I propose a new definition of costs.
Not in man [ or woman] hours worked or in absolute dollar terms.
No I think the new way should be related to nights in cheap motels
One of J&Hs best selling sleeping bags was called just that and way back J&H reckoned that 4 to 6 nites not staying in a cheap hotel and it was paid for. If it was brought back to the market it might now be called the "Couch Surfer"
With even the cheapest hotel room hitting the magic $100- a nite in many cases how many nites would it take to pay off your particular selection of gear?