Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017
Limited Partner [Member]
Consolidated net income	$ 61,981	$ 50,155	$ 112,801	$ 93,571
Unrealized (loss) gain from the effective portion of derivative instruments	5,720	(3,863)	6,552	(1,343)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI on Derivatives, Net of Tax	(555)	246	(748)	918
Comprehensive income attributable to Mid-America Apartments, L.P.	67,146	46,538	118,605	93,146
Parent Company [Member]
Consolidated net income	61,981	50,155	112,801	93,571
Unrealized (loss) gain from the effective portion of derivative instruments	5,720	(3,863)	6,552	(1,343)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI on Derivatives, Net of Tax	(555)	246	(748)	918
Total comprehensive income	67,146	46,538	118,605	93,146
Less: comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(2,353)	(1,711)	(4,183)	(3,335)
Comprehensive income attributable to MAA	$ 64,793	$ 44,827	$ 114,422	$ 89,811