MAA Equity - Summary of Changes in Total Equity and its Components (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Dividends, Preferred Stock, Cash	$ (922)	$ (922)	$ (1,844)	$ (1,844)
Mid America Apartment Communities Inc Shareholders Equity
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	6,215,565	6,325,299	6,289,459	6,372,189
Net Income Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	77,728	64,141	115,680	130,099
Other comprehensive income (loss) - derivatives instruments (cash flow hedges)	278	(6,004)	531	(9,205)
Issuance and registration of common shares	(416)	(519)	(377)	610
Shares repurchased and retired	(3,930)	(701)	(5,657)	(3,724)
Exercise of stock options		1,032	71	1,240
Shares issued in exchange for redeemable stock		575		575
Redeemable stock fair market value adjustment	(1,297)	(835)	1,814	(2,186)
Amortization of unearned compensation	2,864	3,452	8,153	8,237
Dividends, Preferred Stock, Cash	(922)	(922)	(1,844)	(1,844)
Dividends on common stock	(114,435)	(109,557)	(228,737)	(218,949)
Dividends on noncontrolling interest units	(4,059)	(3,925)	(8,118)	(7,866)
Contribution from noncontrolling interest	201	490	602	3,350
Ending Balance	6,171,577	6,272,526	6,171,577	6,272,526
Preferred Stock [Member] | Mid America Apartment Communities Inc Shareholders Equity
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	9	9	9	9
Ending Balance	9	9	9	9
Common Stock [Member] | Mid America Apartment Communities Inc Shareholders Equity
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	1,140	1,137	1,140	1,136
Issuance and registration of common shares		1		2
Ending Balance	1,140	1,138	1,140	1,138
Additional Paid-in Capital [Member] | Mid America Apartment Communities Inc Shareholders Equity
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	7,170,148	7,141,544	7,166,073	7,138,170
Issuance and registration of common shares	(416)	(520)	(377)	608
Shares repurchased and retired	(3,930)	(701)	(5,657)	(3,724)
Exercise of stock options		1,032	71	1,240
Shares issued in exchange for units		821	450	1,157
Shares issued in exchange for redeemable stock		575		575
Adjustment for noncontrolling interests in Operating Partnership	220	(127)	173	(187)
Amortization of unearned compensation	2,864	3,452	8,153	8,237
Ending Balance	7,168,886	7,146,076	7,168,886	7,146,076
Accumulated Distributions in Excess of Net Income [Member] | Mid America Apartment Communities Inc Shareholders Equity
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	(1,160,944)	(1,037,268)	(1,085,479)	(989,263)
Net income attributable to MAA	75,062	61,917	111,710	125,577
Redeemable stock fair market value adjustment	(1,297)	(835)	1,814	(2,186)
Dividends, Preferred Stock, Cash	(922)	(922)	(1,844)	(1,844)
Dividends on common stock	(114,435)	(109,557)	(228,737)	(218,949)
Ending Balance	(1,202,536)	(1,086,665)	(1,202,536)	(1,086,665)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member] | Mid America Apartment Communities Inc Shareholders Equity
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	(12,934)	(3,300)	(13,178)	(212)
Other comprehensive income (loss) - derivatives instruments (cash flow hedges)	269	(5,792)	513	(8,880)
Ending Balance	(12,665)	(9,092)	(12,665)	(9,092)
Noncontrolling Interest Operating Partnership | Mid America Apartment Communities Inc Shareholders Equity
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	211,498	218,011	214,647	220,043
Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	2,666	2,224	3,970	4,522
Other comprehensive income (loss) - derivatives instruments (cash flow hedges)	9	(212)	18	(325)
Shares issued in exchange for units		(821)	(450)	(1,157)
Adjustment for noncontrolling interests in Operating Partnership	(220)	127	(173)	187
Dividends on noncontrolling interest units	(4,059)	(3,925)	(8,118)	(7,866)
Ending Balance	209,894	215,404	209,894	215,404
Noncontrolling Interest | Mid America Apartment Communities Inc Shareholders Equity
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	6,648	5,166	6,247	2,306
Contribution from noncontrolling interest	201	490	602	3,350
Ending Balance	$ 6,849	$ 5,656	$ 6,849	$ 5,656