Don't think this is due to being costlier to operate. Basic self service hotels in high demand areas are priced obscenely high but at the same time plenty of full service properties in cities and typical business destinations are quite cheap.
Rental cars are not more expensive to operate but rates multiplied even in places where supply was adequate.
This is just a case of "let's see what we can get away with" in the environment of extra cash left unused due to pandemic restrictions.

Ime prices are far more reasonable overseas so I d just travel there until the crowds arrive...