North Lanarkshire in Scotland was the cheapest place to buy a cottage in Great Britain, with an average price of £83,500, according to research from Zoopla.
Sunderland in the North East followed, where cottages cost around £115,000.
Other affordable areas included Blackburn with Darwen in the North West at £157,500 and Rhondda Cynon Taf in Wales at £129,500.
Cottages were more expensive in the South, with Slough in the South East having the highest average price at £824,500.
Welwyn Hatfield in the East of England was next at £662,500.
York, South Northamptonshire and Gedling, and North Warwickshire also had high prices, with cottages selling for around £400,000 to £615,000.
Blackburn with Darwen saw the most buyer enquiries in the North West, with cottages priced at £157,500.
Southampton led in the South East at £280,000.
East Renfrewshire in Scotland saw high interest too, with an average cottage price of £100,000.
Neath Port Talbot, Bradford, and Plymouth were also popular with buyers looking for affordable cottages.
More cottages were for sale in places like the Derbyshire Dales, where they made up over 21% of homes for sale and the average price was £310,000.
Gwynedd and Ceredigion in Wales had a high share of cottages for sale, with prices at £244,000 and £292,500.
The Forest of Dean and the Cotswolds in the South West also had a strong concentration of cottages, at £380,500 and £525,000.
Daniel Copley, consumer expert at Zoopla, said: “Our data shows a clear and sustained appetite for the cottagecore lifestyle, a trend that shows no signs of slowing down.
“While the dream of a quaint, rural cottage is often associated with high prices, our analysis highlights that affordability can still be found across the country.
“From the rolling hills of North Lanarkshire to the coastal charm of Sunderland, there are options for prospective buyers on a range of budgets.”
Copley added: “We’re seeing this desire for a simpler life translate into market demand, with specific areas becoming hotspots for buyer interest.
“Whether you’re a first-time buyer or looking for a change of pace, the cottage market offers diverse opportunities.”
Nathan Emerson, CEO at Propertymark, said: “There are substantial regional differences throughout the UK when it comes to purchasing an idyllic property, with cottages in the North of England and in Scotland being revealed as more affordable locations to purchase as opposed to those in the South East.
“Many people’s property ambitions have been shifted since the pandemic, making properties like cottages and rural and coastal locations increasingly desirable.
“In some cases, house prices are increasing in line with a rise in demand, which can increase equity for homeowners, boost local economies through increased spending and construction, and has the potential for enhanced infrastructure and community improvements.”
