Rents are on the rise in most of Western Australia's regional markets. Urban areas performed particularly well, in contrast to the Perth market, where rents are falling.

"All but two regional centres increased or remained stable in their median rent price over the December quarter," said REIWA President, Hayden Groves.

"Albany urban area was a top performer in the December quarter with its median rent lifting $10 a week, followed by Esperance urban area, which lifted $7 over the quarter.

"Port Hedland had the biggest decline in price, with its median rent coming in at $485 per week, a $65 decline over the quarter." 

Karratha was an anomaly, with rents jumping $200 over the quarter - reflecting a small sample size, rather than a rental-market boom.

Overall, regional Western Australia's median rents rose $20 to $380 per week over the December quarter. Groves said that the growth in rents, as well as a 7% increase in the number of leased properties, and a one-day decline in the average time to lease, are all signs of a healthy rental market.