Segment Information - Revenues and NOI for Reportable Segment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019
Segment Information
Total operating revenues	$ 423,199	$ 415,632	$ 1,254,323	$ 1,224,200
Net Operating Income	253,385	256,093	773,866	761,142
Depreciation and amortization	(127,679)	(124,684)	(381,257)	(371,417)
Other Cost and Expense, Operating	(12,691)	(13,899)	(39,064)	(41,195)
General and administrative expenses	(11,360)	(10,225)	(35,181)	(32,960)
Interest expense	(41,010)	(44,513)	(126,610)	(136,149)
Gain (loss) on sale of depreciable real estate assets	20	1,000	(7)	987
Gain on sale of non-depreciable real estate assets	1,366		995	9,260
Other non-operating income (expense)	242	18,800	(13,647)	23,494
Income tax expense	(665)	(1,491)	(2,532)	(2,814)
Gain (loss) from real estate joint ventures	428	378	1,153	1,210
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(2,126)	(2,814)	(6,096)	(7,336)
Preferred Stock Dividends, Income Statement Impact	(922)	(922)	(2,766)	(2,766)
Net income available for MAA common shareholders	58,988	77,723	168,854	201,456
Same Store [Member]
Segment Information
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Including Assessed Tax	394,556	386,356	1,170,844	1,137,967
Other Operating Income	3,044	3,244	9,012	9,926
Total operating revenues	397,600	389,600	1,179,856	1,147,893
Net Operating Income	238,702	241,362	730,702	717,216
Non-Same Store and Other
Segment Information
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Including Assessed Tax	25,465	25,917	74,204	75,825
Other Operating Income	134	115	263	482
Total operating revenues	25,599	26,032	74,467	76,307
Net Operating Income	$ 14,683	$ 14,731	$ 43,164	$ 43,926