MAA Equity - Summary of Changes in Total Equity and its Components (Details) - Mid America Apartment Communities Inc. Shareholders Equity [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2023	Mar. 31, 2022
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	$ 6,189,748	$ 6,153,907
Net Income Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	139,574	113,577
Other comprehensive income - derivative instruments	278	279
Issuance and registration of common shares	203,897	21
Shares repurchased and retired	(1,920)	(3,162)
Exercise of stock options		28
Shares issued in exchange for redeemable stock	581
Redeemable stock fair market value adjustment	793	2,533
Amortization of unearned compensation	6,379	6,928
Dividends, Preferred Stock, Cash	(922)	(922)
Dividends on common stock	(163,252)	(125,433)
Dividends on noncontrolling interest units	(4,416)	(3,479)
Acquisition of noncontrolling interest		(43,070)
Distribution to noncontrolling interest	256
Contribution from noncontrolling interest		2,155
Ending Balance	6,370,996	6,103,362
Preferred Stock [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	9	9
Ending Balance	9	9
Common Stock [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	1,152	1,151
Issuance and registration of common shares	11
Shares issued in exchange for redeemable stock	4
Ending Balance	1,167	1,151
Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	7,202,834	7,230,956
Issuance and registration of common shares	203,886	21
Shares repurchased and retired	(1,920)	(3,162)
Exercise of stock options		28
Shares issued in exchange for common units	479	193
Shares issued in exchange for redeemable stock	577
Adjustment for noncontrolling interests in Operating Partnership	(3,928)	953
Amortization of unearned compensation	6,379	6,928
Acquisition of noncontrolling interest		(37,443)
Ending Balance	7,408,307	7,198,474
Accumulated Distributions in Excess of Net Income [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	(1,188,854)	(1,255,807)
Net income attributable to MAA	135,910	110,802
Redeemable stock fair market value adjustment	793	2,533
Dividends, Preferred Stock, Cash	(922)	(922)
Dividends on common stock	(163,252)	(125,433)
Ending Balance	(1,216,325)	(1,268,827)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	(10,052)	(11,132)
Other comprehensive income - derivative instruments	261	272
Ending Balance	(9,791)	(10,860)
Noncontrolling Interests - Operating Partnership [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	163,595	165,116
Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	3,664	3,068
Other comprehensive income - derivative instruments	17	7
Shares issued in exchange for common units	(479)	(193)
Adjustment for noncontrolling interests in Operating Partnership	3,928	(953)
Dividends on noncontrolling interest units	(4,416)	(3,479)
Ending Balance	166,309	163,566
Noncontrolling Interests - Consolidated Real Estate Entities [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	21,064	23,614
Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest		(293)
Acquisition of noncontrolling interest		(5,627)
Distribution to noncontrolling interest	256
Contribution from noncontrolling interest		2,155
Ending Balance	$ 21,320	$ 19,849