MAA Equity - Summary of Changes in Total Equity and its Components (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Dividends, Preferred Stock, Cash	$ (922)	$ (922)	$ (2,766)	$ (2,766)
Mid America Apartment Communities Inc Shareholders Equity
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	6,272,526	6,479,480	6,372,189	6,573,894
Net Income Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	81,459	54,704	211,558	167,505
Other comprehensive (loss) income - derivatives instruments (cash flow hedges)	(5,973)	3,697	(15,178)	9,501
Issuance and registration of common shares	140	(35)	750	(271)
Shares repurchased and retired			(3,724)	(2,912)
Exercise of stock options	(204)	291	1,036	916
Shares issued in exchange for redeemable stock			575	1,915
Redeemable stock fair market value adjustment	(1,269)	48	(3,455)	121
Amortization of unearned compensation	3,313	2,890	11,550	9,877
Dividends, Preferred Stock, Cash	(922)	(922)	(2,766)	(2,766)
Dividends on common stock	(109,503)	(105,018)	(328,452)	(315,012)
Dividends on noncontrolling interest units	(3,912)	(3,581)	(11,778)	(11,214)
Contribution from noncontrolling interest	955		4,305
Ending Balance	6,236,610	6,431,554	6,236,610	6,431,554
Preferred Stock [Member] \| Mid America Apartment Communities Inc Shareholders Equity
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	9	9	9	9
Ending Balance	9	9	9	9
Common Stock [Member] \| Mid America Apartment Communities Inc Shareholders Equity
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	1,138	1,136	1,136	1,134
Issuance and registration of common shares			2	1
Shares issued in exchange for units				1
Ending Balance	1,138	1,136	1,138	1,136
Additional Paid-in Capital [Member] \| Mid America Apartment Communities Inc Shareholders Equity
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	7,146,076	7,130,902	7,138,170	7,121,112
Issuance and registration of common shares	140	(35)	748	(272)
Shares repurchased and retired			(3,724)	(2,912)
Exercise of stock options	(204)	291	1,036	916
Shares issued in exchange for units	836		1,993	4,282
Shares issued in exchange for redeemable stock		1,165	575	1,915
Adjustment for noncontrolling interests in Operating Partnership	(272)	266	(459)	561
Amortization of unearned compensation	3,313	2,890	11,550	9,877
Ending Balance	7,149,889	7,135,479	7,149,889	7,135,479
Accumulated Distributions in Excess of Net Income [Member] \| Mid America Apartment Communities Inc Shareholders Equity
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	(1,086,665)	(887,672)	(989,263)	(784,500)
Net income attributable to MAA	78,645	52,791	204,222	161,617
Redeemable stock fair market value adjustment	(1,269)	48	(3,455)	121
New Accounting Pronouncement or Change in Accounting Principle, Effect of Adoption, Quantification				(233)
Dividends, Preferred Stock, Cash	(922)	(922)	(2,766)	(2,766)
Dividends on common stock	(109,503)	(105,018)	(328,452)	(315,012)
Ending Balance	(1,119,714)	(940,773)	(1,119,714)	(940,773)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member] \| Mid America Apartment Communities Inc Shareholders Equity
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	(9,092)	7,986	(212)	2,157
Other comprehensive (loss) income - derivatives instruments (cash flow hedges)	(5,778)	3,570	(14,658)	9,166
New Accounting Pronouncement or Change in Accounting Principle, Effect of Adoption, Quantification				233
Ending Balance	(14,870)	11,556	(14,870)	11,556
Noncontrolling Interest Operating Partnership \| Mid America Apartment Communities Inc Shareholders Equity
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	215,404	224,813	220,043	231,676
Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	2,814	1,913	7,336	5,888
Other comprehensive (loss) income - derivatives instruments (cash flow hedges)	(195)	127	(520)	335
Shares issued in exchange for units	(836)		(1,993)	(4,283)
Shares issued in exchange for redeemable stock		(1,165)
Adjustment for noncontrolling interests in Operating Partnership	272	(266)	459	(561)
Dividends on noncontrolling interest units	(3,912)	(3,581)	(11,778)	(11,214)
Ending Balance	213,547	221,841	213,547	221,841
Noncontrolling Interest \| Mid America Apartment Communities Inc Shareholders Equity
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	5,656	2,306	2,306	2,306
Contribution from noncontrolling interest	955		4,305
Ending Balance	$ 6,611	$ 2,306	$ 6,611	$ 2,306

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