The price of Botox is one of those topics that seems simple until you start calling clinics. Some quote by the unit, others offer a price per area, and a few wrap it into packages with follow-up tweaks. The spread can be wide even within the same city, and the cheapest option is not always the best value. After years of helping patients set realistic budgets and choose the right provider, I’ve learned how to read between the lines of a price sheet, and which local factors move numbers up or down.
This guide walks through what you actually pay for when you book a Botox appointment, why prices differ by city, and what a typical session costs in major U.S. markets. It also covers how many units are usually needed for common areas, how long results last, and the quiet line items that can make a “deal” more expensive in the long run.
What you really pay for
A vial of onabotulinumtoxinA is a small part of the cost. Clinics pay a wholesale price per vial and must use it within a set timeframe once reconstituted. If a practice runs a high volume of Botox injections for face wrinkles, they waste less and can keep per-unit prices closer to wholesale. If they open a vial for one patient and cannot use the remainder, unit prices go up.
The rest of the fee covers the experience and infrastructure. A licensed Botox provider invests in training, ongoing education, sterile technique, documentation, and complication management protocols. An experienced Botox specialist or certified Botox injector understands dosing by muscle mass and skin thickness, not just by a chart. You also pay for the time spent on a proper Botox consultation, facial mapping, and a follow-up for any needed Botox touch up within two weeks.
Among the drivers of cost:
- Provider expertise and credentials. Board-certified dermatologists and facial plastic surgeons tend to charge more than non-physician injectors, but a seasoned nurse practitioner or physician assistant with cosmetic training can be excellent. The key is consistent volume and skill with both cosmetic Botox injections and, if relevant, medical Botox indications. Local overhead. Urban practices with high rent and staffing costs often charge more. That’s why downtown San Francisco will not match a suburban Phoenix clinic. Treatment complexity. Baby Botox for a light, natural looking Botox finish usually uses fewer units, but finesse and time increase provider value. Advanced Botox for complex facial asymmetries takes more expertise. Units versus areas pricing. Per-unit pricing is transparent, but some people get better value with per-area pricing if they need higher dosing for strong muscles. Brand and mix. Most people mean Botox Cosmetic when they say “Botox,” but other neuromodulators exist. The units are not interchangeable across brands, and per-unit costs vary. If you want Botox Cosmetic specifically, confirm during booking.
Typical dosing and how that translates to cost
Even before discussing cities, it helps to know typical dosing ranges. Real-world dosing depends on muscle strength, gender, metabolism, and your goals, but these ranges are common for Botox injections for face:
- Forehead lines: 8 to 16 units, often paired with glabellar treatment to avoid brow heaviness. Frown lines (glabellar): 15 to 25 units. Crow’s feet: 6 to 12 units per side, so 12 to 24 total. Bunny lines (nose): 4 to 8 units. Lip flip: 4 to 8 units. DAO (downturned corners of the mouth): 4 to 8 units total. Chin dimpling (mentalis): 6 to 10 units. Masseter slimming or bruxism: 20 to 50 units per side, significantly more expensive because of volume.
For a classic upper-face Botox wrinkle treatment - forehead, frown, and crow’s feet - many adults land between 38 and 60 units. If a clinic charges 12 to 20 dollars per unit, that’s roughly 456 to 1,200 dollars for a full upper-face Botox session. Preventative Botox for early fine lines may use 10 to 30 units total, landing in the 120 to 600 dollar range depending on city and injector.
How often you’ll need it
Botox longevity averages three to four months for dynamic lines. A subset of people get closer to two and a half months, and some stretch to five. Factors include metabolism, exercise intensity, dose, and how expressive you are. Baby Botox and subtle Botox approaches, which aim for soft movement and light smoothing, often wear off a bit faster than higher-dose regimens. If you plan Botox maintenance year round, a realistic schedule is three to four sessions per year with at least one Botox follow up to dial in dose during the first year.
The anatomy of price differences by city
I’ve priced out Botox services in dozens of markets, and the pattern holds: high-rent coastal metros trend higher, but not always by much. A boutique botox clinic in Oklahoma City with a national trainer at the helm can cost more than a high-volume medspa in Los Angeles that keeps tight margins. Competition influences cost, too. Cities with many skilled injectors often land closer to the middle because clinics work to keep loyal patients with fair Botox pricing rather than one-off specials.
What follows are realistic per-unit ranges and typical totals by market, based on current patterns in 2025. These are not quotes from any single clinic. They reflect what patients routinely encounter for cosmetic Botox injections by licensed injectors. If a practice quotes far outside these ranges, ask why - sometimes it’s justified, sometimes it’s a red flag.
