Testing
Radon testing cost: do-it-yourself kits and professional tests
Short answer
A do-it-yourself radon test kit costs about $10 to $50 at a store or online, by the figures state health departments publish, and many states give kits away or sell them for less. A test by a professional costs more: Virginia's health department puts it at $100 to $200, and Michigan puts a continuous monitor test at around $75 to $200.
Key takeaways
- State health departments put a store-bought do-it-yourself kit at about $10 to $50, and Montana and Michigan say many kits include the lab fee and postage.
- Some states give kits away or sell them below retail: New York's health department sells one for $12.25 with analysis and postage, and Virginia's offers a limited supply for only a $4 shipping fee.
- A professional test costs more: $100 to $200 in Virginia's figure, and around $75 to $200 for a continuous monitor test in Michigan's.
- Short-term and long-term passive devices are generally inexpensive. Active devices with anti-interference features may cost more, but may give a more reliable result.
At a glance
Radon test cost at a glance
Testing is the only way to know a home's radon level, and it is easy and inexpensive. The chart sets every published test price on one scale, from a store-bought charcoal kit to a professional test with a continuous monitor.
- Montanaunder $25 a kitShort-term kit, shipping and lab fee included.
- Virginiaabout $4 a kitState short-term kit, limited supply: a shipping fee only. Published 2025.
- Colorado$10 to $50 a kitDo-it-yourself kits at home improvement stores.
- Georgia$10 to $15 a kit$15 mailed, or $10 picked up at a participating County Extension office.
- Michigan$10 to $20 a kitActivated carbon (charcoal) short-term kit.
- Mississippi$10 to $15 a kitCharcoal canister at retail. Published 2025.
- Oregon$10 to $25 a kitShort-term test kit.
- Wisconsin$10 to $30 a kitTest kit online, at a hardware store or a regional Radon Information Center. Published 2026.
- New Yorkabout $12.25 a kitState Department of Health test kit, analysis and postage included. Published 2026.
- Californiaabout $14.95 a kitDiscounted short-term kit through the state's partner laboratory. Published 2023.
- Pennsylvania$15 to $25 a kitTest kit at a hardware or home improvement store (average).
- Texas$15 to $25 a kitTest kit at a hardware store.
- Pennsylvania$20 to $30 a kitHome test kit at a hardware or home improvement store.
- Washingtonabout $20 a kitDo-it-yourself test kit.
- Mississippiabout $30 a kitAlpha track detector (long-term test). Published 2025.
- Michigan$75 to $200 a testA test with a continuous radon monitor (CRM), by a trained operator.
- Virginia$100 to $200 a testA professional radon test, depending on the device. Published 2025.
- State agency or state university program
- Federal agency (EPA)
- A single figure (about, or an average)
Kits you buy
Do-it-yourself radon test kit prices
You can buy a radon test kit online or in many retail and hardware stores. These are the retail kit prices state agencies publish. A short-term charcoal kit is at the low end; Mississippi's health department puts charcoal canisters at about $10 to $15, and an alpha track detector, usually used for long-term tests, at $30 or so.
under $25 a kit
Montana
Short-term kit, shipping and lab fee included
$10 to $50 a kit
Colorado
Do-it-yourself kits at home improvement stores
$10 to $20 a kit
Michigan
Activated carbon (charcoal) short-term kit
$10 to $15 a kit
Mississippi
Charcoal canister at retail
Published 2025
$10 to $25 a kit
Oregon
Short-term test kit
$10 to $30 a kit
Wisconsin
Test kit online, at a hardware store or a regional Radon Information Center
Published 2026
$15 to $25 a kit
Pennsylvania
Test kit at a hardware or home improvement store (average)
$15 to $25 a kit
Texas
Test kit at a hardware store
$20 to $30 a kit
Pennsylvania
Home test kit at a hardware or home improvement store
about $20 a kit
Washington
Do-it-yourself test kit
about $30 a kit
Mississippi
Alpha track detector (long-term test)
Published 2025
State programs
Free and low-cost kits from your state
Your state may offer free or discounted test kits, and local or county health departments sometimes have free kits too. The National Radon Program Services at Kansas State University also sells test kits online and by phone at 1-800-SOS-RADON (1-800-767-7236).
- about $4 a kitVirginiaState short-term kit, limited supply: a shipping fee only. Published 2025.
- $10 to $15 a kitGeorgia$15 mailed, or $10 picked up at a participating County Extension office.
