MAA Equity - Summary of Changes in Total Equity and its Components (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020
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	6,088,408	6,289,459
Net Income Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	48,864	37,952
Other comprehensive income (loss) - derivatives instruments (cash flow hedges)	279	253
Issuance and registration of common shares	134	39
Shares repurchased and retired	(1,730)	(1,727)
Exercise of stock options	1,466	71
Redeemable stock fair market value adjustment	(2,158)	3,111
Amortization of unearned compensation	5,993	5,289
Dividends, Preferred Stock, Cash	(922)	(922)
Dividends on common stock	(117,278)	(114,302)
Dividends on noncontrolling interest units	(4,156)	(4,059)
Contribution from noncontrolling interest	633	401
Ending Balance	6,019,533	6,215,565
Mid America Apartment Communities Inc Shareholders Equity | Preferred Stock [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	9	9
Ending Balance	9	9
Mid America Apartment Communities Inc Shareholders Equity | Common Stock [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	1,141	1,140
Issuance and registration of common shares	1
Ending Balance	1,142	1,140
Mid America Apartment Communities Inc Shareholders Equity | Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	7,176,793	7,166,073
Issuance and registration of common shares	133	39
Shares repurchased and retired	(1,730)	(1,727)
Exercise of stock options	1,466	71
Shares issued in exchange for common units	232	450
Adjustment for noncontrolling interests in Operating Partnership	(116)	(47)
Amortization of unearned compensation	5,993	5,289
Ending Balance	7,182,771	7,170,148
Mid America Apartment Communities Inc Shareholders Equity | Accumulated Distributions in Excess of Net Income [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	(1,294,182)	(1,085,479)
Net income attributable to MAA	47,193	36,648
Redeemable stock fair market value adjustment	(2,158)	3,111
Dividends, Preferred Stock, Cash	(922)	(922)
Dividends on common stock	(117,278)	(114,302)
Ending Balance	(1,367,347)	(1,160,944)
Mid America Apartment Communities Inc Shareholders Equity | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	(12,128)	(13,178)
Other comprehensive income (loss) - derivatives instruments (cash flow hedges)	269	244
Ending Balance	(11,859)	(12,934)
Mid America Apartment Communities Inc Shareholders Equity | Noncontrolling Interest Operating Partnership
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	206,927	214,647
Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	1,671	1,304
Other comprehensive income (loss) - derivatives instruments (cash flow hedges)	10	9
Shares issued in exchange for common units	(232)	(450)
Adjustment for noncontrolling interests in Operating Partnership	116	47
Dividends on noncontrolling interest units	(4,156)	(4,059)
Ending Balance	204,336	211,498
Mid America Apartment Communities Inc Shareholders Equity | Noncontrolling Interest
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	9,848	6,247
Contribution from noncontrolling interest	633	401
Ending Balance	$ 10,481	$ 6,648