Partners' Capital of Mid-America Apartments, L.P. (Details) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Schedule of Capital Structure [Line Items]
Operating partnership units outstanding	79,401,933	44,443,794
General Partners' Capital Account, Units Outstanding	75,194,807	42,736,134
Limited Liability Company (LLC) or Limited Partnership (LP), Managing Member or General Partner, Ownership Interest	94.70%	96.20%
Limited Partners' Capital Account, Units Outstanding	4,207,126	1,707,660
Units Issued During Period, Acquisitions	34,491,396
Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Schedule of Capital Structure [Line Items]
Common Shares Issuable Upon Conversion Of Convertible Stock	4,207,126	1,707,660
Limited Partners' Capital Account	$ 307,330,554	$ 115,728,118
Redeemable Capital Shares Par Or Stated Value Per Share	$ 73.05	$ 67.77