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, 2024	Jun. 30, 2023	Jun. 30, 2024	Jun. 30, 2023
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	$ 6,257,390	$ 6,370,996	$ 6,279,955	$ 6,189,748
Net Income Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	104,662	149,657	252,272	289,231
Other comprehensive income - derivative instruments	503	278	1,020	556
Issuance and registration of common shares	(890)	(841)	(797)	203,056
Shares repurchased and retired	(4,132)	(5,920)	(4,974)	(7,840)
Shares issued in exchange for redeemable stock	2,069		2,069	581
Redeemable stock fair market value adjustment	(1,445)	(129)	(1,043)	664
Amortization of unearned compensation	3,805	3,792	10,330	10,171
Dividends, Preferred Stock, Cash	(922)	(922)	(1,844)	(1,844)
Dividends on common stock	(171,925)	(163,430)	(343,545)	(326,682)
Distributions on noncontrolling interests units	(4,513)	(4,418)	(9,117)	(8,834)
Contribution from noncontrolling interest	1,630	1,009	1,906	1,265
Ending Balance	6,186,232	6,350,072	6,186,232	6,350,072
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	1,168	1,167	1,168	1,152
Issuance and registration of common shares	2	1	2	12
Shares repurchased and retired	(1)		(1)
Shares issued in exchange for common units	1		1
Shares issued in exchange for redeemable stock	(4)		(4)	4
Ending Balance	1,166	1,168	1,166	1,168
Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	7,406,189	7,408,307	7,399,921	7,202,834
Issuance and registration of common shares	(892)	(842)	(799)	203,044
Shares repurchased and retired	(4,131)	(5,920)	(4,973)	(7,840)
Shares issued in exchange for common units	2,008	52	2,602	531
Shares issued in exchange for redeemable stock	2,073		2,073	577
Adjustment for noncontrolling interests in Operating Partnership	206	183	104	(3,745)
Amortization of unearned compensation	3,805	3,792	10,330	10,171
Ending Balance	7,409,258	7,405,572	7,409,258	7,405,572
Accumulated Distributions in Excess of Net Income [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	(1,326,654)	(1,216,325)	(1,298,263)	(1,188,854)
Net income attributable to MAA	101,953	145,688	245,702	281,598
Redeemable stock fair market value adjustment	(1,445)	(129)	(1,043)	664
Dividends, Preferred Stock, Cash	(922)	(922)	(1,844)	(1,844)
Dividends on common stock	(171,925)	(163,430)	(343,545)	(326,682)
Ending Balance	(1,398,993)	(1,235,118)	(1,398,993)	(1,235,118)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	(8,263)	(9,791)	(8,764)	(10,052)
Other comprehensive income - derivative instruments	488	277	989	538
Ending Balance	(7,775)	(9,514)	(7,775)	(9,514)
Noncontrolling Interests - Operating Partnership [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	161,909	166,309	163,128	163,595
Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	2,709	3,969	6,570	7,633
Other comprehensive income - derivative instruments	15	1	31	18
Shares issued in exchange for common units	(2,009)	(52)	(2,603)	(531)
Adjustment for noncontrolling interests in Operating Partnership	(206)	(183)	(104)	3,745
Distributions on noncontrolling interests units	(4,513)	(4,418)	(9,117)	(8,834)
Ending Balance	157,905	165,626	157,905	165,626
Noncontrolling Interests - Consolidated Real Estate Entities [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	23,032	21,320	22,756	21,064
Contribution from noncontrolling interest	1,630	1,009	1,906	1,265
Ending Balance	$ 24,662	$ 22,329	$ 24,662	$ 22,329