New York City
Per-unit pricing in Manhattan generally falls between 15 and 28 dollars, with outer boroughs ranging 12 to 22. Top facial plastic surgeons and elite dermatology boutiques often charge by the area, for example 325 to 475 dollars for the glabella, because it anchors to a trusted outcome rather than a unit count. Patients focused on natural looking Botox with nuanced brow shaping often choose these practices for consistency.
A full upper-face session usually lands between 650 and 1,350 dollars depending on dosing and venue. First-time Botox patients often start with fewer units and return two weeks later for a conservative touch up, which premium clinics usually include.
Los Angeles
LA spans chic Beverly Hills practices to efficient, high-volume studios in the Valley. Per-unit prices range 12 to 24 dollars, with celebrity injectors charging more. The competition here pushes clinics to be transparent with before and after photos and to articulate a clear Botox cosmetic treatment plan at consultation.
Typical upper-face totals sit between 500 and 1,100 dollars. Patients seeking subtle Botox for on-camera work often request slightly lighter dosing to keep conscious movement, trading a bit of longevity for a softer look under light.
San Francisco Bay Area
Expect 14 to 26 dollars per unit in San Francisco proper. Oakland and the Peninsula skew similar, with a handful of tech-adjacent clinics offering membership packaging to stabilize cost. Physicians here often highlight risk discussions, including asymmetric brow lift risk when treating forehead lines without pairing the glabella.
Upper-face totals commonly run 600 to 1,200 dollars. Some clinics publish Botox packages that include a Botox appointment every three to four months, a small discount per unit, and one Botox consultation check-in each cycle to adjust dose.
Chicago
Chicago offers a broad middle. Per-unit prices commonly range 12 to 20 dollars, with the Loop and Gold Coast nudging higher. A strong cohort of nurse injectors keep outcomes consistent, and you’ll see many clinics with clear policies on Botox aftercare and realistic timelines for Botox results.
Upper-face totals average 500 to 1,000 dollars. Many patients schedule on Friday, return to normal activity the same weekend, and see smoothing by midweek the following week.
Miami
Miami pricing splits between luxury spa settings and efficient medical practices. Per-unit rates range 11 to 22 dollars. Clinics here pay careful attention to brow shape to preserve a lifted, open eye look favored in local aesthetic trends. Beware of aggressive “Botox specials” that sound too good to be true. Ask about dilution, injector credentials, and whether you will see the same Botox practitioner for future visits.
Upper-face totals commonly sit between 450 and 950 dollars. Masseter slimming is particularly popular and can run 800 to 1,600 dollars depending on units required.
Dallas and Houston
Texas markets blend competitive pricing with strong medical oversight. Per-unit rates are often 11 to 18 dollars in Dallas and 10 to 18 in Houston. Board-certified physicians, PAs, and NPs with high cosmetic volume are abundant, and many offer packages for long-term Botox maintenance.
Upper-face totals tend to come in at 450 to 900 dollars. Preventative Botox for younger professionals is common, with 10 to 20 unit touch ups between larger seasonal sessions.
Atlanta
Atlanta’s per-unit range typically falls between 11 and 19 dollars, with Buckhead on the higher end. Expect straightforward dosing for frown lines and crow’s feet, with extra attention to forehead balance to avoid eyebrow heaviness in patients with low-set brows.
Upper-face totals usually run 450 to 900 dollars. Many clinics include a brief follow-up at 10 to 14 days to evaluate Botox effectiveness and symmetry.
Washington, DC
The DC area has an educated consumer base and a strong physician-led ecosystem. Per-unit rates in DC and close-in suburbs range 13 to 22 dollars. Government and corporate professionals often request subtle Botox with limited shine or frozen appearance, so baby Botox techniques are common.
Upper-face totals usually land between 550 and 1,050 dollars. Policies around Botox safety and contraindications are typically well documented, and you may be asked detailed medical questions at intake.
Boston
Boston’s mix of academic dermatology and private aesthetics yields per-unit pricing of 14 to 24 dollars in the city, slightly less in surrounding towns. You’ll find clinics that present evidence-based ranges for Botox wrinkle reduction and emphasize conservative first visits.
Upper-face totals are commonly 600 to 1,150 dollars. Expect a cautious approach to forehead doses to avoid brow descent in heavier foreheads, especially in mature patients with aging skin.
