Segment Information - Revenues and NOI for Reportable Segment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2022	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2022	Jun. 30, 2021
Segment Information
Total operating revenues	$ 495,040	$ 436,927	$ 971,118	$ 861,932
Net Operating Income	313,363	268,166	620,021	530,703
Depreciation and amortization	(134,144)	(131,824)	(267,882)	(263,327)
Other Cost and Expense, Operating	(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 income (expense)	(28,325)	20,126	(17,530)	4,213
Income tax benefit (expense)	3,052	(2,045)	4,494	(3,044)
Gain (loss) from real estate joint ventures	409	325	788	657
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(5,858)	(7,397)	(8,633)	(9,068)
Preferred Stock Dividends, Income Statement Impact	(922)	(922)	(1,844)	(1,844)
Net income available for MAA common shareholders	209,780	215,556	319,660	261,827
Same Store [Member]
Segment Information
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Including Assessed Tax	468,427	412,079	920,143	814,273
Other operating income expense net	3,733	3,324	6,494	6,276
Total operating revenues	472,160	415,403	926,637	820,549
Net Operating Income	300,238	256,325	594,880	508,265
Non-Same Store and Other [Member]
Segment Information
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Including Assessed Tax	22,705	21,088	44,104	40,675
Other operating income expense net	175	436	377	708
Total operating revenues	22,880	21,524	44,481	41,383
Net Operating Income	$ 13,125	$ 11,841	$ 25,141	$ 22,438