Segment Information - Revenues and NOI for Reportable Segment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2022	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2022	Sep. 30, 2021
Segment Information
Total operating revenues	$ 520,783	$ 452,575	$ 1,491,901	$ 1,314,507
Net Operating Income	329,360	279,737	949,381	810,440
Depreciation and amortization	(136,879)	(134,611)	(404,761)	(397,938)
Property management expenses	(16,262)	(13,831)	(48,429)	(40,522)
General and administrative expenses	(12,188)	(12,670)	(44,091)	(38,763)
Interest expense	(38,637)	(39,234)	(116,663)	(117,773)
Loss (gain) on sale of depreciable real estate assets	(1)	(313)	131,963	134,515
Gain on sale of non-depreciable real estate assets	431	170	809	202
Other non-operating (expense) income	(1,718)	10,344	(19,248)	14,557
Income tax benefit (expense)	1,256	(2,803)	5,750	(5,847)
Gain (loss) from real estate joint ventures	341	258	1,129	915
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	(3,392)	(2,568)	(12,025)	(11,636)
Preferred Stock Dividends, Income Statement Impact	(922)	(922)	(2,766)	(2,766)
Net income available for MAA common shareholders	121,389	83,557	441,049	345,384
Same Store [Member]
Segment Information
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Including Assessed Tax	492,215	429,267	1,412,358	1,243,540
Other operating income expense net	3,162	2,939	9,656	9,215
Total operating revenues	495,377	432,206	1,422,014	1,252,755
Net Operating Income	315,616	268,882	910,496	777,147
Non-Same Store and Other [Member]
Segment Information
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Including Assessed Tax	24,278	20,210	68,382	60,885
Other operating income expense net	1,128	159	1,505	867
Total operating revenues	25,406	20,369	69,887	61,752
Net Operating Income	$ 13,744	$ 10,855	$ 38,885	$ 33,293