Name:	mth_AccrualsRelatedToRealEstateDevelopmentAndConstructionActivities
Namespace Prefix:	mth_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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Includes the liabilities related to the remaining exercise price of land and lot option purchases contracts and the entity's cash received and contribution made related to the sale of inventory to a joint venture that did not qualify as a sale under the current accounting standards.

No definition available.

Name:	mth_AccruedLandUnderPurchaseOptionsRecorded
Namespace Prefix:	mth_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

Carrying value as of the balance sheet date of obligations incurred and payable, pertaining to costs that are statutory in nature, are incurred on contractual obligations, or accumulate over time and for which invoices have not yet been received or will not be rendered. Examples include taxes, interest, rent and utilities.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 210
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section S45
-Paragraph 1
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147477657/942-210-S45-1

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 210
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section S50
-Paragraph 1
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147478478/942-210-S50-1

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 210
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03(15)(5))
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147478546/942-210-S99-1

Name:	us-gaap_AccruedLiabilitiesCurrentAndNoncurrent
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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Period Type:	instant

- References

No definition available.

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Total of the carrying values as of the balance sheet date of obligations incurred through that date and payable for obligations related to services received from employees, such as accrued salaries and bonuses, payroll taxes and fringe benefits.

Name:	us-gaap_EmployeeRelatedLiabilitiesCurrentAndNoncurrent
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

Amount of interest payable on debt, including, but not limited to, trade payables.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02(24))
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147480566/210-10-S99-1

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 210
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section S45
-Paragraph 1
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147477657/942-210-S45-1

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 210
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section S50
-Paragraph 1
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147478478/942-210-S50-1

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 210
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03(15)(5))
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147478546/942-210-S99-1

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 210
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03(a)(15)(a))
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147478777/944-210-S99-1

Name:	us-gaap_InterestPayableCurrentAndNoncurrent
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

Present value of lessee's discounted obligation for lease payments from operating lease.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 842
-SubTopic 20
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 45
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (b)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147479041/842-20-45-1

Name:	us-gaap_OperatingLeaseLiability
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

Amount of expenses incurred but not yet paid classified as other.

Name:	us-gaap_OtherAccruedLiabilitiesCurrentAndNoncurrent
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

Amount as of the balance sheet date of the aggregate standard product warranty liability. Does not include the balance for the extended product warranty liability.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Topic 460
-SubTopic 10
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 8
-Subparagraph (c)(5)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147482425/460-10-50-8

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Topic 460
-SubTopic 10
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 8
-Subparagraph (c)(1)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147482425/460-10-50-8

Name:	us-gaap_StandardProductWarrantyAccrual
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

Carrying value as of the balance sheet date of obligations incurred and payable for statutory income, sales, use, payroll, excise, real, property and other taxes.