- about $12.25 a kitNew YorkState Department of Health test kit, analysis and postage included. Published 2026.
- about $14.95 a kitCaliforniaDiscounted short-term kit through the state's partner laboratory. Published 2023.
Hiring a tester
What a professional radon test costs
A professional test means a qualified tester places the device, collects it and reports the result. You can hire a qualified radon tester, very often a home inspector. Testers often use active devices, which measure and record radon continuously; these may cost more, but may give a more reliable result. Michigan's environment department says continuous radon monitors need yearly calibration and certification, are run by a trained operator, and are often used in real estate sales.
$75 to $200 a test
Michigan
A test with a continuous radon monitor (CRM), by a trained operator
$100 to $200 a test
Virginia
A professional radon test, depending on the device
Published 2025
Choosing
Do-it-yourself or professional: which do you need?
| Do-it-yourself kit | Professional test | |
|---|---|---|
| Who places it | You, following the kit's instructions | A qualified radon tester, very often a home inspector |
| Device | Usually a passive device you mail to a lab | Often a continuous monitor that records radon over time |
| Published cost | About $10 to $50 at retail; less or free from some states | $100 to $200 (Virginia); around $75 to $200 for a monitor test (Michigan) |
| Best for | Your own home, follow-up tests and routine retests | A home sale, where an independent, qualified tester is recommended |
Who places it
- Do-it-yourself kit
- You, following the kit's instructions
- Professional test
- A qualified radon tester, very often a home inspector
Device
- Do-it-yourself kit
- Usually a passive device you mail to a lab
- Professional test
- Often a continuous monitor that records radon over time
Published cost
- Do-it-yourself kit
- About $10 to $50 at retail; less or free from some states
- Professional test
- $100 to $200 (Virginia); around $75 to $200 for a monitor test (Michigan)
Best for
- Do-it-yourself kit
- Your own home, follow-up tests and routine retests
- Professional test
- A home sale, where an independent, qualified tester is recommended
For your own home, you can test yourself or hire a qualified radon test company. For a sale, the test should be done by an independent, qualified radon tester, and Illinois's radon program recommends professional testing in real estate transactions. The test chooser walks through the choice.
Lab fees and postage
What the price includes
A kit's shelf price may or may not include the laboratory analysis and return postage. Michigan's environment department says the price of charcoal devices often includes postage and lab fees, but not always, so check before you buy. Montana's environment department says many short-term kits cost under $25 including shipping and lab analysis, and New York's state kit at $12.25 includes the kit, the analysis and the postage to the laboratory.
Over time
How many tests you may need
A first short-term test
The first step is a short-term test, which stays in the home two to 90 days depending on the device.
A follow-up if it is 4 pCi/L or more
Follow up with either a long-term test or a second short-term test before deciding to fix.
A test after any fix
Run a two- to seven-day test within 30 days of installing a system, but no sooner than 24 hours after it starts.
A retest every two years
Retest at least every two years to be sure radon levels stay low.
Water
Testing well water for radon
$25
Vermont's health department's radon in water test kit from its laboratory (2026).
Testing a home's water supply takes different devices and procedures from testing the air, so an air kit cannot test your well. See how to test well water for radon and what treatment costs if the result is high.
FAQ
Radon testing cost questions
How much does a radon test kit cost?
State health departments put store-bought kits at about $10 to $50: Colorado $10 to $50, Wisconsin $10 to $30, Pennsylvania $20 to $30, Texas's radon program $15 to $25 and Washington about $20.
How much does a professional radon test cost?
Virginia's health department says a professional radon test usually costs $100 to $200, depending on the device. Michigan puts a continuous radon monitor test at around $75 to $200.
Can I get a radon test kit for free?
In many states. Your state may offer free or discounted kits; the kit finder shows what each state's program offers.
Does the kit price include the lab fee?
Often, not always. Michigan says charcoal devices often include postage and lab fees, but not always, so check before you buy.
Is a professional radon test worth it?
For a home sale, a test by an independent, qualified radon tester is recommended. For your own home, you can test yourself or hire a qualified radon test company.
How much does a long-term radon test cost?
Mississippi's health department puts alpha track detectors, usually used for long-term tests, at $30 or so.
How much does a radon test cost for a home inspection?
Virginia puts a professional radon test at $100 to $200, and Michigan a continuous monitor test, the kind often used in a sale, at around $75 to $200. Ask the inspector for a written price that names the device.
How much does it cost to test well water for radon?
Vermont's health department sells a radon in water test kit for $25 from its laboratory.