I have both EQ7 and Quilt Pro. A ***lot*** depends on how fast you can learn one of these programs. I was a computer systems designer and programmer in a past life, and EQ7 is a program that is definitely NOT intuitive or easy for me to learn. It is very frustrating to spend that much money on software and find it difficult to master. Before saving up for 8 months to purchase EQ7, make sure you are willing to spend the hours that will probably be necessary to become proficient in the program.
I got Quilt Pro when they were having some kind of sale on it -- half price for the download version, which made it $50. This software can't do quite everything that EQ7 can do, but in my opinion it is much easier to learn.
Whichever software you decide on, watch for sales; there is no necessity to pay full price for either program. Also, be sure to do a "search" here on the quilting board for old threads about EQ7. I am not the only one who has found it to have a steep learning curve.
Also, a lot depends on how much you like to design your own quilts. I have so many great patterns on hand that I would like to make, I often don't feel the need to design my own.