I think Phoenix is up there,especially for locals. The advent of golfnow.com,email specials,the Troon Card and the Southwest PGA pass have dramatically lowered the costs for the better courses in the area,particulary now that some former private courses now allow limited public play.
The formerly private Superstition Mountain and even Quintero are quality courses that now allow limited public play. Southern Dunes is now fully public.
On the public side, Vista Verde, Raven at Verrado, GC of Estrella,TSN, Whirlwind, Wigwam Gold and Red, Longbow and some others are quality courses. WeKoPa, Grayhawk and Troon North offer much lower rates off season and/or for locals.
Of course, Papago and Aguila among the munis are other quality courses.
I recently played Red Lawrence's Estrella Mountain for $27 via golfnow. It's an interesting architecual study and a little rough around the edges but worth a play.