I am cheap when it comes to lumber prices. If I can not find domestic lumber for $2-4 bdft, then I won't use it.
But I have no issues finding inexpensively priced lumber. Just about burned through 400 bdft of cherry that cost me $2 bdft, bought ~5 years ago; while local retail price is $6-7.
If I can't find it reasonable here in AZ, then I haul a trailer load back from forests in OH/IN when I visit family. Walnut is about only domestic wood that breaks the piggy bank, but I can get it locally for $7, and $5 in Midwest.
Biggest issue for AZ is lack of hardwood forests. All the domestic species shipped from east coast are $2-3 bdft higher here than where it grows. We have a lot of juniper and western cedar at reasonable prices from north central mountain ranges in state. Alder is also cheap in AZ, compared to elsewhere. FAS alder is just over $2 bdft.
IMHO - If you want low cost lumber, you have to constantly hunt for it. Skip the retail stores unless you need 1 board for a project. Want the cheap stuff, need to look for commercial sawmills, small sawyers, and lumber yards that process lumber for cabinet shops (and generate cull/shorts). Prices are always lower when buying 2-300 bdft, then they are for 20-30; so comparing prices on a board or three is not fair comparison.
Have to always be prepared to buy in bulk, and store it, for when the deal pops into your life.
Don't forget when you buy cheap, and share deal with friends too.
If don't know already about lumber hunting, use these tools:
Woodmizer web site - find a local sawyer:
https://woodmizer.com/us/Services/Find-a-Local-Sawyer
You mentioned upstate NY? That covers a lot of area.
Here is google maps search for sawmills near Syracuse as example of how to find mills hiding near you, or places you are willing to drive to get wood:
https://www.google.com/maps/search/sawmill+near+syracuse
Also try looking for "hardwood lumber near XXXX" replacing XXXX with a local town.
FWIW - Another thing to watch for is any company that imports exotic lumber located in your area. There are several importers located in S.CA; which provides lower cost shipping to AZ, compared to east coast.
One of them has been flooding AZ with $4 bdft 4/4 African Mahogany last 6 months. Some of the rift sawn boards look like QS sapele, which makes a stunning project wood for the half the price of sapele. It is almost insulting, mahogany from Africa is cheaper than hard maple from east coast?
+1 on Craigslist deals. Set an email alert for 'lumber', and deals eventually show up. Especially during home moving season. Lumber is usually not accepted by commercial moving services, and gets dumped at last minute cheap.
Best luck.