Russian Visa - cost for Americans

I have been looking at getting a tourist visa for a weekend trip to Moscow in late April.  According to the Russian Embassy in London, they contract their administrative work to VFS now.  According to VFS, the visa fee is £79 and "Along with the visa fees, there is a service charge applicable per visa application:
Normal applications (5 working days service):
£38.40 (inclusive of VAT)"
http://ru.vfsglobal.co.uk/tourist.html

So £117.40 for a tourist visa?  Is that correct?  Or are they just promoting the fact that VFS is taking a £79 cut
and you can actually just spend a day and go to the Russian Embassy (near Barbican tube) and pay only £38.40 and be sorted? saving yourself the £79

Just to double-check, I also googled russian consulate NYC and they say the fee in NY is $160!!
http://www.ruscon.org/Visa_Information_Eng.html

Seems about right. Why are you so surprised?

Seems about right. Why are you so surprised?

it just seems steep considering all other EU countries are free for americans to visit. the cost of that visa significantly bites into the budget for the rest of one's holiday

Russia isn't part of the EEA or the EU, so the visa conditions there really have nothing to do with Russia. Apples and oranges.

You have to pay for a tourist visa for Russia, just like India or China.

UK citizens have to apply for visas to visit Russia too, not just US citizens.

thanks all. makes sense.
I ended up booking the airfare and hotel on points from my US credit card.  So now I just need to go to the Russian consulate here in London and sort it out.

Will report back as to my experience for any interested - now and future.