CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Total	Total AvalonBay stockholders' equity	Common stock	Additional paid-in capital	Accumulated earnings less dividends	Accumulated other comprehensive loss	Noncontrolling interests
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2011	$ 4,401,892	$ 4,394,741	$ 952	$ 4,652,457	$ (171,648)	$ (87,020)	$ 7,151
Beginning Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2011			95,175,677
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income attributable to common stockholders	423,869	423,869			423,869		0
Unrealized loss on cash flow hedges	(22,876)	(22,876)				(22,876)
Cash flow hedge losses reclassified to earnings	1,889	1,889				1,889
Change in redemption value of redeemable noncontrolling interest	(375)	(375)			(375)
Noncontrolling Interest, Period Increase (Decrease)	(3,573)						(3,573)
Dividends declared to common stockholders	(391,906)	(391,906)			(391,906)
Issuance of common stock, net of withholdings	2,414,775	2,414,775	192	2,416,852	(2,269)
Issuance of common stock, net of withholdings (in shares)			19,227,795
Amortization of deferred compensation	17,098	17,098		17,098
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2012	6,840,793	6,837,215	1,144	7,086,407	(142,329)	(108,007)	3,578
Ending Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2012			114,403,472
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income attributable to common stockholders	353,141	353,141			353,141
Unrealized loss on cash flow hedges	0
Cash flow hedge losses reclassified to earnings	59,376	59,376				59,376
Change in redemption value of redeemable noncontrolling interest	(1,246)	(1,246)			(1,246)
Noncontrolling Interest, Period Increase (Decrease)	1,532	1,515		1,515			17
Dividends declared to common stockholders	(553,829)	(553,829)			(553,829)
Issuance of common stock, net of withholdings	1,872,951	1,872,951	150	1,873,792	(991)
Issuance of common stock, net of withholdings (in shares)			15,013,223
Amortization of deferred compensation	27,009	27,009		27,009
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2013	8,599,727	8,596,132	1,294	8,988,723	(345,254)	(48,631)	3,595
Ending Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2013			129,416,695
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income attributable to common stockholders	683,567	683,567			683,567
Unrealized loss on cash flow hedges	(121)	(121)				(121)
Cash flow hedge losses reclassified to earnings	6,237	6,237				6,237
Change in redemption value of redeemable noncontrolling interest	3,709	3,709			3,709
Noncontrolling Interest, Period Increase (Decrease)	14,221						14,221
Noncontrolling interests derecognition	(17,816)						(17,816)
Dividends declared to common stockholders	(608,709)	(608,709)			(608,709)		0
Issuance of common stock, net of withholdings	338,814	338,814	26	339,186	(398)
Issuance of common stock, net of withholdings (in shares)			2,633,687
Amortization of deferred compensation	26,776	26,776		26,776
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2014	$ 9,046,405	$ 9,046,405	$ 1,320	$ 9,354,685	$ (267,085)	$ (42,515)	$ 0
Ending Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2014			132,050,382