Consolidated Statements of Operations - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Property operating expenses:
Business Combination, Merger and Integration Related Expenses		$ 20,000	$ 40,800
Parent Company [Member]
Operating revenues:
Total operating revenues	$ 1,571,346	1,528,987	1,125,348
Property operating expenses:
Operating Costs and Expenses	371,095	364,190	280,572
Real estate taxes and insurance	223,493	212,541	142,784
Depreciation and amortization	489,759	493,708	322,958
Operating Expenses	1,084,347	1,070,439	746,314
Property management expenses	47,633	43,588	34,093
General and administrative expenses	34,786	40,194	29,040
Business Combination, Merger and Integration Related Expenses	9,112	19,990	40,823
Interest expense	(173,594)	(154,751)	(129,947)
Gain on sale of depreciable real estate assets excluded from discontinued operations	39	(127,386)	(80,397)
Gain on sale of non-depreciable real estate assets	(4,532)	(21)	(2,171)
Other Nonoperating Income (Expense)	(5,434)	(14,353)	1,839
Income before income tax expense	231,801	341,785	225,860
Income tax expense	(2,611)	(2,619)	(1,699)
Income from continuing operations before joint venture activity	229,190	339,166	224,161
Gain (loss) from real estate joint ventures	1,832	1,370	241
Consolidated net income	231,022	340,536	224,402
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	8,123	12,157	12,180
Net Income (Loss) Available to Shareholders	222,899	328,379	212,222
Preferred Stock Dividends, Income Statement Impact	3,688	3,688	307
Net income available for MAA common shareholders	219,211	324,691	211,915
Limited Partner [Member]
Operating revenues:
Total operating revenues	1,571,346	1,528,987	1,125,348
Property operating expenses:
Operating Costs and Expenses	371,095	364,190	280,572
Real estate taxes and insurance	223,493	212,541	142,784
Depreciation and amortization	489,759	493,708	322,958
Operating Expenses	1,084,347	1,070,439	746,314
Property management expenses	47,633	43,588	34,093
General and administrative expenses	34,786	40,194	29,040
Business Combination, Merger and Integration Related Expenses	9,112	19,990	40,823
Interest expense	(173,594)	(154,751)	(129,947)
Gain on sale of depreciable real estate assets excluded from discontinued operations	39	(127,386)	(80,397)
Gain on sale of non-depreciable real estate assets	(4,532)	(21)	(2,171)
Other Nonoperating Income (Expense)	(5,434)	(14,353)	1,839
Income before income tax expense	231,801	341,785	225,860
Income tax expense	(2,611)	(2,619)	(1,699)
Income from continuing operations before joint venture activity	229,190	339,166	224,161
Gain (loss) from real estate joint ventures	1,832	1,370	241
Consolidated net income	231,022	340,536	224,402
Preferred Stock Dividends, Income Statement Impact	3,688	3,688	307
Net income available for Mid-America Apartments, L.P. common unitholders	$ 227,334	$ 336,848	$ 224,095
Earnings Per Share, Basic [Abstract]
Basic Earnings Per Unit	$ 1.93	$ 2.86	$ 2.70
Earnings per share - diluted:
Net income available to common shareholders (dollars per share)	$ 1.93	$ 2.86	$ 2.70