*smiles* Bill is right, you can spend as much as you want.
Another consideration is acoustic vs. electric and you can hear plenty of pros and cons both ways.
Guitar Center also a few good reasonably priced starter packs that will set you up with your guitar, amp, gig bag, tuner, etc for $200-$300.
I started with a Fender starter pack and still play it almost daily and I have also added an epiphone SG-310 to my collection.
It seems once you get started, for some reason, one guitar is never enough.
Mike