Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017
Limited Partner [Member]
Consolidated net income	$ 50,820	$ 43,416
Unrealized loss from the effective portion of derivitave insturments	832	2,520
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI on Derivatives, Net of Tax	(193)	672
Comprehensive income attributable to Mid-America Apartments, L.P.	51,459	46,608
Parent Company [Member]
Consolidated net income	50,820	43,416
Unrealized loss from the effective portion of derivitave insturments	832	2,520
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI on Derivatives, Net of Tax	(193)	672
Total comprehensive income	51,459	46,608
Less: comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(1,830)	(1,624)
Comprehensive income attributable to MAA	$ 49,629	$ 44,984