I believe the price you are quoting is for buying an address. When you rent a VPS you are only renting an address.
How could a company make any money renting an IPv4 address for $1-2/month when it cost them $50 for the address.
How could a landlord make any money renting a house for $3000/month when it cost them $1000000 to buy the house.
At current interest rates they wouldn't if they had to take out a loan for the house. That's my point. It's not profitable even on a 5 year return window.