you could reduce the cost even more if you saw, polish, & install your own,,, its not life-threatening to admit costs're high,,, we don't have a ferrari or lamborghini in the garage but we live fairly well w/formica c-tops in a 35yr old home.
i make conc & granite c-tops but won't have them in our home,,, its all personal,,, the major investment of granite MAY cause your home to be more difficult to sell - not everyone likes the same stuff.