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		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2023	Jun. 30, 2022	Jun. 30, 2023	Jun. 30, 2022
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	$ 6,370,996	$ 6,103,362	$ 6,189,748	$ 6,153,907
Net Income Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	149,657	216,560	289,231	330,137
Other comprehensive income - derivative instruments	278	277	556	556
Issuance and registration of common shares	(841)	(453)	203,056	(432)
Shares repurchased and retired	(5,920)	(10,869)	(7,840)	(14,031)
Exercise of stock options				28
Shares issued in exchange for redeemable stock			581
Redeemable stock fair market value adjustment	(129)	4,227	664	6,760
Amortization of unearned compensation	3,792	4,401	10,171	11,329
Dividends, Preferred Stock, Cash	(922)	(922)	(1,844)	(1,844)
Dividends on common stock	(163,430)	(144,396)	(326,682)	(269,829)
Dividends on noncontrolling interest units	(4,418)	(4,002)	(8,834)	(7,481)
Acquisition of noncontrolling interest				(43,070)
Distribution to noncontrolling interest		69
Contribution from noncontrolling interest	1,009		1,265	2,086
Ending Balance	6,350,072	6,168,116	6,350,072	6,168,116
Preferred Stock [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	9	9	9	9
Ending Balance	9	9	9	9
Common Stock [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	1,167	1,151	1,152	1,151
Issuance and registration of common shares	1	1	12	1
Shares issued in exchange for redeemable stock			4
Ending Balance	1,168	1,152	1,168	1,152
Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	7,408,307	7,198,474	7,202,834	7,230,956
Issuance and registration of common shares	(842)	(454)	203,044	(433)
Shares repurchased and retired	(5,920)	(10,869)	(7,840)	(14,031)
Exercise of stock options				28
Shares issued in exchange for common units	52		531	193
Shares issued in exchange for redeemable stock			577
Adjustment for noncontrolling interests in Operating Partnership	183	368	(3,745)	1,321
Amortization of unearned compensation	3,792	4,401	10,171	11,329
Acquisition of noncontrolling interest				(37,443)
Ending Balance	7,405,572	7,191,920	7,405,572	7,191,920
Accumulated Distributions in Excess of Net Income [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	(1,216,325)	(1,268,827)	(1,188,854)	(1,255,807)
Net income attributable to MAA	145,688	210,702	281,598	321,504
Redeemable stock fair market value adjustment	(129)	4,227	664	6,760
Dividends, Preferred Stock, Cash	(922)	(922)	(1,844)	(1,844)
Dividends on common stock	(163,430)	(144,396)	(326,682)	(269,829)
Ending Balance	(1,235,118)	(1,199,216)	(1,235,118)	(1,199,216)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	(9,791)	(10,860)	(10,052)	(11,132)
Other comprehensive income - derivative instruments	277	269	538	541
Ending Balance	(9,514)	(10,591)	(9,514)	(10,591)
Noncontrolling Interests - Operating Partnership [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	166,309	163,566	163,595	165,116
Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	3,969	5,858	7,633	8,926
Other comprehensive income - derivative instruments	1	8	18	15
Shares issued in exchange for common units	(52)		(531)	(193)
Adjustment for noncontrolling interests in Operating Partnership	(183)	(368)	3,745	(1,321)
Dividends on noncontrolling interest units	(4,418)	(4,002)	(8,834)	(7,481)
Ending Balance	165,626	165,062	165,626	165,062
Noncontrolling Interests - Consolidated Real Estate Entities [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	21,320	19,849	21,064	23,614
Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest		0		(293)
Acquisition of noncontrolling interest				(5,627)
Distribution to noncontrolling interest		69
Contribution from noncontrolling interest	1,009		1,265	2,086
Ending Balance	$ 22,329	$ 19,780	$ 22,329	$ 19,780