I started with some ok shoes - Karrimor - for £40 - they fit fine and are comfortable enough. But I have a damaged ankle which was getting sore. On advice from a running forum I tried Hoka one one - like running on space hoppers.
Top end gear, bought from a shop, £85 on discount (list price 105). Could have got them online for £60, but I really needed to try multiple pairs on.
Compared to bike gear, it is cheap. For the amount of miles/km I do, I expect them to last 2 years, so that's a bargain.
If I didn't have the damaged ankle, I'd have been happy with the £40 shoes.