Cabo Rojo's housing stock reflects its coastal, tourism-oriented setting. The municipality mixes traditional in-town homes in the barrio-pueblo with beach cottages, vacation properties, and newer single-family construction in areas such as Boquerón and Joyuda. Many residents own their homes, and a portion of the market is oriented toward second homes and rentals serving the tourism economy. Properties near the coast command particular interest, while inland barrios offer a quieter, rural character. The overall market spans modest in-town homes to coastal residences.

Cabo Rojo is divided into eight barrios plus the urban center. The barrio-pueblo serves as the historic and administrative heart, while Boquerón is known for its beachfront, fishing village, and boardwalk, and Joyuda for its concentration of seafood restaurants along the water. Guanajibo, Miradero, and Monte Grande extend through the municipality's interior, and the coastal barrios of Llanos Costa and Llanos Tuna hold rural shoreline and salt flat landscapes. Pedernales and Bajura round out the municipality's varied residential and coastal areas.

Cabo Rojo offers a relaxed, coastal Caribbean lifestyle. Days center on the beach, with swimming, fishing, and boating woven into local culture, and evenings draw residents and visitors to the seafood restaurants of Joyuda and the lively waterfront of Boquerón. The municipality's natural attractions, from the lighthouse cliffs to the salt flats and wildlife refuge, support hiking, birding, and outdoor exploration. Tourism and fishing shape the community's identity, giving Cabo Rojo a vibrant yet unhurried west-coast atmosphere.

Public education in Cabo Rojo is handled by the Puerto Rico Department of Education, which operates roughly sixteen public schools across the municipality serving students from elementary through high school. Private schools supplement the public system. Higher education is accessible nearby, including institutions in Mayagüez and San Germán, giving local students access to collegiate and technical programs within the region.

Cabo Rojo is connected to the rest of Puerto Rico by the island's road network, with principal routes linking the municipality to Mayagüez, San Germán, and the broader west coast. The Mayagüez airport, about a dozen miles away, provides regional air service, while Aguadilla's Rafael Hernández Airport, roughly 45 minutes north, offers international connections. Most travel is by car, and the municipality's coastal roads give access to its many beaches and attractions.

Cabo Rojo's recreation is defined by its coastline and natural areas. Playa Sucia (La Playuela) and the beaches of Boquerón offer swimming, sunbathing, and water sports, while the Los Morrillos Lighthouse cliffs provide hiking and panoramic Caribbean views. The pink salt flats and Cabo Rojo National Wildlife Refuge support birding, photography, and nature walks, and the area's waters are popular for fishing, boating, and kayaking. With more than 100 beaches and a network of trails, the municipality is one of Puerto Rico's premier outdoor destinations.