You have asked the impossible question. The shortage of base cotton goods in the past two or three years has changed how we view, value and buy fabric.
It was once believed that only LQS fabric was the best. However, one could and still do find good fabric at the chain stores and recently not so good, but high price, at the LQS.
So, I can't answer your question as I interpret it.
If you will search back through the posts about this subject you will find that the best answer is to learn to test the fabric and then buy what is affordable to you. The best test, without actualy buying, is to feel. If stiff and thin then it is not so good at any price.
The board is also full of good suggestions for mail order.
I have a loal store that is named "The $1.99 Fabric Store" It has both good quality and lesser quality.
If you will indicate where you are located, I am sure there will be those who can give you suggestions of good places to buy. One mail order company that has good sales is Connecting Threads.
If you should live in or near or visit Maine, there is a store there (several in the state) named Marden's. They buy prior seasons fabric from the manufacturer and price at about 3.99-5.99 per yd.
So you understand my difficulty in answering your question. Its a cruel, cruel fabric world out there and it doesn't appear to have good news in sight. Did your LQS have a mark down space. My local LQS does and it is $5 per yd.
The Old Country Store in Pennsyvania has current fabric at about $8.50 per yd.
There are many reports that WallMart is bring fabric back to many of their stores and some good bargains are to be found of better quality fabric. I have always found Hobby Lobby to have good stuff. I am cautious at JoAnn's now. However, I have bought at JA's to get an assortment of color value which I needed at a good price.