At $1,697/mo, rent takes about 22% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.
Rent by unit size
These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,697 market median above, and that is expected: FMR is the 40th percentile of standard-quality units and counts gross rent, so it includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash. The market median is asking rent, which usually excludes utilities. HUD sets FMR once a year; market rent here updates monthly.
Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents. Read the methodology →
12-month history
Last updated: October 17, 2026
What the numbers show
Rent in Leland is 1.5% below its high of $1,722 in August 2024, at $1,697 as of September 2026.
Rent in Leland changed +3.6% over the year to September 2026. Across the 94 North Carolina cities Zillow tracks, the typical change was +2.9%.
Rent has risen 2 months in a row, and rose in 7 of the last 12 months.
30% of the median household income ($91,977) is $2,299 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 3-bedroom ($2,050); a 4-bedroom is $2,450.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Leland. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.
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Who lives here
Leland, NC is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, has a median income above the national average, 43.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Leland, NC has changed in 5 years
The median rent in Leland, NC stood at $1,623 in 2023 and currently runs about $1,697, reflecting a 4.6% increase over the period. Household income in the area moved from $78,884 to $91,977 across the same window, up 16.6% versus 2021. On paper, paychecks moved up faster than rent, which softens the affordability squeeze versus the 2021 baseline. The population has grown by 29.9% since 2021, moving from about 22,794 residents to roughly 29,607. Renters now make up 19.4% of households, compared with 17.9% five years ago. College-educated residents now make up 43.7% of adults here, versus 39.1% in 2021. Reading these numbers side by side helps frame whether current listings in Leland, NC look reasonable against where the market sat half a decade ago.
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Can you afford rent in Leland on your salary?
At $1,697/mo, how Leland rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Leland rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Leland. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Leland
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in Leland is $1,697/mo as of October 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,200/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,460/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,320/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,050/mo.
At 22% of local median household income ($91,977/yr), Leland ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 3.6% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
How much income do you need to rent in Leland?
Is rent going up or down in Leland?
How does Leland rent compare to other cities in North Carolina?
At $1,697/mo, rent takes ~22% of Leland's median household income ($91,977/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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