Compare the cost of film photography versus digital.
Film costs scale with every frame: stock and developing are a marginal cost per shutter press. Digital costs are almost entirely fixed — storage, backups, editing software and body wear — so its cost per frame collapses as you shoot more. Comparing both at the same frame count is the only fair way to see the premium film carries.
Cost per frame
Yearly film cost = rolls x cost per roll; cost per film frame = yearly film cost / (rolls x exposures per roll); digital cost per frame = yearly digital cost / same frame count
Because it is a marginal cost. Every frame consumes stock and developing, while digital frames are effectively free once the fixed yearly costs are paid.
Cloud storage and backup drives, editing subscriptions, and a realistic slice of body and card depreciation. Leaving those out makes digital look free, which it is not.
On total spend, yes — film scales down cleanly. Per frame it stays more expensive, which is why film shooters tend to shoot deliberately.