Segment Information - Property Revenues, Property Operating Expenses and NOI for Reportable Segment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2025	Dec. 31, 2024	Dec. 31, 2023
Segment Information
Total operating revenues	$ 2,209,126	$ 2,191,015	$ 2,148,468
Total property operating expenses, excluding depreciation and amortization	837,807	820,092	768,141
Net Operating Income	1,371,319	1,370,923	1,380,327
Depreciation and amortization	(622,295)	(585,616)	(565,063)
Property management expenses	(74,779)	(72,040)	(67,784)
General and administrative expenses	(54,807)	(56,516)	(58,578)
Interest expense	(185,257)	(168,544)	(149,234)
Gain (loss) on sale of depreciable real estate assets	72,066	55,003	(62)
Gain on sale of non-depreciable real estate assets	0	0	54
Other non-operating (expense) income	(47,161)	1,655	31,185
Income tax expense	(4,595)	(5,240)	(4,744)
Income from real estate joint venture	2,075	1,951	1,730
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(9,657)	(14,033)	(15,025)
Dividends to MAA Series I preferred shareholders	(3,688)	(3,688)	(3,688)
Net income available for MAA common shareholders	443,221	523,855	549,118
Same Store [Member]
Segment Information
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Including Assessed Tax	2,062,887	2,067,665	2,063,344
Other operating income expense net	14,275	12,362	11,752
Total operating revenues	2,077,162	2,080,027	2,075,096
Total property operating expenses, excluding depreciation and amortization	772,898	757,841	735,286
Real estate taxes	266,588	268,746	265,296
Personnel	171,123	163,923	157,656
Utilities	139,489	134,181	131,197
Building repair and maintenance	99,574	97,045	95,955
Office operations	35,594	34,560	30,366
Insurance	32,471	32,858	30,713
Marketing	28,059	26,528	24,103
Net Operating Income	1,304,264	1,322,186	1,339,810
Non-Same Store and Other [Member]
Segment Information
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Including Assessed Tax	130,464	108,952	72,874
Other operating income expense net	1,500	2,036	498
Total operating revenues	131,964	110,988	73,372
Total property operating expenses, excluding depreciation and amortization	64,909	62,251	32,855
Net Operating Income	$ 67,055	$ 48,737	$ 40,517