Well I mean, XP12 Professional (which is designed for FAA certification) can be purchased by anyone for $1,000.
But you’re right, it depends on what you plan to use the flight sim for. If you’re getting the standard retail version of MSFS or X-Plane, both at the end of the day are video games. I’m just highlighted that with X-Plane, there is an exception with the FAA-version.
But yes, any “simulator” that isn’t acceptable in professional use is just a video game.