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		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2022	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2022	Sep. 30, 2021
Earnings Per Share Disclosure [Line Items]
Net income	$ 125,703	$ 87,047	$ 455,840	$ 359,786
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	(3,392)	(2,568)	(12,025)	(11,636)
Dividends, Preferred Stock, Cash	(922)	(922)	(2,766)	(2,766)
Income from continuing operations available for common shareholders, adjusted	$ 121,307	$ 83,477	$ 440,741	$ 345,025
Earnings per share - basic	$ 1.05	$ 0.73	$ 3.82	$ 3.01
Net income available for MAA common shareholders, adjusted	$ 121,389	$ 83,557	$ 441,049	$ 345,384
Effect of dilutive securities	205	296	267	305
Weighted average common shares - diluted	115,568	115,229	115,592	114,873
Earnings per common share - diluted	$ 1.05	$ 0.73	$ 3.82	$ 3.01
Limited Partnership [Member]
Earnings Per Share Disclosure [Line Items]
Net income	$ 125,703	$ 87,047	$ 455,840	$ 359,786
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0	293	0
Income from continuing operations allocated to unvested restricted shares	(82)	(80)	(308)	(359)
Dividends, Preferred Stock, Cash	(922)	(922)	(2,766)	(2,766)
Income from continuing operations available for common shareholders, adjusted	$ 124,699	$ 86,045	$ 453,059	$ 356,661
Weighted average common units - basic	118,564	118,430	118,528	118,389
Earnings per share - basic	$ 1.05	$ 0.73	$ 3.82	$ 3.01
Net income available for MAA common shareholders, adjusted	$ 124,781	$ 86,125	$ 453,367	$ 357,020
Effect of dilutive securities	205	296	267	305
Weighted average common shares - diluted	118,769	118,726	118,795	118,694
Earnings per common share - diluted	$ 1.05	$ 0.73	$ 3.82	$ 3.01