Housing in Bayonne is characterized by an urban-suburban mix of attached rowhouses, two-family homes, and single-family houses, many with yards and driveways that are less common in nearby Hoboken and Jersey City. Older neighborhoods feature early- and mid-20th-century construction on a dense street grid, while the former Military Ocean Terminal site has added newer condominium and townhome development along the waterfront. The housing stock is weighted toward rentals and smaller owner-occupied buildings, and the city has long drawn families and first-time buyers seeking proximity to New York.

Bayonne's neighborhoods run the length of the peninsula. The southern end, near the Kill Van Kull and the Bayonne Bridge, includes older residential blocks and Collins Park. The midtown area holds much of the city's commercial spine along Broadway, with a dense mix of shops, restaurants, and multifamily homes. The northern and eastern waterfront encompasses the former Military Ocean Terminal's redeveloped harbor district and the cruise terminal area. Each section retains a distinct street-level character, unified by the city's three-sided waterfront and views across the harbor.

Bayonne offers a working-class, family-oriented urban culture with a strong sense of local identity. Broadway, the city's main commercial corridor, is lined with longtime diners, bakeries, pizzerias, and neighborhood businesses reflecting the city's diverse population. The waterfront, including Dennis P. Collins Park at the southern tip, provides walking paths, fishing piers, ball fields, and harbor views. The cruise terminal and redeveloped harbor district add activity along the eastern shore. Residents enjoy the blend of small-city familiarity with easy access to Jersey City's and Manhattan's cultural offerings.

Public education in Bayonne is provided by the Bayonne School District, which operates a network of elementary, middle, and high schools serving the city, anchored by Bayonne High School. The district is complemented by a number of parochial and private schools with long histories in the community. The city's compact size means most students attend schools within a short distance of home, and the district's facilities are spread throughout the peninsula's neighborhoods.

Bayonne is well connected for a city of its size. The Hudson-Bergen Light Rail runs along the eastern side of the city with several stations, providing service north through Jersey City and Hoboken and connections to PATH trains and ferries to Manhattan. The Bayonne Bridge carries Route 440 traffic to Staten Island, while the New Jersey Turnpike and Route 78 extension link the city to the broader region. Ferry and express bus options add further commuting routes to New York City.

Dennis P. Collins Park, the city's largest, runs along the Kill Van Kull at the southern tip and offers walking trails, playgrounds, sports courts and fields, a fishing pier, and harbor views. Additional neighborhood parks, playgrounds, and the waterfront promenade provide green space throughout the peninsula. Boating and fishing access on Newark Bay and New York Bay, along with the county's larger park network and nearby Liberty State Park in Jersey City, extend recreation options beyond the city's borders.