Yes—cost per print can vary a lot between home photo printers.

The main ongoing costs are ink and paper. When comparing printers, look at:

• ink price
• how much ink each cartridge/tank holds
• how many cartridges the printer uses
• whether each color has its own tank
• paper cost for the type of paper you want to use

In general, printers with separate ink tanks for each color are often cheaper to run than combined color cartridges, because you replace only the color that runs out. Larger cartridges also tend to lower the cost per ml of ink.

Another factor is whether compatible, refillable, or continuous-ink options are available. These can reduce running costs significantly, though quality can vary by setup.

Also remember that cost per photo is not fixed: it depends on the image itself, since some photos use much more ink than others. Different printers may also consume different amounts of ink even if cartridge prices look similar.

So yes, there are big differences—but to estimate real cost, compare both ink system design and paper costs, not just the printer’s purchase price.