Leland's score reflects its status as a high-growth, safe, and family-oriented suburb. While it excels in safety and community amenities, the score is tempered by its high dependence on personal vehicles and the rising cost of housing relative to local income growth.
Leland is a strong choice, earning a MoveWiser Score of 78/100 based on cost of living, safety, schools, healthcare, housing, and jobs.
MoveWiser can compare your budget, lifestyle, climate preferences, and priorities with Leland and other cities — and show you how well each one fits you personally.
See How Well Leland Fits MeLeland earned its score primarily due to its rapid development of high-quality, master-planned housing and its reputation as a safe, family-friendly environment. The town's favorable tax climate and proximity to the Wilmington job market provide strong economic stability for residents. However, the score is limited by significant infrastructure challenges, specifically the heavy traffic congestion on the main highway corridors connecting the town to the coast. Additionally, the lack of a comprehensive public transit network and the rising median home prices relative to the national average prevent a higher score in the housing and transportation categories.
Leland earns a high safety rating on MoveWiser's 1-10 scale, with a safety score of 9/10. Safe, master-planned communities
Leland features a humid subtropical climate with hot, humid summers and mild winters. The area experiences significant annual rainfall and is susceptible to tropical weather systems during hurricane season.
Population
35,731
Median Home Price
$398,900
Median Rent
$1,735/mo
Average Salary
$91,977
Groceries / month
$360/mo








A fast-growing suburban community near Wilmington that balances four-season coastal living with North Carolina's favorable tax climate.
Leland is highly regarded for its safe, tight-knit suburban atmosphere and rapid growth. It offers a relaxed coastal lifestyle with easy access to the historic downtown and beaches of Wilmington, though residents must navigate significant traffic during peak hours.
While Leland's cost of living is slightly lower than the national average, housing prices have risen sharply due to high demand. Median home values hover near $400,000, making it more affordable than downtown Wilmington but increasingly expensive for first-time buyers.
Leland is best known as the fastest-growing municipality in Brunswick County, characterized by master-planned communities like Wedgewood at Lanvale. It is recognized for its modern, energy-efficient homes and its role as a peaceful residential hub for those working in the Wilmington metro area.
The primary advantages include access to high-quality amenities like golf courses and fitness centers within master-planned developments. Residents also benefit from a lower tax burden compared to other coastal regions and a high degree of safety in residential neighborhoods.
The most significant drawback is the heavy traffic congestion on major arteries like US-74/76, which serves as the primary link to Wilmington. Additionally, the lack of robust public transportation makes owning a car a necessity, and the area faces periodic risks from tropical storms and hurricanes.
Leland is an ideal fit for families seeking safe neighborhoods with good schools and retirees looking for amenity-rich, low-maintenance communities. It is less suited for those who prioritize walkability or urban nightlife, as the town is primarily suburban and car-dependent.
For each city we gather recent data on cost of living, safety, schools, healthcare, housing, jobs, transit, and walkability, then normalize each into a 1–10 category rating (10 = best) using consistent benchmarks across every city. The MoveWiser Score (0–100) is a weighted blend of those category ratings — a city scores well when several categories are strong and is held back by its weakest factors. The exact weighting isn't published, but the category ratings shown above make it clear what drives each score.
Data sources (linked where available):
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