Consolidated Statements of Operations - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2025	Dec. 31, 2024	Dec. 31, 2023
Revenues:
Rental and other property revenues	$ 2,209,126	$ 2,191,015	$ 2,148,468
Expenses:
Operating expenses, excluding real estate taxes and insurance	518,860	502,735	461,540
Real estate taxes and insurance	318,947	317,357	306,601
Depreciation and amortization	622,295	585,616	565,063
Total property operating expenses	1,460,102	1,405,708	1,333,204
Property management expenses	74,779	72,040	67,784
General and administrative expenses	54,807	56,516	58,578
Interest expense	185,257	168,544	149,234
(Gain) loss on sale of depreciable real estate assets	(72,066)	(55,003)	62
Gain on sale of non-depreciable real estate assets	0	0	(54)
Other non-operating expense (income)	47,161	(1,655)	(31,185)
Income before income tax expense	459,086	544,865	570,845
Income tax expense	(4,595)	(5,240)	(4,744)
Income from continuing operations before real estate joint venture activity	454,491	539,625	566,101
Income from real estate joint venture	2,075	1,951	1,730
Net income	456,566	541,576	567,831
Net (loss) income attributable to noncontrolling interests	9,657	14,033	15,025
Net income	446,909	527,543	552,806
Dividends to MAA Series I preferred shareholders	3,688	3,688	3,688
Net income available for MAA common shareholders	$ 443,221	$ 523,855	$ 549,118
Earnings per common share - basic:
Net income available for MAA common shareholders	$ 3.79	$ 4.49	$ 4.71
Earnings per common share - diluted:
Net income available for MAA common shareholders	$ 3.78	$ 4.49	$ 4.71
Limited Partnership [Member]
Revenues:
Rental and other property revenues	$ 2,209,126	$ 2,191,015	$ 2,148,468
Expenses:
Operating expenses, excluding real estate taxes and insurance	518,860	502,735	461,540
Real estate taxes and insurance	318,947	317,357	306,601
Depreciation and amortization	622,295	585,616	565,063
Total property operating expenses	1,460,102	1,405,708	1,333,204
Property management expenses	74,779	72,040	67,784
General and administrative expenses	54,807	56,516	58,578
Interest expense	185,257	168,544	149,234
(Gain) loss on sale of depreciable real estate assets	(72,066)	(55,003)	62
Gain on sale of non-depreciable real estate assets	0	0	(54)
Other non-operating expense (income)	47,161	(1,655)	(31,185)
Income before income tax expense	459,086	544,865	570,845
Income tax expense	(4,595)	(5,240)	(4,744)
Income from continuing operations before real estate joint venture activity	454,491	539,625	566,101
Income from real estate joint venture	2,075	1,951	1,730
Net income	456,566	541,576	567,831
Net (loss) income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(1,727)	0	62
Net income	458,293	541,576	567,769
Dividends to MAA Series I preferred shareholders	3,688	3,688	3,688
Net income available for MAA common shareholders	$ 454,605	$ 537,888	$ 564,081
Earnings per common share - basic:
Net income available for MAALP common unitholders	$ 3.79	$ 4.49	$ 4.71
Earnings per common share - diluted:
Net income available for MAALP common unitholders	$ 3.78	$ 4.49	$ 4.71