How much more expensive is the ER compared to Urgent Care?

We all know that for significant symptoms such as chest pain or difficulty breathing, a patient should go to the Emergency Department.  But ER visits are expensive, averaging $1200 per visit.  In the United States, $47 billion total is spent for Emergency Department visits per year!

But for minor complaints, how does a visit to the Urgent Care compare for costs?

The average cost for a visit to the ER for bronchitis is $595.  At an Urgent Care it would be $127.

If a patient goes to the ER for an earache, the average cost would be $400.  At an Urgent Care it would be $110.

For a urinary tract infection,  the average cost at an ER would be $665.  At an Urgent Care it would be $112.