Partners' Capital of Mid-America Apartments, L.P. (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Schedule of Capital Structure [Line Items]
Operating partnership units outstanding	79,444,389	44,446,933
General Partners' Capital Account, Units Outstanding	75,242,266	42,744,978
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	4,202,123	1,701,955
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	4,202,123	1,701,955
Limited Partners' Capital Account	$ 275,869,375	$ 106,372,188
Redeemable Capital Shares Par Or Stated Value Per Share	$ 65.65	$ 62.50