The elevated inflation rate in Atlanta partly stems from its lower starting point. Still, a mix of cash-rich investors and an influx of newcomers from the North are squeezing out locals.

Technology start-up Lessen, which connects institutional investors in SFRs with building contractors, is raising $170 million.

National Bureau of Economic Research found that made-up renters with White-sounding names got a response rate that was 3 to 6 percent higher.