5,310
Las Vegas, NV
$4,590
Memphis, TN
$3,690
Louisville, KY
$3,825
Baltimore, MD
$4,950
Milwaukee, WI
$4,140
Albuquerque, NM
$3,960
Tucson, AZ
$3,960
Fresno, CA
$4,725
Sacramento, CA
$5,310
Mesa, AZ
$4,275
Kansas City, MO
$4,050
Atlanta, GA
$4,725
Omaha, NE
$3,960
Colorado Springs, CO
$4,590
Raleigh, NC
$4,410
Long Beach, CA
$6,075
Virginia Beach, VA
$4,725
Miami, FL
$5,400
Oakland, CA
$6,525
Minneapolis, MN
$4,860
Tampa, FL
$4,590
Tulsa, OK
$3,690
Arlington, TX
$4,275
New Orleans, LA
$4,275
Pittsburgh, PA
$4,275
St. Louis, MO
$3,960
Bakersfield, CA
$4,590
Anaheim, CA
$6,075
Honolulu, HI
$6,750
Santa Ana, CA
$5,940
Riverside, CA
$5,175
Corpus Christi, TX
$3,825
Lexington, KY
$3,960
Stockton, CA
$4,950
Henderson, NV
$4,590
St. Paul, MN
$4,725
Cincinnati, OH
$3,960
Anchorage, AK
$5,760
Greensboro, NC
$3,960
Plano, TX
$4,725
Newark, NJ
$5,625
Lincoln, NE
$3,825
Orlando, FL
$4,590
Irvine, CA
$6,300
Durham, NC
$4,275
Chula Vista, CA
$5,760
Toledo, OH
$3,690
Fort Wayne, IN
$3,690
Jersey City, NJ
$6,075
St. Petersburg, FL
$4,590
Laredo, TX
$3,600
Madison, WI
$4,410
Chandler, AZ
$4,410
Buffalo, NY
$4,140
Lubbock, TX
$3,690
Scottsdale, AZ
$5,040
Reno, NV
$4,725
Glendale, AZ
$4,275
Gilbert, AZ
$4,590
Winston-Salem, NC
$3,825
North Las Vegas, NV
$4,410
Norfolk, VA
$4,410
Chesapeake, VA
$4,590
Irving, TX
$4,500
Fremont, CA
$6,525
Richmond, VA
$4,410
Boise, ID
$4,410
San Bernardino, CA
$4,860
Spokane, WA
$4,275
Des Moines, IA
$3,825
Tacoma, WA
$5,175
Modesto, CA
$4,725
Fontana, CA
$4,950
Moreno Valley, CA
$4,860
Fayetteville, NC
$3,825
Birmingham, AL
$3,690
Rochester, NY
$4,140
Salt Lake City, UT
$4,725
Oxnard, CA
$5,490
Knoxville, TN
$3,825
Worcester, MA
$5,175
Brownsville, TX
$3,510
Grand Rapids, MI
$4,050
Newport News, VA
$4,275
Huntsville, AL
$3,825
Amarillo, TX
$3,690
Little Rock, AR
$3,690
Montgomery, AL
$3,600
Akron, OH
$3,690
Augusta, GA
$3,690
Baton Rouge, LA
$3,825
Mobile, AL
$3,600
Shreveport, LA
$3,600
Tallahassee, FL
$4,050
Hartford, CT
$5,175
Providence, RI
$5,040
Charleston, SC
$4,410
Savannah, GA
$3,960
Columbia, SC
$3,825
Chattanooga, TN
$3,825
Fort Lauderdale, FL
$5,310
Dayton, OH
$3,690
Sioux Falls, SD
$3,825
Springfield, MO
$3,600
Jackson, MS
$3,510
Palm Bay, FL
$4,275
Lakeland, FL
$4,140
Cape Coral, FL
$4,410
Pensacola, FL
$3,960
Port St. Lucie, FL
$4,410
Naperville, IL
$5,175
Tempe, AZ
$4,500
Overland Park, KS
$4,275
McKinney, TX
$4,590
Frisco, TX
$4,725
Cary, NC
$4,590
Clarksville, TN
$3,825
Cedar Rapids, IA
$3,690
Peoria, AZ
$4,410
Surprise, AZ
$4,275
Denton, TX
$4,410
Roseville, CA
$5,175
Gainesville, FL
$3,960
Bellevue, WA
$6,300
Murfreesboro, TN
$4,140
Round Rock, TX
$4,590
Columbia, MD
$5,175
Boulder, CO
$5,625
Ann Arbor, MI
$4,950
Santa Fe, NM
$4,725
Wilmington, NC
$4,140
Greenville, SC
$3,960
Fargo, ND
$3,825
Provo, UT
$4,410
Duluth, MN
$3,960
Billings, MT
$4,140
Missoula, MT
$4,410
Cheyenne, WY
$3,960
Burlington, VT
$4,860
Portland, ME
$4,860
Concord, NH
$4,725
Bismarck, ND
$3,825
Rapid City, SD
$3,825
Casper, WY
$3,960
Bangor, ME
$4,275
Charleston, WV
$3,600
Dover, DE
$4,410
Manchester, NH
$4,860
Bridgeport, CT
$5,400
Stamford, CT
$6,075
Wichita, KS
$3,690
Topeka, KS
$3,600
Springfield, IL
$3,825
Rockford, IL
$3,825
Erie, PA
$3,690
Scranton, PA
$3,825
Flint, MI
$3,510
Lansing, MI
$3,825
Syracuse, NY
$3,960
Albany, NY
$4,275
Eugene, OR
$4,725
Salem, OR
$4,590
Fort Collins, CO
$4,950
Pueblo, CO
$3,825
Aurora, CO
$4,860
Santa Barbara, CA
$6,300
Santa Rosa, CA
$5,760
Pasadena, CA
$6,210
Visalia, CA
$4,500
Pomona, CA
$5,310
Myrtle Beach, SC
$3,960
Daytona Beach, FL
$4,140
Sarasota, FL
$4,725
Naples, FL
$5,310
Ocala, FL
$3,825
Athens, GA
$3,825
Macon, GA
$3,600
Lexington, SC
$3,825
Asheville, NC
$4,590
Flagstaff, AZ
$4,860
Rochester, NY
$4,140
New Haven, CT
$4,860
Manchester, NH
$4,725
Augusta, GA
$3,690
Fort Myers, FL
$4,410
Wilmington, NC
$4,275
Arlington, VA
$5,850
Green Bay, WI
$3,825
South Bend, IN
$3,690
Bend, OR
$5,040
Bellingham, WA
$4,950
Midland, TX
$4,275
Waco, TX
$3,690
Newark, NJ
$5,400
Related Cost Guides
💬 What Did You Pay?
Real costs reported by homeowners for Cataract Surgery
$4,472
Avg Reported
$3,130
Lowest Reported
$6,484
Highest Reported
Recent Reports
$4,107
Dallas, TX · Jan 2024
★★★☆☆
$4,876
Chicago, IL · Feb 2024
★★★☆☆
$4,463
Phoenix, AZ · Mar 2024
★★★★☆
$4,224
Denver, CO · Apr 2024
★★★★★
$4,082
Atlanta, GA · May 2024
★★★★☆
$5,421
Seattle, WA · Jun 2024
★★★☆☆
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