Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2022	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2022	Jun. 30, 2021
Revenues:
Rental and other property revenues	$ 495,040	$ 436,927	$ 971,118	$ 861,932
Expenses:
Operating expenses, excluding real estate taxes and insurance	110,007	101,751	211,124	197,712
Real estate taxes and insurance	71,670	67,010	139,973	133,517
Depreciation and amortization	134,144	131,824	267,882	263,327
Total property operating expenses	315,821	300,585	618,979	594,556
Property management expenses	15,630	13,752	32,167	26,691
General and administrative expenses	15,580	13,114	31,903	26,093
Interest expense	38,905	38,867	78,026	78,539
Gain on sale of depreciable real estate assets	(131,965)	(134,828)	(131,964)	(134,828)
Gain on sale of non-depreciable real estate assets	(355)	(32)	(378)	(32)
Other non-operating expense (income)	28,325	(20,126)	17,530	(4,213)
Income before income tax benefit (expense)	213,099	225,595	324,855	275,126
Income tax benefit (expense)	3,052	(2,045)	4,494	(3,044)
Income from continuing operations before real estate joint venture activity	216,151	223,550	329,349	272,082
Income from real estate joint venture	409	325	788	657
Net income	216,560	223,875	330,137	272,739
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	5,858	7,397	8,633	9,068
Net income available for shareholders	210,702	216,478	321,504	263,671
Dividends to MAA Series I preferred shareholders	922	922	1,844	1,844
Net income available for MAA common shareholders	$ 209,780	$ 215,556	$ 319,660	$ 261,827
Earnings per common share - basic:
Net income available for MAALP common unitholders	$ 1.82	$ 1.88	$ 2.77	$ 2.29
Earnings per common share - diluted:
Net income available for MAALP common unitholders	$ 1.82	$ 1.88	$ 2.76	$ 2.28
Limited Partnership [Member]
Revenues:
Rental and other property revenues	$ 495,040	$ 436,927	$ 971,118	$ 861,932
Expenses:
Operating expenses, excluding real estate taxes and insurance	110,007	101,751	211,124	197,712
Real estate taxes and insurance	71,670	67,010	139,973	133,517
Depreciation and amortization	134,144	131,824	267,882	263,327
Total property operating expenses	315,821	300,585	618,979	594,556
Property management expenses	15,630	13,752	32,167	26,691
General and administrative expenses	15,580	13,114	31,903	26,093
Interest expense	38,905	38,867	78,026	78,539
Gain on sale of depreciable real estate assets	(131,965)	(134,828)	(131,964)	(134,828)
Gain on sale of non-depreciable real estate assets	(355)	(32)	(378)	(32)
Other non-operating expense (income)	28,325	(20,126)	17,530	(4,213)
Income before income tax benefit (expense)	213,099	225,595	324,855	275,126
Income tax benefit (expense)	3,052	(2,045)	4,494	(3,044)
Income from continuing operations before real estate joint venture activity	216,151	223,550	329,349	272,082
Income from real estate joint venture	409	325	788	657
Net income	216,560	223,875	330,137	272,739
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0	(293)	0
Net income available for shareholders	216,560	223,875	330,430	272,739
Dividends to MAA Series I preferred shareholders	922	922	1,844	1,844
Net income available for MAA common shareholders	$ 215,638	$ 222,953	$ 328,586	$ 270,895
Earnings per common share - basic:
Net income available for MAALP common unitholders	$ 1.82	$ 1.88	$ 2.77	$ 2.29
Earnings per common share - diluted:
Net income available for MAALP common unitholders	$ 1.82	$ 1.88	$ 2.76	$ 2.28