You should factor the cost of ink and inkjet paper into the cost.
Lasers deliver sharper text at a given resolution than inkjets of the same resolution.
A 300dpi laser will serve you well if your printing needs don't extend beyond basic correspondence. Aim for 600dpi for complex output using graphics or small fonts. Look at a 1,200dpi laser for the sharpest possible laser image quality. Also, examine the few solid-ink printers if you're in the market for a colour laser. Confirm that any printer with upgradable memory offers the resolution that you expect it to with the amount of memory included.