MAA Equity - Summary of Changes in Total Equity and its Components (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2022	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2022	Sep. 30, 2021
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Dividends, Preferred Stock, Cash	$ (922)	$ (922)	$ (2,766)	$ (2,766)
Mid America Apartment Communities Inc. Shareholders Equity [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	6,168,116	6,120,667	6,153,907	6,088,408
Net Income Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	125,703	87,047	455,840	359,786
Other comprehensive income - derivative instruments	279	278	835	835
Issuance and registration of common shares	156	(103)	(276)	(436)
Shares repurchased and retired	(12)		(14,043)	(9,043)
Exercise of stock options		12	28	1,478
Redeemable stock fair market value adjustment	2,537	(2,356)	9,297	(7,545)
Amortization of unearned compensation	4,203	4,007	15,532	14,151
Dividends, Preferred Stock, Cash	(922)	(922)	(2,766)	(2,766)
Dividends on common stock	(144,309)	(118,018)	(414,138)	(353,168)
Dividends on noncontrolling interest units	(3,996)	(3,486)	(11,477)	(11,338)
Acquisition of noncontrolling interest			(43,070)
Contribution from noncontrolling interest		3,204	2,086	9,968
Ending Balance	6,151,755	6,090,330	6,151,755	6,090,330
Mid America Apartment Communities Inc. Shareholders Equity [Member] | Preferred Stock [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	9	9	9	9
Ending Balance	9	9	9	9
Mid America Apartment Communities Inc. Shareholders Equity [Member] | Common Stock [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	1,152	1,147	1,151	1,141
Issuance and registration of common shares			1	2
Shares issued in exchange for common units		2		6
Ending Balance	1,152	1,149	1,152	1,149
Mid America Apartment Communities Inc. Shareholders Equity [Member] | Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	7,191,920	7,201,885	7,230,956	7,176,793
Issuance and registration of common shares	156	(103)	(277)	(438)
Shares repurchased and retired	(12)		(14,043)	(9,043)
Exercise of stock options		12	28	1,478
Shares issued in exchange for common units	307	11,106	500	33,266
Adjustment for noncontrolling interests in Operating Partnership	(70)	(22)	1,251	678
Amortization of unearned compensation	4,203	4,007	15,532	14,151
Acquisition of noncontrolling interest			(37,443)
Ending Balance	7,196,504	7,216,885	7,196,504	7,216,885
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	(1,199,216)	(1,272,694)	(1,255,807)	(1,294,182)
Net income attributable to MAA	122,311	84,479	443,815	348,150
Redeemable stock fair market value adjustment	2,537	(2,356)	9,297	(7,545)
Dividends, Preferred Stock, Cash	(922)	(922)	(2,766)	(2,766)
Dividends on common stock	(144,309)	(118,018)	(414,138)	(353,168)
Ending Balance	(1,219,599)	(1,309,511)	(1,219,599)	(1,309,511)
Mid America Apartment Communities Inc. Shareholders Equity [Member] | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	(10,591)	(11,632)	(11,132)	(12,128)
Other comprehensive income - derivative instruments	270	248	811	744
Ending Balance	(10,321)	(11,384)	(10,321)	(11,384)
Mid America Apartment Communities Inc. Shareholders Equity [Member] | Noncontrolling Interests - Operating Partnership [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	165,062	185,340	165,116	206,927
Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	3,392	2,568	12,318	11,636
Other comprehensive income - derivative instruments	9	30	24	91
Shares issued in exchange for common units	(307)	(11,108)	(500)	(33,272)
Adjustment for noncontrolling interests in Operating Partnership	70	22	(1,251)	(678)
Dividends on noncontrolling interest units	(3,996)	(3,486)	(11,477)	(11,338)
Ending Balance	164,230	173,366	164,230	173,366
Mid America Apartment Communities Inc. Shareholders Equity [Member] | Noncontrolling Interests - Consolidated Real Estate Entities [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	19,780	16,612	23,614	9,848
Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest			(293)
Acquisition of noncontrolling interest			(5,627)
Contribution from noncontrolling interest		3,204	2,086	9,968
Ending Balance	$ 19,780	$ 19,816	$ 19,780	$ 19,816