Segment Information - Property Revenues, Property Operating Expenses and NOI for Reportable Segment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2024	Dec. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022
Segment Information
Total operating revenues	$ 2,191,015	$ 2,148,468	$ 2,019,866
Total property operating expenses, excluding depreciation and amortization	820,092	768,141	723,694
Net Operating Income	1,370,923	1,380,327	1,296,172
Depreciation and amortization	(585,616)	(565,063)	(542,998)
Property management expenses	(72,040)	(67,784)	(65,463)
General and administrative expenses	(56,516)	(58,578)	(58,833)
Interest expense	(168,544)	(149,234)	(154,747)
Gain (loss) on sale of depreciable real estate assets	55,003	(62)	214,762
Gain on sale of non-depreciable real estate assets	0	54	809
Other non-operating income (expense)	1,655	31,185	(42,713)
Income tax (expense) benefit	(5,240)	(4,744)	6,208
Income from real estate joint venture	1,951	1,730	1,579
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(14,033)	(15,025)	(17,340)
Dividends to MAA Series I preferred shareholders	(3,688)	(3,688)	(3,688)
Net income available for MAA common shareholders	523,855	549,118	633,748
Same Store [Member]
Segment Information
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Including Assessed Tax	2,072,467	2,063,344	1,895,071
Other operating income expense net	12,369	11,752	11,932
Total operating revenues	2,084,836	2,075,096	1,907,003
Total property operating expenses, excluding depreciation and amortization	763,659	735,286	674,110
Real estate taxes	270,584	265,296	244,476
Personnel	165,249	157,656	146,319
Utilities	135,810	131,197	122,563
Building repair & maintenance	97,590	95,955	85,350
Office operations	34,922	30,366	27,337
Insurance	33,088	30,713	26,031
Marketing	26,416	24,103	22,034
Net Operating Income	1,321,177	1,339,810	1,232,893
Non-Same Store and Other [Member]
Segment Information
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Including Assessed Tax	104,151	72,874	111,067
Other operating income expense net	2,028	498	1,796
Total operating revenues	106,179	73,372	112,863
Total property operating expenses, excluding depreciation and amortization	56,433	32,855	49,584
Net Operating Income	$ 49,746	$ 40,517	$ 63,279