How much does a cable TV pilot cost to produce?

This depends on the type of show and your creativity to avert expenses....

If you want action/adventure/sci fi, then you are talking about sets, locations, effects, big props and most likely millions of dollars

If you want drama and the show is centered around people/emotions/behaviors I would venture to guess it might cost somewhere around $50,000

If you want a show like jackass, with home movie cameras and crazy stunts, it might cost under $1,000.

Depends on your creativity is the real answer.