Earnings Per Common Share of MAA (Details) - Parent Company [Member] - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Earnings Per Share Disclosure
Dividends, Preferred Stock, Cash		$ 3,688	$ 3,688	$ 924
Weighted average common shares, basic		113,638	113,407	78,502
Weighted Average Number Diluted Shares Outstanding Adjustment		198	280	298
Weighted average common shares - diluted		113,836	113,687	78,800
Calculation of Basic Earnings per Share [Member]
Earnings Per Share Disclosure
Income from Continuing Operations, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest		$ 231,022	$ 340,536	$ 224,402
Income from Continuing Operations Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest		(8,123)	(12,157)	(12,180)
Income from continuing operations allocated to unvested restricted shares		(291)	(535)	(572)
Dividends, Preferred Stock, Cash		(3,688)	(3,688)	(307)
Income from continuing operations available for common shareholders, adjusted		$ 218,920	$ 324,156	$ 211,343
Basic Earnings Per Share		$ 1.93	$ 2.86	$ 2.69
Calculation of Diluted Earnings per Share [Member]
Earnings Per Share Disclosure
Income from Continuing Operations, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest		$ 231,022	$ 340,536	$ 224,402
Income from Continuing Operations Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest		(8,123)	(12,157)	(12,180)
Dividends, Preferred Stock, Cash		(3,688)	(3,688)	(307)
Income from continuing operations available for common shareholders, adjusted		$ 219,211	$ 324,691	$ 211,915
Diluted Earnings Per Share		$ 1.93	$ 2.86	$ 2.69
Limited Partnership Units [Member]
Earnings Per Share Disclosure
Effect of dilutive securities (shares)	[1]	4,100	4,200	4,200

[1] (1) For the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, 4.1 million, 4.2 million and 4.2 million OP Units and their related income, respectively, are not included in the diluted earnings per share calculations as they are not dilutive.