In the final analysis, it is up to you. One of the strengths of Perl is how it allows the programmer to work efficiently. The computer usually works efficiently, too, but the programmer's efficiency comes first.

So, if you decide it is better/easier/simpler to return an "expensive" data structure (rather than forcing your caller to dereference it later), then go right ahead! Unless you are doing something really "out there" (and I could give you some examples I have tried and discarded ;-) Perl will take good care of you.