Tybee Island's housing stock is shaped by the coast and the vacation economy. The predominant style is the vintage coastal raised cottage, many dating to the late 1800s and early 1900s, built up on pilings to shed storm surge. These sit alongside oceanfront condominiums, mid-century bungalows, newer elevated single-family homes, and private houses along the calmer Back River. A large share of the island's dwellings double as short-term rentals — more than 900 homes, cottages, and condos are available to visitors — which means buyers often weigh full-time residency against income-producing second-home use. Elevated construction and proximity to beach access are the defining features of the market.

Tybee's districts are organized around its shorelines. North Beach, running from Highway 80 to the northern tip, holds many of the island's historic raised cottages, the lighthouse, and a cluster of shops and eateries. South Beach, anchored by the fishing pier and pavilion, is the busiest stretch for sunbathing and people-watching. Mid-Beach fills the quieter middle of the island's oceanfront, while the Back River side offers deeper-water frontage, marsh views, and a calmer, more private residential feel. Because the island is only a few miles long, the different beach districts remain minutes apart, and most of the community functions as one walkable, bikeable town.

Tybee Island moves to a relaxed, salt-air rhythm that blends a small full-time community with a steady flow of beachgoers. Residents bike or golf-cart around town, gather at casual seafood shacks and local taverns, and spend mornings on the sand or the fishing pier. The island's older median age reflects its appeal to retirees and second-home owners, while seasonal visitors and vacationers keep the commercial districts lively through the summer. Savannah, less than half an hour west, supplies fine dining, arts, and nightlife, so the island lifestyle pairs easy beach living with a historic city's culture close at hand.

Tybee Island falls within the Savannah-Chatham County Public School System. On the island, the Tybee Island Maritime Academy is a K-8 charter school with a coastal and maritime focus, and St. Michael's Catholic School serves grades K-8. For older students, the district's Islands High School, located on nearby Whitemarsh Island, covers the Georgia barrier islands including Tybee, while May Howard Elementary and Coastal Middle School serve the neighboring Wilmington and Whitemarsh communities. The short causeway drive means most secondary students commute to these mainland campuses, and additional private and parochial options are available in Savannah.

Tybee Island is reached primarily by US Highway 80, which runs east from Savannah across the salt marsh causeway and onto the island. The drive from Savannah's Historic District takes roughly 20 to 30 minutes over about 18 miles. For longer trips, Interstate 95 and Interstate 16 connect through the Savannah area, and Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport provides commercial air service. On the island itself, residents and visitors move around by car, bicycle, and golf cart, with the compact layout making most destinations reachable in a few minutes. Rush-hour and summer-weekend traffic can lengthen the causeway trip during peak season.

Recreation on Tybee Island centers on the ocean and the marsh. Five miles of public beach support swimming, surfing, kayaking, paddleboarding, and surf fishing, with the South Beach pier and pavilion serving as a social hub. The Tybee Island Marine Science Center offers coastal education programs and turtle and marine-life exhibits, while the Tybee Light Station and Fort Screven museum draw history-minded visitors. Anglers and boaters work the Back River and the surrounding creeks, and nearby Fort Pulaski National Monument adds trails and Civil War-era fortifications. Savannah's riverfront, Forsyth Park, and historic squares extend the recreation and culture options a short drive west.