Exhibit 23.1

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement (Form S-8) of Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc. pertaining to the Amended and Restated Post Properties, Inc. 2003 Incentive Stock Plan of our reports dated February 25, 2016, with respect to the consolidated financial statements and schedule of Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc., and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting of Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc., included in Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc.’s and Mid-America Apartments, L.P.’s Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2015, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Memphis, Tennessee

December 8, 2016