Techniques for performing association with leakage-based metrics in a wireless network are described. Association may be performed to select a serving node (e.g., a base station or a relay) for a station (e.g., a UE or a relay). In one design, at least one metric may be determined for at least one candidate node for possible association by the station. A metric for each candidate node may be determined based on leakage of the candidate node. The leakage of the candidate node may include interference due to the candidate node at stations not served by the candidate node (excluding the station). The metric for each candidate node may include a signal-to-leakage ratio (SLR), a geometry-to-leakage ratio (GLR), or a throughput-to-leakage ratio (TLR). A serving node for the station may be selected from among the at least one candidate node based on the at least one metric.