Of the eight jurisdictions, only Victoria was performing more strongly than Tasmania, according to CommSec's latest quarterly State of the States report.

The report ranks states and territories on eight measures.

They are rated compared to "normal" performance by comparing recent performance with decade averages.

"Tasmania holds second spot, with strength in relative population growth supporting home purchase and (building) starts," the report said.

CommSec rated Tasmania first in the nation for dwelling starts and relative population growth.

The state was in second spot for housing finance.

It remained just in front of New South Wales overall, with the ACT fourth and Western Australia (seventh) and the Northern Territory (eighth) lagging.

CommSec rated Tasmania fifth for relative economic growth, and second for the fastest economic growth for the year to September (5.5 per cent).

The state was fourth out of eight for retail spending, which was 10.7 per cent stronger than the decade average.

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It was third for equipment investment against the decade average, although investment in new equipment was down by 24.1 per cent compared to a year earlier.

Tasmania was fourth on its relative unemployment rate performance and equal second with Victoria on employment growth.

The state was third for construction work done.

That was 19.2 per cent above the state's "normal" performance, while it was the only jurisdiction where construction spending did not fall in the September quarter.

Tasmania was the only state or territory where dwelling starts were ahead of the decade average (by 10.3 per cent).

Hobart had the highest inflation rate for the year to September (2.2 per cent), just pipped by the equal third highest state or territory wages growth (2.3 per cent).

Tasmania had the strongest annual growth in home prices and was equal second for employment growth.

Premier Peter Gutwein said the report "confirms what we already know; Tasmania is setting the pace when it comes to growing its economy."