Price really isn't the issue, quality is. Sometimes some really poor quality fabrics can be priced very high. Your best way to ( learn) to choose quality fabrics is to visit fabric shops and Touch, touch , touch! Feel the fabrics, look at the fabrics. Visit quilt shops, Joanne's, Walmart, where ever you can find that carries fabric. Loosely woven, rough texture is a lesser quality than a tighter woven, smooth fabric. Can you see your hand through it when placed under the fabric? Too thin. With time and experience you will be able to decide and shop for good deals. Location is relative too- what costs $8.95 in one area may be $5 in another and $12.95 somewhere else.
Most quilt shops try to carry good quality fabrics. You can join the free monthly on line ( fabshophop) and find up to 100 different quilt shops across the country, a vast selection of styles, fabrics and prices. A couple of my favorite on line places to purchase fabric are : fabric.com; Connecting Threads; Backside Fabrics; and Batiks Plus.