I don't think less-expensive flooring will lower the value of your home, since so many people want the less-destructible these days. But I love real hardwood, and am very picky about floors, so here are my 2 current favorites:
1. For living areas where water damage is unlikely: hickory, either engineered hand-scraped (can get the wider planks) or solid narrower planks which I think can be nailed down (which we did) or floating. Try scratching either with a key, and you probably can't, if the planks are coated with about 6 layers of that coating they use nowadays. Doggie toenails don't scratch this wood, it's the hardest domestic hardwood and IMO one of the most beautiful. I went out with keys and nails and scratched about 100 samples in stores before settling on this for 2 properties, including our own home since we have a dog (solid wood) and a short-term vacation rental (engineered hand-scraped) that always has pets, kids, and heavy use, including a staircase.
2. For kitchens, baths and foyers or entryways: grouted vinyl tile that looks like real tile except it's softer and warmer to stand on, walk on, or to drop things on. Waterproof and ding-resistant so far, we used in our kitchen and I love it. It doesn't need grout but looks better with it IMO.