MAA Equity - Summary of Changes in Total Equity and its Components (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Dividends, Preferred Stock, Cash	$ (922)	$ (922)	$ (1,844)	$ (1,844)
Mid America Apartment Communities Inc. Shareholders Equity [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	6,019,533	6,215,565	6,088,408	6,289,459
Net Income Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	223,875	77,728	272,739	115,680
Other comprehensive income (loss) - derivatives instruments (cash flow hedges)	278	278	557	531
Issuance and registration of common shares	(467)	(416)	(333)	(377)
Shares repurchased and retired	(7,313)	(3,930)	(9,043)	(5,657)
Exercise of stock options			1,466	71
Redeemable stock fair market value adjustment	(3,031)	(1,297)	(5,189)	1,814
Amortization of unearned compensation	4,151	2,864	10,144	8,153
Dividends, Preferred Stock, Cash	(922)	(922)	(1,844)	(1,844)
Dividends on common stock	(117,872)	(114,435)	(235,150)	(228,737)
Dividends on noncontrolling interest units	(3,696)	(4,059)	(7,852)	(8,118)
Contribution from noncontrolling interest	6,131	201	6,764	602
Ending Balance	6,120,667	6,171,577	6,120,667	6,171,577
Mid America Apartment Communities Inc. Shareholders Equity [Member] | Preferred Stock [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	9	9	9	9
Ending Balance	9	9	9	9
Mid America Apartment Communities Inc. Shareholders Equity [Member] | Common Stock [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	1,142	1,140	1,141	1,140
Issuance and registration of common shares	1		2
Shares issued in exchange for common units	4		4
Ending Balance	1,147	1,140	1,147	1,140
Mid America Apartment Communities Inc. Shareholders Equity [Member] | Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	7,182,771	7,170,148	7,176,793	7,166,073
Issuance and registration of common shares	(468)	(416)	(335)	(377)
Shares repurchased and retired	(7,313)	(3,930)	(9,043)	(5,657)
Exercise of stock options			1,466	71
Shares issued in exchange for common units	21,928		22,160	450
Adjustment for noncontrolling interests in Operating Partnership	816	220	700	173
Amortization of unearned compensation	4,151	2,864	10,144	8,153
Ending Balance	7,201,885	7,168,886	7,201,885	7,168,886
Mid America Apartment Communities Inc. Shareholders Equity [Member] | Accumulated Distributions in Excess of Net Income [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	(1,367,347)	(1,160,944)	(1,294,182)	(1,085,479)
Net income attributable to MAA	216,478	75,062	263,671	111,710
Redeemable stock fair market value adjustment	(3,031)	(1,297)	(5,189)	1,814
Dividends, Preferred Stock, Cash	(922)	(922)	(1,844)	(1,844)
Dividends on common stock	(117,872)	(114,435)	(235,150)	(228,737)
Ending Balance	(1,272,694)	(1,202,536)	(1,272,694)	(1,202,536)
Mid America Apartment Communities Inc. Shareholders Equity [Member] | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	(11,859)	(12,934)	(12,128)	(13,178)
Other comprehensive income (loss) - derivatives instruments (cash flow hedges)	227	269	496	513
Ending Balance	(11,632)	(12,665)	(11,632)	(12,665)
Mid America Apartment Communities Inc. Shareholders Equity [Member] | Noncontrolling Interests - Operating Partnership [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	204,336	211,498	206,927	214,647
Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	7,397	2,666	9,068	3,970
Other comprehensive income (loss) - derivatives instruments (cash flow hedges)	51	9	61	18
Shares issued in exchange for common units	(21,932)		(22,164)	(450)
Adjustment for noncontrolling interests in Operating Partnership	(816)	(220)	(700)	(173)
Dividends on noncontrolling interest units	(3,696)	(4,059)	(7,852)	(8,118)
Ending Balance	185,340	209,894	185,340	209,894
Mid America Apartment Communities Inc. Shareholders Equity [Member] | Noncontrolling Interests - Consolidated Real Estate Entities [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	10,481	6,648	9,848	6,247
Contribution from noncontrolling interest	6,131	201	6,764	602
Ending Balance	$ 16,612	$ 6,849	$ 16,612	$ 6,849