How much does it cost to rent in Leland, NC?

As of July 2026, the median monthly rent in Leland, NC is $1,671. This figure is based on aggregated data from public sources and community-submitted rents.

Is Leland cheaper than other North Carolina cities?

Leland falls in the middle range for North Carolina, ranking #74 out of 126 cities at $1,671/mo.

When was Leland rent data last updated?

Leland rent data reflects July 2026 and was last refreshed on July 20, 2026. RentDataNow refreshes all data monthly using public and private datasets.

Is Leland a renter's market or a landlord's market?

Based on RentDataNow's Rent Market Meter, Leland is currently a renter's market. Rents are softening (down 1.1% YoY), so renters have negotiating leverage. The meter is derived from rent-price momentum (year-over-year and month-over-month change), not inventory levels.

City Report · NC

Leland

Name: Average Rent Prices in Leland, NC
Creator: RentDataNow
License: https://rentdatanow.com/terms-of-service

Pop. 29,607·74th most expensive in North Carolina·Rental market data updated monthly for Leland, NC

Median rent (all units)

$1,671/mo

Year-over-Year

-1.1%

Month-over-Month

-1.3%

vs US Median

-$294

Falling (Monthly)

Be the first to discuss Leland rents ↓

Most AffordableMost Expensive

Leland · $1,671

More affordable than 64% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo

Rent Reality Score

59/100

Fairly priced

OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 4% below what Leland's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent

$1,671/mo

Expected by trend

$1,749/mo

The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Leland's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$1,200

1 BR

$1,320

2 BR

$1,460

3 BR

$2,050

4 BR+

$2,450

Research median

$1,460/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

Loading…

Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost

$20,052/yr

At $1,671/mo median

Rent Market Meter

Renter's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are softening (down 1.1% YoY), so renters have negotiating leverage.

Based on rent-price momentum (-1.1% YoY, -1.3% MoM), not inventory.

Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

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.

Population

29,607

Median income

$91,977

Median age

47.3

Renters

19.4%

Age distribution

16.3%

19.6%

19.8%

15.8%

28.4%

Under 1816.3%

18–3419.6%

35–5419.8%

55–6415.8%

65+28.4%

Gender

48.3%

51.7%

Male48.3%

Female51.7%

Race & ethnicity

83.5%

White83.5%

Black7.8%

Hispanic4.6%

Asian0.7%

Other3.5%

Education (25+)

21.5%

32.1%

43.7%

No HS diploma2.7%

HS diploma21.5%

Some college32.1%

Bachelor's+43.7%

Housing tenure

80.6%

19.4%

Owner80.6%

Renter19.4%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2023 vs 2026

How Leland, NC has changed in 5 years

Rent

$1,649 → $1,671

up 1.3%

Income

$78,884 → $91,977

up 16.6%

Population

22,794 → 29,607

up 29.9%

Renter share

17.9% → 19.4%

+1.5 pts

Bachelor's+

39.1% → 43.7%

+4.6 pts

Median age

46.3 → 47.3

+1.0 yrs

The median rent in Leland, NC stood at $1,649 in 2023 and currently runs about $1,671, reflecting a 1.3% 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.

Community

Discussions about Leland

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View Leland rent history (2015–2026) →

Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Leland on your salary?

At $1,671/mo, how Leland rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

Registered Nurse

Avg $88,811/yr · Rent = 22.6% income

affordable

Elementary School Teacher

Avg $63,055/yr · Rent = 31.8% income

stretched

Police Officer

Avg $72,634/yr · Rent = 27.6% income

affordable

Software Developer

Avg $129,823/yr · Rent = 15.4% income

very comfortable

Lawyer

Avg $165,882/yr · Rent = 12.1% income

very comfortable

Firefighter

Avg $59,041/yr · Rent = 34% income

stretched

Truck Driver

Avg $53,307/yr · Rent = 37.6% income

stretched

Electrician

Avg $65,706/yr · Rent = 30.5% income

stretched

By apartment size

Leland rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Leland. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Leland

About renting in Leland, NC

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Leland is $1,671/mo as of July 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 decreased 1.1% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Leland an affordable city for renters?

Leland is considered very affordable for renters. At $1,671/mo, rent takes approximately 22% of the local median household income ($91,977/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Leland falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Leland?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $67,000/year (~$32/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,671/mo in Leland. The local median household income is $91,977/yr, meaning the typical Leland household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Leland?

Rent in Leland has decreased 1.1% over the past year as of July 2026, offering some relief compared to 12 months ago.

How does Leland rent compare to other cities in North Carolina?

Leland is middle-of-the-pack for North Carolina for rent, ranking #74 out of 126 tracked cities at $1,671/mo.

What percentage of Leland residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 19.4% of Leland households are renters, while 80.6% are owner-occupied. Leland leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Leland rent compare to the national average?

Leland's median rent of $1,671/mo is $294 (15%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within North Carolina, it ranks #74 out of 126 tracked cities.

Income Affordability

22%

VERY AFFORDABLE

At $1,671/mo, rent takes ~22% of Leland's median household income ($91,977/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Leland 22%Benchmark 30%

State income tax4.5%

Run the Leland affordability calculator →

Nearby cities