MAA Equity - Summary of Changes in Total Equity and its Components (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Dividends on preferred stock	$ (922)	$ (922)	$ (2,766)	$ (2,766)
Mid America Apartment Communities Inc. Shareholders Equity [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	6,120,667	6,171,577	6,088,408	6,289,459
Net Income Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	87,047	62,036	359,786	177,716
Other comprehensive income - derivative instruments	(278)	279	835	810
Issuance and registration of common shares	(103)	33	(436)	(344)
Shares repurchased and retired			(9,043)	(5,657)
Exercise of stock options	12		1,478	71
Redeemable stock fair market value adjustment	(2,356)	(155)	(7,545)	1,659
Amortization of unearned compensation	4,007	4,380	14,151	12,533
Dividends on preferred stock	(922)	(922)	(2,766)	(2,766)
Dividends on common stock	(118,018)	(114,369)	(353,168)	(343,106)
Dividends on noncontrolling interest units	(3,486)	(3,866)	(11,338)	(11,984)
Contribution from noncontrolling interest	3,204	262	9,968	864
Ending Balance	6,090,330	6,119,255	6,090,330	6,119,255
Mid America Apartment Communities Inc. Shareholders Equity [Member] | Preferred Stock [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	9	9	9	9
Ending Balance	9	9	9	9
Mid America Apartment Communities Inc. Shareholders Equity [Member] | Common Stock [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	1,147	1,140	1,141	1,140
Issuance and registration of common shares			2
Shares issued in exchange for common units	2		6
Ending Balance	1,149	1,140	1,149	1,140
Mid America Apartment Communities Inc. Shareholders Equity [Member] | Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	7,201,885	7,168,886	7,176,793	7,166,073
Issuance and registration of common shares	(103)	33	(438)	(344)
Shares repurchased and retired			(9,043)	(5,657)
Exercise of stock options	12		1,478	71
Shares issued in exchange for common units	11,106	21	33,266	471
Adjustment for noncontrolling interests in Operating Partnership	22	71	678	244
Amortization of unearned compensation	4,007	4,380	14,151	12,533
Ending Balance	7,216,885	7,173,391	7,216,885	7,173,391
Mid America Apartment Communities Inc. Shareholders Equity [Member] | Accumulated Distributions in Excess of Net Income [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	(1,272,694)	(1,202,536)	(1,294,182)	(1,085,479)
Net income attributable to MAA	84,479	59,910	348,150	171,620
Redeemable stock fair market value adjustment	(2,356)	(155)	(7,545)	1,659
Dividends on preferred stock	(922)	(922)	(2,766)	(2,766)
Dividends on common stock	(118,018)	(114,369)	(353,168)	(343,106)
Ending Balance	(1,309,511)	(1,258,072)	(1,309,511)	(1,258,072)
Mid America Apartment Communities Inc. Shareholders Equity [Member] | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	(11,632)	(12,665)	(12,128)	(13,178)
Other comprehensive income - derivative instruments	248	269	744	782
Ending Balance	(11,384)	(12,396)	(11,384)	(12,396)
Mid America Apartment Communities Inc. Shareholders Equity [Member] | Noncontrolling Interests - Operating Partnership [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	185,340	209,894	206,927	214,647
Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	2,568	2,126	11,636	6,096
Other comprehensive income - derivative instruments	(30)	10	91	28
Shares issued in exchange for common units	(11,108)	(21)	(33,272)	(471)
Adjustment for noncontrolling interests in Operating Partnership	(22)	(71)	(678)	(244)
Dividends on noncontrolling interest units	(3,486)	(3,866)	(11,338)	(11,984)
Ending Balance	173,366	208,072	173,366	208,072
Mid America Apartment Communities Inc. Shareholders Equity [Member] | Noncontrolling Interests - Consolidated Real Estate Entities [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	16,612	6,849	9,848	6,247
Contribution from noncontrolling interest	3,204	262	9,968	864
Ending Balance	$ 19,816	$ 7,111	$ 19,816	$ 7,111