Fresh beans though are definitely great, and with homegrown ones you can cook the pods too.
Dried black beans, $1 - $2/pound.
Can 15oz black beans containing 1 1/3 cup drained beans, about $2.
2 cups dried beans yields 5-6 cups cooked drained beans.
1 pound dried beans = 2 cups dried beans.
Rinsed, un-presoaked black beans cooking time: 25 minutes, after maybe 5-6 minutes of bringing it to boil and reaching pressure level.
Cooking time for can of beans: 5 minutes.
Dry beans really do need a soak. When you bring a pot full of cold water legumes to a boil (assuming you haven't presoaked over night in cold water) turn them off the heat and let them sit for 1-2 hours. Even though they are off of direct heat, the cooking time is similar to if you had left them boiling that whole time.