Making baby puree, healthier - most probably yes; but is it really cheaper?

Some foods are going to be cheaper, and others are not. As for the time spent washing, preparing, etc., you'd be better off just giving your baby a slice of the pear and letting her have at it. Babies who are old enough for solids don't generally need purees, and if you're mostly feeding her bits of whatever the rest of the family is eating, the cost is pretty negligible.