I've just bought my first, and likely last, high-end snare drum - a Guru - but that was a special circumstance. For thirty years now I've been very happy with, and gotten along just fine with, several snare drums that don't quite reach that price point, including Black Magics, Sensitone Elites, and Black Panthers - and all of those used. I never felt that any of them were stifling my ability or creativity.
I keep saying on this forum that we are living in a golden age of excellent snare drums at lower price points. Ludwig's new Standard Maples and Heirloom series are a great addition to their line, plus the excellent Supralite. Pearl's got their Modern Utility line and the Sensitones have always been awesome. Mapex has MPX and Black Panther, Tama has the SLP line, and Gretsch has tons of options - all below $500, and in many cases below $250.
And let's not forget that perennial used market gem, the 5x14" Acrolite, available wherever school music programs have ever been.
You don't have to fret about not having a top-shelf snare drum any more than you need to worry about drinking Jim Beam instead of Bulleit. It gets the job done and is fun to play? That's priceless.