Doctors see many patients in one day and have to spread themselves out. During the labor and delivery of your baby - a doctor may come in to check on you once during labor and will show up in time to catch the baby. The cost of having a doctor is higher than that of a midwife. The advantages of a midwife are personal attention and the allowance of you to labor and delivery with more freedom - from medical procedures. A midwife will undoubtedly be able to be with you during most of your labor and will promote and support an all natural childbirth.
Most midwives charge less than that of doctors.
Both are unable to do what doctors can - which is their number one disadvantage. Of course, if no medical intervention is needed, this is okay. Given the two choices - which you choose ultimately depends upon your preferences and the risk factor of your pregnancy. Both doctors and midwives offer excellent care and often they work together to give the mom and baby the best in a positive pregnancy outcome. The only way I would see having a midwife in my area would be to have a home birth - in order to cut the cost of the hospital.