Equity (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Changes in equity
Beginning Balance			$ 8,599,727,000
Net income attributable to common stockholders	158,086,000	36,218,000	299,825,000	111,648,000
Cash flow hedge loss reclassified to earnings	1,438,000	1,574,000	3,011,000	2,965,000
Change in redemption value of redeemable noncontrolling interest			626,000
Noncontrolling interests income allocation			14,221,000
Noncontrolling interests derecognition			(17,816,000)
Dividends declared to common stockholders			(302,412,000)
Issuance of common stock, net of withholdings			209,175,000
Amortization of deferred compensation			15,175,000
Ending Balance	8,821,532,000		8,821,532,000
Common stock
Changes in equity
Beginning Balance			1,294,000
Issuance of common stock, net of withholdings			17,000
Ending Balance	1,311,000		1,311,000
Additional paid-in capital
Changes in equity
Beginning Balance			8,988,723,000
Issuance of common stock, net of withholdings			209,535,000
Amortization of deferred compensation			15,175,000
Ending Balance	9,213,433,000		9,213,433,000
Accumulated earnings less dividends
Changes in equity
Beginning Balance			(345,254,000)
Net income attributable to common stockholders			299,825,000
Change in redemption value of redeemable noncontrolling interest			626,000
Dividends declared to common stockholders			(302,412,000)
Issuance of common stock, net of withholdings			(377,000)
Ending Balance	(347,592,000)		(347,592,000)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
Changes in equity
Beginning Balance			(48,631,000)
Cash flow hedge loss reclassified to earnings			3,011,000
Ending Balance	(45,620,000)		(45,620,000)
Total AvalonBay stockholders' equity
Changes in equity
Beginning Balance			8,596,132,000
Net income attributable to common stockholders			299,825,000
Cash flow hedge loss reclassified to earnings			3,011,000
Change in redemption value of redeemable noncontrolling interest			626,000
Dividends declared to common stockholders			(302,412,000)
Issuance of common stock, net of withholdings			209,175,000
Amortization of deferred compensation			15,175,000
Ending Balance	8,821,532,000		8,821,532,000
Noncontrolling interests
Changes in equity
Beginning Balance			3,595,000
Noncontrolling interests income allocation			14,221,000
Ending Balance	$ 0		$ 0