Prince George's County, Maryland · Gateway Arts District · Route 1 Corridor
Brentwood & North Brentwood MD Homes for Sale
Two adjacent small cities that most buyers lump together or overlook entirely — but they're distinct places with distinct stories. Brentwood is the corridor's quiet middle child: between Mount Rainier and North Brentwood, affordable, unassuming, and part of the Gateway Arts District. North Brentwood carries something heavier: it was incorporated in 1924 as the first majority-Black municipality in Maryland, and the community has been actively stewarding that identity ever since. Together, they offer some of the lowest entry prices into a DC-adjacent, walkable, arts-district corridor anywhere in the region.
At a glance: how they compare
| Brentwood | North Brentwood | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | ~3,800 | ~600 |
| Founded | Early 20th century | 1924 (incorporated) |
| Historic district | No designated district | No designated district |
| Gateway Arts District | Yes | Yes |
| Entry price | 10–15% below Mt. Rainier | Lowest on the corridor |
| Renovation flexibility | High — no HPC review | High — no HPC review |
Brentwood
Brentwood is the kind of place you might miss if you blink. About 3,800 residents, a few dozen blocks of single-family homes, and a position between Mount Rainier to the south and North Brentwood to the north. What it lacks in size it makes up for in character and accessibility — it's part of the Gateway Arts District, has its own active municipal government, and offers some of the lowest entry prices into a walkable DC-adjacent neighborhood in the region.
Quick orientation
Brentwood is incorporated as a municipality, distinct from neighboring North Brentwood and Mount Rainier. It's bounded roughly by Route 1 to the west, the BW Parkway to the east, and Mount Rainier to the south. The street grid is small and tight, the lots are compact, and the housing stock reads as a quieter version of Mount Rainier.
Housing stock
Brentwood's homes were built mostly between 1910 and 1950:
- Craftsman bungalows on 4,000–6,000 sq ft lots
- Folk Victorian cottages and small-scale Colonial Revivals
- Post-WWII capes and ramblers on the eastern edge
- Occasional adaptive reuse properties along Route 1 — live/work spaces, studios, small commercial-residential
Prices typically run 10–15% below Mount Rainier for comparable stock. The citywide median is approximately $390K as of April 2026. Because Brentwood is not within a designated historic district, buyers have more flexibility on exterior renovations than they would in Mount Rainier — no Historic Preservation Commission review required. That's a real factor for buyers planning significant alterations.
Why some buyers prefer Brentwood over Mount Rainier
They're neighbors, and the differences are real but small: Brentwood is quieter and less foot-traffic-intensive. Prices are meaningfully lower for comparable stock. And the absence of a historic district means renovation decisions are yours alone. The community has a tight-knit, small-town identity — Brentwood Day, summer programming, and active municipal engagement are hallmarks.
North Brentwood
North Brentwood matters beyond its size. About 600 residents in roughly 250 homes spread across a small grid east of Route 1. Prices are the most accessible in the immediate corridor. But the reason to know North Brentwood isn't the price point — it's the history.
North Brentwood's origins trace to land developed by Captain Wallace Bartlett — a commander of U.S. Colored Troops — who beginning in 1887 sold parcels to soldiers from his regiment, former slaves, and Black families. The community built itself from those roots over the following decades.
In 1924, North Brentwood was incorporated as a municipality — making it the first majority-Black incorporated town in Maryland, and possibly the first municipality in the country without any white voters at the time of its founding.
That history is actively maintained. The North Brentwood Historical Society and the Gwendolyn Britt Senior Activities Center both preserve and program around the community's founding story. Anyone considering a purchase here should understand the community's identity and stewardship norms.
Housing stock
Most of North Brentwood's homes were built between 1900 and 1950:
- Small Craftsman bungalows and Folk Victorian cottages
- Mid-century capes and ramblers on the more recently developed blocks
- Compact single-family homes on lots typically 4,000–5,500 sq ft
North Brentwood consistently offers the most accessible entry pricing in the immediate Route 1 corridor — estimated at approximately $360K median as of April 2026, though transaction volume is limited enough that individual sales can move the number meaningfully. Buyers here benefit from the same Gateway Arts District amenities and Metro access as Hyattsville and Mount Rainier, at the lowest price points on the corridor.
