Cover - shares	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020	Jul. 24, 2020
Cover [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Period End Date	Jun. 30, 2020
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	001-11312
Entity Registrant Name	COUSINS PROPERTIES INC
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	GA
Entity Tax Identification Number	58-0869052
Entity Address, Address Line One	3344 Peachtree Road NE
Entity Address, Address Line Two	Suite 1800
Entity Address, City or Town	Atlanta
Entity Address, State or Province	GA
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	30326-4802
City Area Code	404
Local Phone Number	407-1000
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, $1 par value per share
Trading Symbol	CUZ
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		148,568,109
Entity Central Index Key	0000025232
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2020
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31