A decline of $4, on average, in U.S. monthly rents in December failed to damper what was overall a strong year for rent growth in 2016.

The national monthly rent average for December was $1,210, according to data compiled from 123 markets surveyed by Yardi® Matrix. Rents grew 4% on a year-over-year basis in December.

While rents fell by $10 in the last four months of 2016, with some metros—including Houston; San Francisco; Boston; Austin, Texas; Miami and Denver—showing considerable flattening, normal seasonal factors accounted for some of the decline.

“As we have stressed in recent months, fundamentals remain sound and deceleration is not alarming,” the report states.

Leaders in year-over-year rent growth in December were Sacramento, Calif., California’s Inland Empire, Portland, Ore., Seattle and Las Vegas.

Looking ahead to 2017, the monthly Yardi Matrix report predicts continuing deceleration in the first half of the year followed by potential growth spurred by economic stimulus and an anticipated decline in new supply.

To see the full December report, click here.