How Much Does Botox Cost?

Botox costs $553 on average, but it's possible to pay as much as $2,000, according to 5,183 patient reviews on RealSelf.

Prices on the higher end typically cover multiple areas, larger muscle groups, and/or a combination of Botox and a complementary treatment, like injectable dermal fillers.

The average cost of Botox varies by U.S. state and major metro. For example, Botox in New York City costs $798, on average, compared to $281 in more affordable Salt Lake City, Utah.

The average price of Dysport and Xeomin treatments is about $390, according to patient reviews—so you may find that these Botox competitors are cheaper, with comparable results and longevity.

Read on to find out why Botox prices can vary so much, when insurance covers this FDA-approved neurotoxin, and how much your provider’s location impacts the price you'll pay.

Related: Everything You Need to Know About Botox

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How much does Botox cost per unit?

In the U.S., one unit of Botox costs $10 to $15 in most practices, but some providers charge as much as $25 per Botox unit. 

Botox comes in either 50- or 100-unit vials. While some providers now charge by treatment area, most charge by unit. 

If your provider charges by the unit, the cost per unit, multiplied by the number of units you need, will equal your total Botox price.

The price per area or unit will depend on:

1.  Your injector’s credentials, level of experience, and reputation

Botox injectors differ in education and skill level, which can translate directly to price.

Board-certified dermatologists, facial plastic surgeons, or plastic surgeons with a full patient roster will be able to charge more per unit of Botox than a general physician, dentist, registered nurse, or physician assistant.

However, some nurse injectors or physician assistants who specialize in injectable treatments develop exceptional skill (and significant social media followings). If their services are in high demand, they can charge accordingly.

It’s tempting to just book at the practice with the lowest price, but paying a bit more to be treated by an experienced injector helps ensure good results and minimizes your risk of side effects, like bruising, asymmetrical results, or an overdone look. 

There's no way to immediately reverse botched Botox (you have to wait for the effects to wear off over 3 to 4 months), so find someone you trust to do it right. Read your injector’s patient reviews and pay close attention to their before and after photos.

2. Their practice location

Botox costs vary by state, metro area, and even neighborhood. Practices or med spas in the heart of major cities, with higher rents and more overhead, have to charge more per unit.

If you're more interested in savings than finding the closest qualified provider, it can be worth your time to get price quotes from more than one qualified injector, in different areas of town.

If you're more interested in savings than finding the closest qualified provider, it can be worth your time to get cost quotes from more than one qualified injector, in different areas of town.

How many units of Botox do you need?

The number of Botox units you need will depend on:

  • the size of your treatment area
  • the strength of your muscles
  • your desired results

Botox works thanks to botulinum toxin type A, which temporarily blocks signals from the nerves to muscles. This relaxes their movement so they can’t crease the skin.

Thicker, stronger facial muscles that create deeper wrinkles require more units to get the full effects of Botox, while smaller, weaker muscles that cause chin wrinkles or lip lines may only need a few units each. For example, a Botox lip flip often requires just 4 units (2 per side).

You can also request a weaker dose to allow some range of movement, though the effects may not last as long as a full dose.

An experienced provider can determine how much you’ll need for each treatment area, based on your goals. These are the official dosage guidelines, according to Botox manufacturer Allergan, though many patients wind up needing only a fraction of the company-prescribed dosage:

  • Glabellar lines, the frown lines or “elevens” between the eyebrows: 20 units (spread across 5 injection sites), with an estimated total cost of $200 to $300
  • Forehead lines, the horizontal furrows across the brow: 20 units (across 5 injection sites), with an estimated total cost of $200 to $300
  • Lateral canthal lines, aka crow’s feet: 24 units (across 3 injection sites on each side), with an estimated total cost of $240 to $360

You’ll get the most accurate cost quote during a consultation, where your injector can assess your muscle strength and recommend a personalized treatment plan.

RealSelf Tip: Botox results are temporary. You don’t have to keep getting Botox once you start, but if you plan to keep up your results over time (and prevent new fine lines and wrinkles), you’ll need to budget for maintenance treatments every three to six months.

How can you save on Botox?

It’s possible to find cheap Botox for as little as $8 per unit by taking advantage of seasonal deals or specials for first-time patients. Again, just make sure you know you’ll be able to trust the skill of your injector—especially if you find a deal that seems too good to be true.

Allergan Aesthetics, the makers of Botox, also offers the Allē rewards program, which allows you to earn points toward discounts on future treatments—including Juvéderm dermal fillers, the fat-melting injectable Kybella, and CoolSculpting.

RealSelf Tip: Some unethical med spas inject patients with knock-off products of questionable origin and quality. If you decide to take advantage of a rock-bottom deal, watch your injector take your Botox out of the packaging and look for these signs that it’s the real thing: 

  • A holographic film that says Allergan within rainbow-colored horizontal lines
  • An intact seal with a translucent silver Allergan logo (on both ends of the carton) 

If you notice that the seal has a black circle with a diagonal line through it, this is your cue to leave.

Will insurance pay for Botox treatments?

Insurance won’t pay for Botox Cosmetic treatments, but Botox injections are covered by insurance if they’re treating a documented medical condition, including:

  • chronic migraines
  • hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating)
  • TMJ
  • vaginismus
  • strabismus
  • blepharospasm

People with medical conditions may also qualify for the Botox Savings Program, which covers out-of-pocket costs for eligible patients.

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Can you finance Botox treatments?

Yes, most practices offer payment plans or accept financing options.

The CareCredit credit card is widely accepted by providers across the U.S., for both plastic surgery and nonsurgical procedures.

Botox costs in U.S. states

Browse average Botox costs by state, according to the 1,343 most recent RealSelf reviews as of February 2023. (Note: In the map image, blank states don't have enough recent data to display.)

State

Average Cost

Arizona

$422

Arkansas

$447

California

$499

Colorado

$399

Connecticut

$645

Florida

$516

Georgia

$510

Hawaii

$1,034

Illinois

$481

Indiana

$445

Kansas

$453

Kentucky

$338

Louisiana

$428

Maryland

$463

Massachusetts

$531

Michigan

$410

Minnesota

$442

Missouri

$492

Nevada

$519

New Jersey

$456

New York

$706

North Carolina

$494

Ohio

$408

Oklahoma

$349

Oregon

$340

Pennsylvania

$446

Rhode Island

$450

South Carolina

$280

Tennessee

$485

Texas

$409

Utah

$310

Virginia

$411

Washington State

$557

Washington, D.C.

$956

West Virginia

$354

Wisconsin

$335

Botox costs by major U.S. metros

Metro Area

Average Cost

Atlanta, GA

$577

Austin, TX

$530

Baltimore, MD

$448

Boston, MA

$659

Charlotte, NC

$453

Chicago, IL

$370

Cleveland, OH

$617

Dallas-Fort Worth, TX

$367

Denver, CO

$434

Detroit, MI

$551

Hartford, CT

$561

Kansas City, MO

$523

Las Vegas, NV

$515

Los Angeles, CA

$597

Miami, FL

$675

New Orleans, LA

$536

New York City

$772

North New Jersey

$493

Orange County, CA

$667

Orlando, FL

$373

Philadelphia & South New Jersey

$397

Phoenix, AZ

$498

Pittsburgh, PA

$340

Raleigh-Durham, NC

$567

San Antonio, TX

$384

San Diego, CA

$360

San Francisco, CA

$615

Seattle-Tacoma, WA

$527

St Louis, MO

$475

Tampa, FL

$583

Washington, DC

$563

West Palm Beach, FL

$508

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