MAA Equity - Summary of Changes in Total Equity and its Components (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022	Mar. 31, 2021
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Dividends, Preferred Stock, Cash	$ (922)	$ (922)
Mid America Apartment Communities Inc. Shareholders Equity [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	6,153,907	6,088,408
Net Income Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	113,577	48,864
Other comprehensive income - derivative instruments	279	279
Issuance and registration of common shares	21	134
Shares repurchased and retired	(3,162)	(1,730)
Exercise of stock options	28	1,466
Redeemable stock fair market value adjustment	2,533	(2,158)
Amortization of unearned compensation	6,928	5,993
Dividends, Preferred Stock, Cash	(922)	(922)
Dividends on common stock	(125,433)	(117,278)
Dividends on noncontrolling interest units	(3,479)	(4,156)
Acquisition of noncontrolling interest	(43,070)
Contribution from noncontrolling interest	2,155	633
Ending Balance	6,103,362	6,019,533
Mid America Apartment Communities Inc. Shareholders Equity [Member] | Preferred Stock [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	9	9
Ending Balance	9	9
Mid America Apartment Communities Inc. Shareholders Equity [Member] | Common Stock [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	1,151	1,141
Issuance and registration of common shares		1
Ending Balance	1,151	1,142
Mid America Apartment Communities Inc. Shareholders Equity [Member] | Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	7,230,956	7,176,793
Issuance and registration of common shares	21	133
Shares repurchased and retired	(3,162)	(1,730)
Exercise of stock options	28	1,466
Shares issued in exchange for common units	193	232
Adjustment for noncontrolling interests in Operating Partnership	953	(116)
Amortization of unearned compensation	6,928	5,993
Acquisition of noncontrolling interest	(37,443)
Ending Balance	7,198,474	7,182,771
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	(1,255,807)	(1,294,182)
Net income attributable to MAA	110,802	47,193
Redeemable stock fair market value adjustment	2,533	(2,158)
Dividends, Preferred Stock, Cash	(922)	(922)
Dividends on common stock	(125,433)	(117,278)
Ending Balance	(1,268,827)	(1,367,347)
Mid America Apartment Communities Inc. Shareholders Equity [Member] | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	(11,132)	(12,128)
Other comprehensive income - derivative instruments	272	269
Ending Balance	(10,860)	(11,859)
Mid America Apartment Communities Inc. Shareholders Equity [Member] | Noncontrolling Interests - Operating Partnership [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	165,116	206,927
Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	3,068	1,671
Other comprehensive income - derivative instruments	7	10
Shares issued in exchange for common units	(193)	(232)
Adjustment for noncontrolling interests in Operating Partnership	(953)	116
Dividends on noncontrolling interest units	(3,479)	(4,156)
Ending Balance	163,566	204,336
Mid America Apartment Communities Inc. Shareholders Equity [Member] | Noncontrolling Interests - Consolidated Real Estate Entities [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	23,614	9,848
Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	(293)
Acquisition of noncontrolling interest	(5,627)
Contribution from noncontrolling interest	2,155	633
Ending Balance	$ 19,849	$ 10,481