Segment Information - Revenues and NOI for Reportable Segment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020
Segment Information
Total operating revenues	$ 436,927	$ 413,026	$ 861,932	$ 831,124
Net Operating Income	268,166	255,555	530,703	520,481
Depreciation and amortization	(131,824)	(127,190)	(263,327)	(253,578)
Other Cost and Expense, Operating	(13,752)	(11,730)	(26,691)	(26,373)
General and administrative expenses	(13,114)	(10,557)	(26,093)	(23,821)
Interest expense	(38,867)	(42,118)	(78,539)	(85,600)
Gain (loss) on sale of depreciable real estate assets	134,828	2	134,828	(27)
Gain (loss) on sale of non-depreciable real estate assets	32	5	32	(371)
Other non-operating income (expense)	20,126	14,643	4,213	(13,889)
Income tax expense	(2,045)	(1,200)	(3,044)	(1,867)
Gain (loss) from real estate joint ventures	325	318	657	725
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(7,397)	(2,666)	(9,068)	(3,970)
Preferred Stock Dividends, Income Statement Impact	(922)	(922)	(1,844)	(1,844)
Net income available for MAA common shareholders	215,556	74,140	261,827	109,866
Same Store [Member]
Segment Information
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Including Assessed Tax	413,967	395,360	818,023	794,036
Other operating income expense net	3,355	3,362	6,336	6,056
Total operating revenues	417,322	398,722	824,359	800,092
Net Operating Income	257,071	248,034	509,801	503,068
Non-Same Store and Other [Member]
Segment Information
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Including Assessed Tax	19,198	14,261	36,923	30,991
Other operating income expense net	407	43	650	41
Total operating revenues	19,605	14,304	37,573	31,032
Net Operating Income	$ 11,095	$ 7,521	$ 20,902	$ 17,413