PCs have always been more expensive. Doesn't mean they aren't better though :).
The best way to get a GPU at a decent price point (retail anyway) is to actually go into a physical store like Best Buy or whatever retailer you have locally that sells such things. That's how I got my GTX 1080. It's hit or miss but sometimes they are in stock.
Alternatively, buy a pre-built gaming PC. I like to build my own too but you can get reasonably priced pre-built systems with the GPU you want a lot more easily (and cheaply) than you can find those GPUs for on a regular basis.
will be doing another post for tomorrow. ''how to build a gaming pc in the mining boom'' will cover points like the ones you mentioned.