Keyport's housing stock reflects its history as an older bayshore borough. The community offers a mix of older single-family homes and small lots near the water and downtown, along with some newer and multi-family construction farther inland. Its waterfront location, compact layout, and commuter access to New York City sustain demand from buyers seeking a bayshore setting at a smaller scale than nearby suburbs. The borough's dense, established street grid gives it a distinctly older, walkable character.

Keyport is a compact borough rather than a collection of large, distinct neighborhoods. The area near the bay and downtown contains the borough's oldest homes, marinas, and commercial core, while residential streets extend inland toward the higher ground away from the water. The borough is bounded by Raritan Bay to the north and neighboring Monmouth County communities on its other sides. Its small size keeps the waterfront and downtown central to the borough's identity.

Life in Keyport is shaped by the bay. The borough's waterfront, marina, and seafood restaurants anchor a distinctly bayshore lifestyle, while the compact downtown provides shops and services within walking distance of the water. The "Pearl of the Bayshore" identity reflects a community proud of its maritime heritage and its views across Raritan Bay. As a commuter town, Keyport offers a small-town, waterside pace while remaining within reach of New York City and the broader Monmouth County region.

Keyport is served by the Keyport Public Schools, which provides public education for borough students from the elementary grades through high school. The district is a central institution in the small community, with a single-school-town feel that reflects the borough's compact size. Families also have access to regional educational options in the surrounding Monmouth County communities and the broader New Jersey school landscape.

Keyport sits along State Route 36, a major bayshore corridor, and near the Garden State Parkway, providing automobile access to New York City, the Jersey Shore, and the rest of Monmouth County. The borough's location within the New York metropolitan area places commuter rail and bus options within reach in nearby communities. Its bayshore position and highway connections make it a practical base for both regional commuters and those working locally.

Recreation in Keyport centers on Raritan Bay. The borough's marina and waterfront support boating and fishing, and the bayshore setting offers views and shoreline walks. The compact downtown provides dining and shops near the water, while nearby Monmouth County parks, the beaches of the Jersey Shore, and Sandy Hook are within a short drive. The borough's location gives residents easy access to both bayfront recreation and the broader amenities of the Raritan Bayshore region.