Birds are more expensive than other pets (dogs/cats). Not cockatiels, but birds in general. Macaws are usually priced at $3000-$4000. Everyone sells their tiels here for $100 + and they all make good business. The ones that sell them cheap don't! They have their birds for months without selling. I don't know the price of cockatiels in your area, but they are $100 + here, and $70 if you're lucky and get them on sale.
Here birds are not more exspensive then other pets. I live in B.C. Canada if that helps. Some pet stores over charge I think. For instance today I went to total pet and they has 3 grey cockatiels and they were all like $160.00 . And I could find a cockatiel for like less then half that price.

Macaws are aroung 300$ here as well as Cockatoos..

The price range in pet stores here is 100+ as well. I would and never have bought a teil and I dont plan on paying more for the bird then I did for the cage and other stuff.

I have a HUGE cage with a stand that my mom found for sale for $50.00 and the man bought it for like $200.00 ..We got a major deal on it. I will take the bird for a vet check and crap. But I dont think the breeder will let me take the bird without paying ..