Seattle
Per-unit rates in Seattle run 12 to 22 dollars, with a growing number of boutique clinics in neighborhood settings. There’s a strong preference for natural looking Botox that doesn’t mute expressiveness. Injectors often counsel patients on realistic Botox longevity and how adjustments in unit count can influence both duration and movement.
Upper-face totals typically run 500 to 1,000 dollars. Seasonal demand spikes in spring and late fall, so plan your Botox appointment early if timing matters for events.
Denver
At altitude, nothing unusual happens to Botox, but the market dynamics are different. Per-unit prices often sit between 11 and 19 dollars. Fitness-forward patients sometimes notice slightly shorter duration with very high-intensity training. Injectors respond by balancing dose with desired movement.
Upper-face totals come in around 450 to 900 dollars. Outdoor enthusiasts often prefer light botox treatment to maintain expression, with periodic touch ups before travel or photos.
Phoenix and Scottsdale
This market is competitive, and per-unit pricing can be friendlier, often 10 to 18 dollars. Scottsdale boutiques that feature expert botox injections and concierge service run higher, while high-volume clinics court price-sensitive patients with memberships.
Upper-face totals generally range from 425 to 875 dollars. Sun exposure can deepen etched lines, so some patients alternate between Botox smoothing treatment and periodic laser or microneedling for texture.
Philadelphia
Philadelphia typically sees 12 to 20 dollars per-unit pricing. Many clinics balance clear value with long-term relationships, and physicians are pragmatic about matching dose to muscle strength rather than a one-size-fits-all menu.
Upper-face totals often sit between 500 and 950 dollars. A common plan is three sessions per year, with one larger dose in spring and two lighter maintenance visits.
Smaller cities and suburbs
In mid-sized cities or well-served suburbs, per-unit pricing often ranges from 10 to 17 dollars. If you see 8 dollars per unit or less advertised, be cautious and ask about the product, dilution, who injects, and follow-up policy. If pricing climbs above 22 dollars per unit without clear justification, ask what differentiates the Botox provider. Sometimes it is a board-certified facial plastic surgeon, a boutique setting with extended visits, or added services like ultrasound-guided injections for medical botox.
Upper-face totals in these markets commonly range from 400 to 850 dollars.
When a higher price is worth it
I have seen patients save 150 dollars on the first session, only to spend more fixing heavy brows or asymmetry. Precision matters. The best botox treatment is one that respects your anatomy. A certified botox injector who maps your muscles, documents your dose by area, and sees you at two weeks is worth the premium. You pay for fewer surprises, fewer office visits to correct issues, and results that hold up as you age.
That does not mean you must book at the most expensive clinic. Ask for their philosophy on dosing, see Botox before and after photos of people with similar features, and ask how they handle a touch up if needed. If the answers are structured and confident, you are in good hands.
How to read a quote and avoid surprise costs
Most clinics quote either per-unit or per-area. If you are quoted per-area, ask for the typical units Click for info used for your features. If you are quoted per-unit, ask for a ballpark range of units based on your muscle strength. Both approaches can be fair, but clarity matters.
One more tip: ask whether a two-week follow up is included. A small tweak of 2 to 4 units to balance a brow or soften a stubborn line is often part of ideal care. If the follow up is always a separate charge at full price, factor that into your comparison.
What a healthy first visit looks like
A good first-time botox appointment includes a focused medical history, photography, and a discussion of risks and expected timelines. You should understand how botox works: it blocks the nerve signal to the targeted muscles, reducing movement that creases skin. You should also hear about potential side effects. The most common are mild and temporary - pinpoint bruising, a small headache, slight eyelid heaviness, or asymmetric brow position. Rare but important risks include eyelid ptosis if product diffuses to the levator muscle. A cautious injector minimizes this by proper dilution, placement, and post-care instructions.
Botox recovery time is usually minimal. Avoid heavy workouts for 24 hours, keep your head upright for 3 to 4 hours, and skip facials or massage over treated areas for a day or two. Makeup can go on after a few hours if there is no pinpoint bleeding.
Making a budget for a year
You can price Botox services like any recurring maintenance. If you do upper-face at 600 to 900 dollars per session, three sessions a year totals 1,800 to 2,700 dollars. Add more if you treat masseters or lower face. If you choose preventative botox with lower dosing, your annual spend could fall to 900 to 1,500 dollars in many markets. If you plan for events, treat 3 to 4 weeks before a big date so you pass the peak shine phase and let things settle into a natural finish.
Clinics often offer Botox payment options. Common structures include monthly memberships with banked units, prepaid Botox packages at a small discount, and seasonal Botox specials. Memberships are helpful if you are consistent. If you are still discovering your ideal dose or cadence, pay per session until you stabilize.
