Good air rifles cost more than cheap .22's. Just like expensive .22's cost more than cheap centerfire rifles. You always pay more for quality.

Consider this though....you can buy 500 high quality .22 caliber pellets for $10. That's half of what it costs for 500 rounds of .22lr. They also take up less space (being smaller) and are safer to store as there is no powder or priming compound.

Like anything, there are advantages and disadvantages.