Where can I buy a iphone 4s with no contract and that is cheap?

Do you buy it unlocked or retail price

If you do not have an upgrade available it is not going to be cheap anywhere! Maybe search ebay and amazon and see if you can find one for cheap and then you can get it activated. Thats where you will mostly find it cheap.

Metro Pcs

The two don't happen together - expensive or with a contact (which has you paying even more by the time the contract is finished).

2 things to add… You can find used older models at good prices. And be aware of deals that seem too good to be true, as they always are. Too many stolen or still under contract phones are surfacing on the used market for a quick sale.