I went with a mono laser printer about 8 years ago and you couldn't pay me to go back to an inkjet. Laser printers have a higher initial cost but they are cheaper in the long run because they have a lower cost per printed page. In the 8 years I've owned this printer, I've only needed to replace the toner cartridge once. Of course, that depends on how many pages you print.
I just checked on-line and see an HP - LaserJet Pro M15w printer for $80. I've never used that particular one so can't comment on it but the price seems right for someone wanting to get into laser printing without spending a lot.
BTW, technically, thermal printers don't use ink or cartridges.