Arfs make it seem like things have gone up. You can still get kits for around the same price. Engines get a little more expensive, but hey that helps the R&D guys make em more powerfull, and they last at least 18 years. (STILL HAVE MY FIRST .40 and it still runs, only changed the bushings and seals)
I CG skytiger kit cost $54.oo about 1986 or 87 I think it was. A Tiger II costs $99.99. A candy bar cost $.35 then and $.65 now. Now the candy bar hasn't gotten any better. The Tiger II has, and they both suffer from the same cost of living crapola that makes wages from 50 years ago look like kids allowances of today.
I bought a top of the line 6 channel radio 4 years ago, now you can get 6 channel computer radios for the same price, and 3 times as many features.
Does the hobby get more expensive??? No Life does, the hobby is just part of it.