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, 2024	Mar. 31, 2023
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	$ 6,279,955	$ 6,189,748
Net Income Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	147,610	139,574
Other comprehensive income - derivative instruments	517	278
Issuance and registration of common shares	93	203,897
Shares repurchased and retired	(842)	(1,920)
Shares issued in exchange for common units	0
Shares issued in exchange for redeemable stock		581
Redeemable stock fair market value adjustment	402	793
Amortization of unearned compensation	6,525	6,379
Dividends, Preferred Stock, Cash	(922)	(922)
Dividends on common stock	(171,620)	(163,252)
Dividends on noncontrolling interest units	(4,604)	(4,416)
Contribution from noncontrolling interest	276	256
Ending Balance	6,257,390	6,370,996
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	1,168	1,152
Issuance and registration of common shares		11
Shares issued in exchange for redeemable stock		4
Ending Balance	1,168	1,167
Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	7,399,921	7,202,834
Issuance and registration of common shares	93	203,886
Shares repurchased and retired	(842)	(1,920)
Shares issued in exchange for common units	594	479
Shares issued in exchange for redeemable stock		577
Adjustment for noncontrolling interests in Operating Partnership	(102)	(3,928)
Amortization of unearned compensation	6,525	6,379
Ending Balance	7,406,189	7,408,307
Accumulated Distributions in Excess of Net Income [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	(1,298,263)	(1,188,854)
Net income attributable to MAA	143,749	135,910
Redeemable stock fair market value adjustment	402	793
Dividends, Preferred Stock, Cash	(922)	(922)
Dividends on common stock	(171,620)	(163,252)
Ending Balance	(1,326,654)	(1,216,325)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	(8,764)	(10,052)
Other comprehensive income - derivative instruments	501	261
Ending Balance	(8,263)	(9,791)
Noncontrolling Interests - Operating Partnership [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	163,128	163,595
Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	3,861	3,664
Other comprehensive income - derivative instruments	16	17
Shares issued in exchange for common units	(594)	(479)
Adjustment for noncontrolling interests in Operating Partnership	102	3,928
Dividends on noncontrolling interest units	(4,604)	(4,416)
Ending Balance	161,909	166,309
Noncontrolling Interests - Consolidated Real Estate Entities [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	22,756	21,064
Contribution from noncontrolling interest	276	256
Ending Balance	$ 23,032	$ 21,320