Segment Information - Revenues and NOI for Reportable Segment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2024	Sep. 30, 2023	Sep. 30, 2024	Sep. 30, 2023
Segment Information
Total operating revenues	$ 551,126	$ 542,042	$ 1,641,183	$ 1,606,221
Net Operating Income	339,565	342,819	1,026,024	1,029,862
Depreciation and amortization	(146,722)	(146,702)	(434,764)	(424,175)
Property management expenses	(17,265)	(16,298)	(54,461)	(50,317)
General and administrative expenses	(12,728)	(13,524)	(42,444)	(43,329)
Interest expense	(42,726)	(36,651)	(124,352)	(110,655)
Loss on sale of depreciable real estate assets	0	(75)	(25)	(61)
Gain on sale of non-depreciable real estate assets	0	0	0	54
Other non-operating (expense) income	(1,678)	(16,493)	2,604	3,966
Income tax (expense) benefit	(670)	209	(3,485)	(3,596)
Income from real estate joint venture	454	447	1,405	1,214
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(3,035)	(3,000)	(9,605)	(10,633)
Dividends to MAA Series I preferred shareholders	(922)	(922)	(2,766)	(2,766)
Net income available for MAA common shareholders	114,273	109,810	358,131	389,564
Same Store [Member]
Segment Information
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Including Assessed Tax	520,166	520,617	1,555,346	1,544,581
Other operating income expense net	3,367	2,893	9,356	9,346
Total operating revenues	523,533	523,510	1,564,702	1,553,927
Net Operating Income	327,267	332,973	990,130	1,001,513
Non-Same Store and Other [Member]
Segment Information
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Including Assessed Tax	27,213	18,414	74,640	51,943
Other operating income expense net	380	118	1,841	351
Total operating revenues	27,593	18,532	76,481	52,294
Net Operating Income	$ 12,298	$ 9,846	$ 35,894	$ 28,349