Palm Beach's housing stock is defined by its island setting and Gilded Age roots. The town is known for Mediterranean Revival and Spanish-influenced architecture, with oceanfront estates, Intracoastal-fronted properties, and a stock of condominium and townhouse residences along the island's in-town corridors. Characteristically, the market is low-density and high-end, with a long-standing emphasis on architectural pedigree and water views rather than large-scale new development. The estate areas near Worth Avenue and the ocean stand apart from the more varied mid-island and north-end residential blocks.

Palm Beach is organized along a north-south island spine rather than a grid of separate towns. The area around Worth Avenue forms the commercial and social center, with the grand estate district extending along the oceanfront and Intracoastal sides nearby. Farther north, residential streets grow quieter and more private, while mid-island blocks mix single-family homes with condominium buildings. The Town Docks and Lake Trail run along the Intracoastal, giving much of the island a waterside connection, and municipal beaches and parks mark the Atlantic edge.

Palm Beach's lifestyle is refined and resort-oriented, rooted in its history as a winter retreat for the wealthy. Worth Avenue provides a concentrated stretch of boutiques, galleries, and dining, while the Flagler Museum preserves the island's Gilded Age heritage in Henry Flagler's Whitehall estate. Daily life revolves around the beach, the Intracoastal Waterway, and a walkable, manicured setting. Across the bridges, West Palm Beach supplies a broader downtown, cultural venues, and regional services, giving island residents the convenience of the larger city while retaining Palm Beach's quieter, exclusive character.

Palm Beach is served by the School District of Palm Beach County, which encompasses all of Palm Beach County and is one of the ten largest public school districts in the United States, with about 235 schools and roughly 190,000 students. The district provides the public-school framework for the town's families, while Palm Beach's long tradition of private schooling and seasonal residency also shapes the local education landscape.

Palm Beach is connected to West Palm Beach by a series of bridges across the Intracoastal Waterway, making the mainland city's downtown, Palm Beach International Airport, and regional rail connections directly accessible. The town itself is compact and low-speed, with much of daily movement by car or bicycle. This island-mainland link gives residents access to a major coastal county's transportation network — including an international airport — while keeping the island's quiet, residential character intact.

Recreation in Palm Beach centers on the water. The Atlantic side offers public beaches at Phipps Ocean Park, R.G. Kreusler Park, and the Town of Palm Beach Municipal Beach, while the Intracoastal Waterway supports boating, paddleboarding, and fishing. The Lake Trail provides a scenic, waterside route for walking and biking along the island's western edge. Worth Avenue adds a walkable shopping and dining experience, and the Flagler Museum and other cultural institutions round out the town's leisure offerings. Across the bridge, West Palm Beach extends the options with parks, a waterfront, and a larger events scene.