Earnings Per OP Unit of MAALP - Schedule of Diluted Earnings per Common Unit (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020
Earnings Per Share Disclosure [Line Items]
Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	$ 223,875	$ 77,728	$ 272,739	$ 115,680
Dividends, Preferred Stock, Cash	(922)	(922)	(1,844)	(1,844)
Income from continuing operations available for common shareholders, adjusted	$ 215,322	$ 74,040	$ 261,533	$ 109,715
Earnings per share - basic	$ 1.88	$ 0.65	$ 2.29	$ 0.96
Net income available for MAA common shareholders, adjusted	$ 215,556	$ 74,140	$ 261,827	$ 109,866
Effect of dilutive securities	318,000	234,000	311,000	324,000
Weighted average common shares - diluted	114,812,000	114,438,000	114,690,000	114,482,000
Earnings per common share - diluted	$ 1.88	$ 0.65	$ 2.28	$ 0.96
Limited Partner [Member]
Earnings Per Share Disclosure [Line Items]
Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	$ 223,875	$ 77,728	$ 272,739	$ 115,680
Income from continuing operations allocated to unvested restricted shares	(234)	(100)	(294)	(151)
Dividends, Preferred Stock, Cash	(922)	(922)	(1,844)	(1,844)
Income from continuing operations available for common shareholders, adjusted	$ 222,719	$ 76,706	$ 270,601	$ 113,685
Weighted average common units - basic	118,411	118,263	118,365	118,220
Earnings per share - basic	$ 1.88	$ 0.65	$ 2.29	$ 0.96
Net income available for MAA common shareholders, adjusted	$ 222,953	$ 76,806	$ 270,895	$ 113,836
Effect of dilutive securities	318	234	311	324
Weighted average common shares - diluted	118,729	118,497	118,676	118,544
Earnings per common share - diluted	$ 1.88	$ 0.65	$ 2.28	$ 0.96