Before we put in our gas stove I used my backpacking stoves. Over the years I have had several types: MSR Whisperlite which uses white gas. My issue with this type is that it can sometimes leak and that can be deadly indoors. I personally would not use any type of liquid gas indoors. My first choice is a canister stove. The gas is not that expensive, it stores quite well and should last for many meals. I have a preference for the type that does not have the canister directly under the burner. You may want to search rei.com for the various types of stoves: they have over 120 choices.
For a very low cost alternative you can make your own denatured alcohol burning stove out of drink cans. Youtube has a number of videos oh how to make them. The alcohol is usually sold at painting/building supply stores.