Kynda's smaller hull did not guarantee lower cost

Did Kynda's much smaller displacement make it cheaper than contemporary large gun cruisers?

Not necessarily; the smaller hull reduced some costs, but its dense and advanced technology could absorb the savings, making the comparison roughly neutral.

The Kynda class displaced much less than Sverdlov, Worcester, and Tiger-class cruisers, which suggests a cheaper ship. Its concentration of advanced technology pushed cost in the opposite direction. The smaller hull and dense electronics could therefore cancel each other out, leaving the overall cost comparison roughly neutral.