I personally find mid-range tyres can often be very good. I haven't tried those in particular, but I've had all sorts. Kuhmos, Falkens, Firestones, Federals, even some which are in the budget category, Three-A P606 (only the P606 though, others I've tried weren't great) - And I drive my cars fairly hard, often too hard. You definitely don't need to break the bank to find a nice progressive tyre with reasonable wet weather performance. Though I have also had Pilot Sports, and even AD08R semi slicks and whatever.
But for many on here, money isn't too much of an issue, so they choose to pay the extra for a bit more performance, and a bit more safety (the results of wet braking tests in particular, are indisputable, but some mid-range tyres do still square up).
It is also worth considering that some premium makes, Michelin and Goodyear in particular, offer far superior wear rates to almost any mid-range tyre, so as long as you drive enough miles before the tyres are getting old or you sell the car, they offer equal if not better value.
Sorry, forgot to mention that my rear axle has different make tyres. I keep my fingers crossed once on a road.
That is less than ideal, and while you probably wouldn't notice in general driving (especially if both are decent tyres individually) I would personally replace one with a part worn tyre thats the same as the other side, so that IF you get in a sticky situation where both rear tyres lose traction, they lose traction at a roughly equal rate, and the cars behaviour is more predictable.
Its not really considered "unsafe" in general driving unless there is, for instance, an exceptionally good tyre like a Michelin Pilot Sport 4S on one side and an exceptionally bad tyre like a Kenda DitchDiscoverer 9000 on the other side, or a summer tyre on one side and a winter tyre on the other.
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