Red flags to watch for
You don’t need to be a clinician to spot trouble. The biggest warning signs are a lack of dose documentation, unwillingness to discuss side effects, and no formal policy for Botox follow up. If a clinic quotes one flat price regardless of your muscle strength or goals, it might indicate cookie-cutter dosing. For best results, personalized planning matters. A licensed botox provider should be comfortable explaining what they are doing and why.
Another red flag is aggressive upselling of unrelated services during your botox session. It is fine to discuss complementary treatments like microneedling or light resurfacing, especially for static etched lines that Botox alone cannot erase. It’s not fine if you feel rushed or pressured.
A note on men’s dosing
Men often require more units due to higher muscle mass, especially in the glabella and forehead. That does not mean a heavy-handed look. It just means pricing will rise with increased units. A typical men’s upper-face plan might start around 50 to 70 units. That could push a 12-dollar-per-unit clinic to 600 to 840 dollars for the session, and a premium market to 900 to 1,400 dollars.
Medical Botox versus cosmetic Botox
Medical botox for migraines, hyperhidrosis, or spasticity is billed differently and often goes through insurance with strict criteria. Cosmetic botox injections are almost always out-of-pocket. If a clinic offers insurance billing for cosmetic areas, be wary. Keep the two categories separate in your expectations and budget.
Why results vary even at the same price
Two people can pay the same price and see different longevity or smoothness because of individual anatomy and movement patterns. Some raise brows frequently, making forehead lines stubborn. Others squint deeply, which etches crow’s feet more. Your injector can dial dosing to your habits, but you might still need more frequent visits for the one area that works hard all day. Consistency from session to session helps you and your provider fine-tune a plan that balances Botox effectiveness and natural movement.
How to compare clinics fairly
Use this quick comparison set to evaluate value without getting lost in marketing language.
- Credentials and volume. Who injects you, how often do they perform cosmetic botox injections, and do they have specific experience with your areas of concern? Pricing transparency. Per-unit or per-area is fine. Do they provide expected unit ranges, include two-week follow up, and document doses? Before and afters you recognize. Ideally, see cases with similar age, skin type, and brow position or eye shape. Communication and aftercare. Do you feel comfortable reaching out with a small concern, and do they provide written botox aftercare instructions? Consistency. Will you see the same injector for future Botox sessions to build a predictable plan?
City-by-city recap in plain numbers
While I’ve woven ranges throughout, here is a compact recap of typical per-unit prices and upper-face totals you can expect:
- New York City: 15 to 28 per unit, 650 to 1,350 per session. Los Angeles: 12 to 24 per unit, 500 to 1,100 per session. San Francisco Bay Area: 14 to 26 per unit, 600 to 1,200 per session. Chicago: 12 to 20 per unit, 500 to 1,000 per session. Miami: 11 to 22 per unit, 450 to 950 per session. Dallas/Houston: 10 to 18 per unit, 450 to 900 per session. Atlanta: 11 to 19 per unit, 450 to 900 per session. Washington, DC: 13 to 22 per unit, 550 to 1,050 per session. Boston: 14 to 24 per unit, 600 to 1,150 per session. Seattle: 12 to 22 per unit, 500 to 1,000 per session. Denver: 11 to 19 per unit, 450 to 900 per session. Phoenix/Scottsdale: 10 to 18 per unit, 425 to 875 per session. Mid-sized cities/suburbs: 10 to 17 per unit, 400 to 850 per session.
These figures assume standard upper-face dosing, not masseter or lower-face add-ons.
Final practical notes
If you are new to botox for wrinkles, book a consultation first. Bring a photo of yourself at rest and while smiling or frowning, and be honest about your comfort with visible movement. If you want a camera-ready finish with minimal animation, your dose will drift higher. If you want a barely-there glow for preventative aging, you may be a perfect candidate for subtle baby botox with 10 to 20 units.
Ask about the product name, dilution, and how many units the injector typically uses for your features. Confirm whether they track lot numbers for safety. Ask what day two and day seven should feel like, and when to contact the office. These questions are not nitpicking. They signal to a professional botox provider that you value long-term quality, which is exactly what good practices want in a patient.
Botox, used well, is a straightforward Botox facial treatment with a strong safety profile in healthy candidates. It softens the lines you make when you talk, laugh, or concentrate. Over time, with consistent dosing and good sun habits, it can help keep etched lines from deepening. The cost varies by city, but with clarity and a skilled injector, you can make a plan that fits both your face and your budget.