7) Texas (tie)
7.7% increase in home prices
At the beginning of December, home sales in Texas were on pace for a record-setting year, increasing 7.8 percent in the third quarter, largely due to the state’s healthy economy and robust population growth. Luxury home sales—those price at $1 million or higher—rose 9 percent in Austin, 13 percent in Houston, 15 percent in Dallas and 26 percent in San Antonio.