Moose tags of any kind in the lower 48 are tough to draw, even cow tags...let alone for non-residents. Idaho is a non point option but you'll be buying a $100+ license just to apply, so that doesn't really fit in well with the saving $ theme. All other western states with moose have a point system I believe, and (maybe) the New England states too. Wyoming has some random draw moose tags but they're super tough to draw.
Have you considered a guided hunt in eastern Canada? I don't know if they even offer cow hunts over there but if so they'll be cheaper. You're likely not going to be moose hunting in the lower 48 for quite a while, even if you start building points now and apply in any non-point states.
