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		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2024	Sep. 30, 2023	Sep. 30, 2024	Sep. 30, 2023
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	$ 6,186,232	$ 6,350,072	$ 6,279,955	$ 6,189,748
Net Income Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	118,230	113,732	370,502	402,963
Other comprehensive income - derivative instruments	428	279	1,448	835
Issuance and registration of common shares	8	158	(789)	203,214
Shares repurchased and retired		(26)	(4,974)	(7,866)
Shares issued in exchange for redeemable stock			2,069	581
Redeemable stock fair market value adjustment	(2,282)	3,242	(3,325)	3,906
Amortization of unearned compensation	3,539	4,128	13,869	14,299
Dividends, Preferred Stock, Cash	(922)	(922)	(2,766)	(2,766)
Dividends on common stock	(171,814)	(163,362)	(515,359)	(490,044)
Distributions on noncontrolling interests units	(4,521)	(4,408)	(13,638)	(13,242)
Contribution from noncontrolling interest	2,696	696	4,602	1,961
Ending Balance	6,131,594	6,303,589	6,131,594	6,303,589
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	1,166	1,168	1,168	1,152
Issuance and registration of common shares	0	0	2	12
Shares repurchased and retired			(1)
Shares issued in exchange for common units	0		1
Shares issued in exchange for redeemable stock			(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	7,409,258	7,405,572	7,399,921	7,202,834
Issuance and registration of common shares	8	158	(791)	203,202
Shares repurchased and retired		(26)	(4,973)	(7,866)
Shares issued in exchange for common units	926	363	3,528	894
Shares issued in exchange for redeemable stock			2,073	577
Adjustment for noncontrolling interests in Operating Partnership	(57)	(86)	47	(3,831)
Amortization of unearned compensation	3,539	4,128	13,869	14,299
Ending Balance	7,413,674	7,410,109	7,413,674	7,410,109
Accumulated Distributions in Excess of Net Income [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	(1,398,993)	(1,235,118)	(1,298,263)	(1,188,854)
Net income attributable to MAA	115,195	110,732	360,897	392,330
Redeemable stock fair market value adjustment	(2,282)	3,242	(3,325)	3,906
Dividends, Preferred Stock, Cash	(922)	(922)	(2,766)	(2,766)
Dividends on common stock	(171,814)	(163,362)	(515,359)	(490,044)
Ending Balance	(1,458,816)	(1,285,428)	(1,458,816)	(1,285,428)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	(7,775)	(9,514)	(8,764)	(10,052)
Other comprehensive income - derivative instruments	416	270	1,405	808
Ending Balance	(7,359)	(9,244)	(7,359)	(9,244)
Noncontrolling Interests - Operating Partnership [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	157,905	165,626	163,128	163,595
Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	3,035	3,000	9,605	10,633
Other comprehensive income - derivative instruments	12	9	43	27
Shares issued in exchange for common units	(926)	(363)	(3,529)	(894)
Adjustment for noncontrolling interests in Operating Partnership	57	86	(47)	3,831
Distributions on noncontrolling interests units	(4,521)	(4,408)	(13,638)	(13,242)
Ending Balance	155,562	163,950	155,562	163,950
Noncontrolling Interests - Consolidated Real Estate Entities [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	24,662	22,329	22,756	21,064
Contribution from noncontrolling interest	2,696	696	4,602	1,961
Ending Balance	$ 27,358	$ 23,025	$ 27,358	$ 23,025