That... is really the case. The prices are insane, and if you are part of an army. Or as I like to call it a death stack: You earn great loot to sell and become rich fast.
I went from ~1,000 to ~50,000 while being in an army before it broke apart due to cohesion. Prices are all over the place and items costing a lot, also means they sell for a lot so you have tons coin. Which means prices arent that bad. But thats an accident.
Mind you I have everything set to realistic with death turned on. While this only really applies to damage not loot and prices, it's still odd and unsatisfying how easy it is to make money. Don't take this to mean I like everything costing a ton just the opposite.