Earnings Per OP Unit of MAALP - Schedule of Diluted Earnings per Common Unit (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2022	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2022	Jun. 30, 2021
Earnings Per Share Disclosure [Line Items]
Net income	$ 216,560	$ 223,875	$ 330,137	$ 272,739
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	5,858	7,397	8,633	9,068
Dividends, Preferred Stock, Cash	(922)	(922)	(1,844)	(1,844)
Income from continuing operations available for common shareholders, adjusted	$ 209,631	$ 215,322	$ 319,432	$ 261,533
Earnings per share - basic	$ 1.82	$ 1.88	$ 2.77	$ 2.29
Net income available for MAA common shareholders, adjusted	$ 209,780	$ 215,556	$ 319,660	$ 261,827
Effect of dilutive securities	203	318	336	311
Weighted average common shares - diluted	115,556	114,812	115,642	114,690
Earnings per common share - diluted	$ 1.82	$ 1.88	$ 2.76	$ 2.28
Limited Partnership [Member]
Earnings Per Share Disclosure [Line Items]
Net income	$ 216,560	$ 223,875	$ 330,137	$ 272,739
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0	(293)	0
Income from continuing operations allocated to unvested restricted shares	(149)	(234)	(228)	(294)
Dividends, Preferred Stock, Cash	(922)	(922)	(1,844)	(1,844)
Income from continuing operations available for common shareholders, adjusted	$ 215,489	$ 222,719	$ 328,358	$ 270,601
Weighted average common units - basic	118,555	118,411	118,509	118,365
Earnings per share - basic	$ 1.82	$ 1.88	$ 2.77	$ 2.29
Net income available for MAA common shareholders, adjusted	$ 215,638	$ 222,953	$ 328,586	$ 270,895
Effect of dilutive securities	203	318	336	311
Weighted average common shares - diluted	118,758	118,729	118,845	118,676
Earnings per common share - diluted	$ 1.82	$ 1.88	$ 2.76	$ 2.28