Shareholders' Equity of MAA - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2021	Sep. 30, 2022	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2022	Sep. 30, 2021	Dec. 31, 2021
Equity [Line Items]
Common stock, shares outstanding		115,447,252	115,138,323	115,447,252	115,138,323	115,336,876
Total common shares and operating partnership units outstanding		118,643,681	118,541,005	118,643,681	118,541,005
Proceeds from Stock Options Exercised, Net					$ 1.5
Equity Forward Sale Agreements [Member]
Equity [Line Items]
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues	1,100,000
Common stock, price per share	$ 190.56
Common stock settlement under agreement	0
Common shares attributable to dilutive effect of equity forward agreements				17,000
At The Market Offering [Member]
Equity [Line Items]
Common stock shares sold		0	0	0	0
Remaining common stock to be issued				4,000,000.0
Maximum [Member] | At The Market Offering [Member]
Equity [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Authorized		4,000,000.0		4,000,000.0
Equity Option [Member]
Equity [Line Items]
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues				350	19,032
Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Equity [Line Items]
Common Shares Issuable Upon Conversion Of Convertible Stock		3,196,429	3,402,682	3,196,429	3,402,682
Employee Stock Option [Member]
Equity [Line Items]
Common stock shares, outstanding option		463	813	463	813