Gateway Arts District involvement
North Brentwood is one of the four Gateway Arts District cities. The community's involvement has emphasized cultural programming, historical preservation, and economic development that supports long-term residents rather than displacing them. That's a deliberate, locally-led approach — worth understanding before buying in.
Commute
Both cities sit in the same transit pocket — similar commute options from either address:
Right for you if
You want the Gateway Arts District community and DC-border location at the lowest price points on the corridor. In Brentwood: you're willing to be patient and you value the flexibility of no historic district review. In North Brentwood: you're drawn to a community with historical depth and want to be part of its continued stewardship, not just its real estate market.
Wrong for you if
You want Mount Rainier's art scene density or Hyattsville's dining-and-retail strip, without moving to those cities. Both Brentwood communities are quieter and less commercially developed than their neighbors. The character is real — but it's residential first, arts-district second.
Current Listings — Updated Daily From Bright MLS
Homes for sale in Brentwood and North Brentwood, MD 20722. Note: some MLS records may list North Brentwood addresses as Brentwood — verify with municipal boundaries.
What buyers ask about Brentwood & North Brentwood
Where are Brentwood and North Brentwood, Maryland?
Both are small incorporated cities in Prince George's County, Maryland, just across the DC line. They sit between Mount Rainier to the south and Hyattsville to the north, east of Route 1. Both share the 20722 zip code, are part of the Gateway Arts District, and have access to the Red Line at Rhode Island Avenue–Brentwood and the Green Line at West Hyattsville.
What is the history of North Brentwood?
North Brentwood was developed by African American families beginning in 1887, on land sold by Captain Wallace Bartlett — a Civil War officer who commanded U.S. Colored Troops — to soldiers from his regiment, former slaves, and Black families. It was formally incorporated in 1924, making it the first majority-Black incorporated municipality in Maryland, and possibly the first municipality in the country without any white voters at the time of founding. The North Brentwood Historical Society and the Gwendolyn Britt Senior Activities Center actively preserve and program around this history.
How are Brentwood and North Brentwood different?
They are adjacent but separate municipalities with distinct governments, histories, and identities. North Brentwood is smaller (roughly 600 residents), historically Black-founded, and carries a distinct civic identity that shapes how the community approaches development and new residents. Brentwood has roughly 3,800 residents and a somewhat larger, more varied housing stock. The naming reflects geography, not subsidiary status — North Brentwood is not part of Brentwood.
Are Brentwood and North Brentwood in the Gateway Arts District?
Yes. Both are among the four Gateway Arts District cities, alongside Mount Rainier and Hyattsville. The district brings sustained investment in arts programming, restaurants, and cultural infrastructure along the Route 1 corridor. Neither city has the same density of arts infrastructure as Mount Rainier or Hyattsville, but both benefit from the spillover of the broader district.
What kinds of homes are in Brentwood and North Brentwood?
Both communities have mostly Craftsman bungalows, Folk Victorian cottages, and small Colonial Revivals built between 1900 and 1950, with some post-WWII capes and ramblers on the more recently developed blocks. Lots are typically 4,000–6,000 sq ft. Brentwood also has occasional adaptive reuse and live/work properties along Route 1. Neither city is in a designated historic district, which gives buyers more exterior renovation flexibility than they'd have in neighboring Mount Rainier.
How do you commute from Brentwood or North Brentwood to DC?
Rhode Island Avenue–Brentwood (Red Line) is approximately 10 minutes away by car. West Hyattsville (Green Line) is about 8 minutes. Downtown DC is 20–25 minutes by Metro from either station. Multiple Metrobus lines serve Route 1 directly. Both cities share essentially the same transit access given how small and close together they are.
All information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. All properties are subject to prior sale, change or withdrawal. Listing information is provided for consumers' personal, non-commercial use and may not be used for any purpose other than to identify prospective properties consumers may be interested in purchasing. Market statistics sourced from Movoto and Zillow Home Value Index, April 2026; North Brentwood median is market-observed given limited transaction volume; refreshed quarterly. Historical information sourced from North Brentwood Historical Society and Maryland municipal records. Equal Housing Opportunity.