It actually
sounds surprisingly good in comparison to rates for a 709
system,
from the 1961 BRL report:
Monthly Rental, average system: $55,200
(from:
http://ed-thelen.org/comp-hist/BRL61-ibm0709.html)
It's not clear exactly what is included in these so there may be some
apples
and oranges comparision there, but it gives you an idea of what big
organisations were willing to pay for some data processing in the period.
No wonder IBM thought a $6000 PC was a bargain.