Segment Information - Revenues and NOI for Reportable Segment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2023	Jun. 30, 2022	Jun. 30, 2023	Jun. 30, 2022
Segment Information
Total operating revenues	$ 535,146	$ 495,040	$ 1,064,179	$ 971,118
Net Operating Income	340,813	313,363	687,043	620,021
Depreciation and amortization	(138,972)	(134,144)	(277,473)	(267,882)
Property management expenses	(16,091)	(15,630)	(34,019)	(32,167)
General and administrative expenses	(13,882)	(15,580)	(29,805)	(31,903)
Interest expense	(36,723)	(38,905)	(74,004)	(78,026)
(Loss) gain on sale of depreciable real estate assets	(1)	131,965	14	131,964
Gain on sale of non-depreciable real estate assets	0	355	54	378
Other non-operating income (expense)	16,992	(28,325)	20,459	(17,530)
Income tax (expense) benefit	(2,861)	3,052	(3,805)	4,494
Gain (loss) from real estate joint ventures	382	409	767	788
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	(3,969)	(5,858)	(7,633)	(8,633)
Distributions to MAALP Series I preferred unitholders	(922)	(922)	(1,844)	(1,844)
Net income available for MAA common shareholders	144,766	209,780	279,754	319,660
Same Store [Member]
Segment Information
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Including Assessed Tax	501,963	464,117	999,213	911,716
Other operating income expense net	3,542	3,688	6,302	6,412
Total operating revenues	505,505	467,805	1,005,515	918,128
Net Operating Income	323,435	297,888	652,375	590,324
Non-Same Store and Other [Member]
Segment Information
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Including Assessed Tax	29,437	27,015	58,280	52,531
Other operating income expense net	204	220	384	459
Total operating revenues	29,641	27,235	58,664	52,990
Net Operating Income	$ 17,378	$ 15,475	$ 34,668	$ 29,697