MAA Equity - Summary of Changes in Total Equity and its Components (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Dividends, Preferred Stock, Cash	$ (922)	$ (922)
Mid America Apartment Communities Inc Shareholders Equity
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	6,289,459	6,372,189
Net Income Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	37,952	65,958
Other comprehensive income (loss) - derivatives instruments (cash flow hedges)	253	(3,201)
Issuance and registration of common shares	39	1,129
Shares repurchased and retired	(1,727)	(3,023)
Exercise of stock options	71	208
Redeemable stock fair market value adjustment	3,111	(1,351)
Amortization of unearned compensation	5,289	4,785
Dividends, Preferred Stock, Cash	(922)	(922)
Dividends on common stock	(114,302)	(109,392)
Dividends on noncontrolling interest units	(4,059)	(3,941)
Contribution from noncontrolling interest	401	2,860
Ending Balance	6,215,565	6,325,299
Preferred Stock [Member] | Mid America Apartment Communities Inc Shareholders Equity
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	9	9
Ending Balance	9	9
Common Stock [Member] | Mid America Apartment Communities Inc Shareholders Equity
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	1,140	1,136
Issuance and registration of common shares		1
Ending Balance	1,140	1,137
Additional Paid-in Capital [Member] | Mid America Apartment Communities Inc Shareholders Equity
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	7,166,073	7,138,170
Issuance and registration of common shares	39	1,128
Shares repurchased and retired	(1,727)	(3,023)
Exercise of stock options	71	208
Shares issued in exchange for units	450	336
Adjustment for noncontrolling interests in Operating Partnership	(47)	(60)
Amortization of unearned compensation	5,289	4,785
Ending Balance	7,170,148	7,141,544
Accumulated Distributions in Excess of Net Income [Member] | Mid America Apartment Communities Inc Shareholders Equity
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	(1,085,479)	(989,263)
Net income attributable to MAA	36,648	63,660
Redeemable stock fair market value adjustment	3,111	(1,351)
Dividends, Preferred Stock, Cash	(922)	(922)
Dividends on common stock	(114,302)	(109,392)
Ending Balance	(1,160,944)	(1,037,268)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member] | Mid America Apartment Communities Inc Shareholders Equity
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	(13,178)	(212)
Other comprehensive income (loss) - derivatives instruments (cash flow hedges)	244	(3,088)
Ending Balance	(12,934)	(3,300)
Noncontrolling Interest Operating Partnership | Mid America Apartment Communities Inc Shareholders Equity
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	214,647	220,043
Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	1,304	2,298
Other comprehensive income (loss) - derivatives instruments (cash flow hedges)	9	(113)
Shares issued in exchange for units	(450)	(336)
Adjustment for noncontrolling interests in Operating Partnership	47	60
Dividends on noncontrolling interest units	(4,059)	(3,941)
Ending Balance	211,498	218,011
Noncontrolling Interest | Mid America Apartment Communities Inc Shareholders Equity
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	6,247	2,306
Contribution from noncontrolling interest	401	2,860
Ending Balance	$ 6,648	$ 5,166