Consolidated Statements of Operations - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021
Revenues:
Rental and other property revenues	$ 2,148,468	$ 2,019,866	$ 1,778,082
Expenses:
Operating expenses, excluding real estate taxes and insurance	461,540	435,108	404,288
Real estate taxes and insurance	306,601	288,586	266,877
Depreciation and amortization	565,063	542,998	533,433
Total property operating expenses	1,333,204	1,266,692	1,204,598
Property management expenses	67,784	65,463	55,732
General and administrative expenses	58,578	58,833	52,884
Interest expense	149,234	154,747	156,881
Loss (gain) on sale of depreciable real estate assets	62	(214,762)	(220,428)
Gain on sale of non-depreciable real estate assets	(54)	(809)	(811)
Other non-operating (income) expense	(31,185)	42,713	(33,902)
Income before income tax (expense) benefit	570,845	646,989	563,128
Income tax (expense) benefit	(4,744)	6,208	(13,637)
Income from continuing operations before real estate joint venture activity	566,101	653,197	549,491
Income from real estate joint venture	1,730	1,579	1,211
Net income	567,831	654,776	550,702
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	15,025	17,340	16,911
Net income available for shareholders	552,806	637,436	533,791
Dividends to MAA Series I preferred shareholders	3,688	3,688	3,688
Net income available for MAA common shareholders	$ 549,118	$ 633,748	$ 530,103
Earnings per common share - basic:
Net income available for MAA common shareholders	$ 4.71	$ 5.49	$ 4.62
Earnings per common share - diluted:
Net income available for MAA common shareholders	$ 4.71	$ 5.48	$ 4.61
Limited Partner [Member]
Revenues:
Rental and other property revenues	$ 2,148,468	$ 2,019,866	$ 1,778,082
Expenses:
Operating expenses, excluding real estate taxes and insurance	461,540	435,108	404,288
Real estate taxes and insurance	306,601	288,586	266,877
Depreciation and amortization	565,063	542,998	533,433
Total property operating expenses	1,333,204	1,266,692	1,204,598
Property management expenses	67,784	65,463	55,732
General and administrative expenses	58,578	58,833	52,884
Interest expense	149,234	154,747	156,881
Loss (gain) on sale of depreciable real estate assets	62	(214,762)	(220,428)
Gain on sale of non-depreciable real estate assets	(54)	(809)	(811)
Other non-operating (income) expense	(31,185)	42,713	(33,902)
Income before income tax (expense) benefit	570,845	646,989	563,128
Income tax (expense) benefit	(4,744)	6,208	(13,637)
Income from continuing operations before real estate joint venture activity	566,101	653,197	549,491
Income from real estate joint venture	1,730	1,579	1,211
Net income	567,831	654,776	550,702
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	62	(293)	0
Net income available for shareholders	567,769	655,069	550,702
Dividends to MAA Series I preferred shareholders	3,688	3,688	3,688
Net income available for MAA common shareholders	$ 564,081	$ 651,381	$ 547,014
Earnings per common share - basic:
Net income available for MAALP common unitholders	$ 4.71	$ 5.49	$ 4.62
Earnings per common share - diluted:
Net income available for MAALP common unitholders	$ 4.71	$ 5.48	$ 4.61