The figures, from property information service RP Data, showed that Newcastle recorded a 1.5 per cent jump in median price in the 12 months to December, to $340,000.

This was a huge feat, given that 23 of the 29 coastal regions surveyed showed no change or falls in median prices.

There was a similar change in Newcastle median prices during the past five years, while there was a jump of more than 10 per cent during the past 10 years.

According to the data, rents jumped 6.5 per cent to a median of $330 a week.

Hunter-based Real Estate Institute of NSW president Wayne Stewart said any growth during the past year was excellent, especially given the horrific economic climate.

He said Newcastle's strong and diverse employment base was just one reason for the growth.

"We have a world-class university and medical facilities and they are only going to get better," he said.

"We've got the world's most productive port, which is sensational for any port-related employee. How many places can you sit and enjoy a latte while watching a five-storey tanker roll by?

"We also have arguably the state's nicest beaches, and it is still a very affordable place to live when comparing it to somewhere like Sydney, which has a median price of around $600,000."

Greater Geelong, in Victoria, had the largest increase in median house price nationally, of 2.1 per cent.