Segment Information - Revenues and NOI for Reportable Segment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019
Segment Information
Total operating revenues	$ 413,026	$ 407,390	$ 831,124	$ 808,568
Net Operating Income	255,555	253,248	520,481	505,049
Depreciation and amortization	(127,190)	(123,944)	(253,578)	(246,733)
Other Cost and Expense, Operating	(11,730)	(13,454)	(26,373)	(27,296)
General and administrative expenses	(10,557)	(10,398)	(23,821)	(22,735)
Interest expense	(42,118)	(45,936)	(85,600)	(91,636)
Gain (loss) on sale of depreciable real estate assets	2		(27)	(13)
Gain (loss) on sale of non-depreciable real estate assets	5	297	(371)	9,260
Other non-operating income (expense)	14,643	4,575	(13,889)	4,694
Income tax expense	(1,200)	(682)	(1,867)	(1,323)
Gain (loss) from real estate joint ventures	318	435	725	832
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(2,666)	(2,224)	(3,970)	(4,522)
Preferred Stock Dividends, Income Statement Impact	(922)	(922)	(1,844)	(1,844)
Net income available for MAA common shareholders	74,140	60,995	109,866	123,733
Same Store [Member]
Segment Information
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Including Assessed Tax	386,581	378,146	776,288	751,611
Other Operating Income	3,313	3,616	5,968	6,682
Total operating revenues	389,894	381,762	782,256	758,293
Net Operating Income	242,713	238,016	492,000	475,854
Non-Same Store and Other
Segment Information
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Including Assessed Tax	23,039	25,433	48,739	49,908
Other Operating Income	93	195	129	367
Total operating revenues	23,132	25,628	48,868	50,275
Net Operating Income	$ 12,842	$ 15,232	$ 28,481	$ 29,195