Segment Information - Revenues and NOI for Reportable Segment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2023	Sep. 30, 2022	Sep. 30, 2023	Sep. 30, 2022
Segment Information
Total operating revenues	$ 542,042	$ 520,783	$ 1,606,221	$ 1,491,901
Net Operating Income	342,819	329,360	1,029,862	949,381
Depreciation and amortization	(146,702)	(136,879)	(424,175)	(404,761)
Property management expenses	(16,298)	(16,262)	(50,317)	(48,429)
General and administrative expenses	(13,524)	(12,188)	(43,329)	(44,091)
Interest expense	(36,651)	(38,637)	(110,655)	(116,663)
(Loss) gain on sale of depreciable real estate assets	(75)	(1)	(61)	131,963
Gain on sale of non-depreciable real estate assets	0	431	54	809
Other non-operating expense (income)	(16,493)	(1,718)	3,966	(19,248)
Income tax benefit (expense)	209	1,256	(3,596)	5,750
Gain (loss) from real estate joint ventures	447	341	1,214	1,129
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	(3,000)	(3,392)	(10,633)	(12,025)
Dividends to MAA Series I preferred shareholders	(922)	(922)	(2,766)	(2,766)
Net income available for MAA common shareholders	109,810	121,389	389,564	441,049
Same Store [Member]
Segment Information
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Including Assessed Tax	508,046	487,729	1,507,259	1,399,445
Other operating income expense net	2,833	3,122	9,135	9,534
Total operating revenues	510,879	490,851	1,516,394	1,408,979
Net Operating Income	324,745	313,111	977,120	903,435
Non-Same Store and Other [Member]
Segment Information
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Including Assessed Tax	30,985	28,764	89,265	81,295
Other operating income expense net	178	1,168	562	1,627
Total operating revenues	31,163	29,932	89,827	82,922
Net Operating Income	$ 18,074	$ 16,249	$ 52,742	$ 45,946