Fox Island's housing market is defined by waterfront and view properties, with a mix of low-bank and no-bank Puget Sound shoreline homes, large custom estates on multi-acre parcels, and more modest single-family homes in the island's interior. Because the island is small and much of its shoreline is already developed, inventory is limited and waterfront listings are prized, often featuring private beaches, docks, and views of Mount Rainier and the Olympic range. The setting is semi-rural, with generous lots, mature trees, and little in the way of dense subdivision development. Buyers are drawn primarily by water access, privacy, and the island's scenic, low-key character rather than urban convenience.

Fox Island offers a quiet, semi-rural island lifestyle with Puget Sound as its constant backdrop. Daily life is oriented toward the water—boating, kayaking, beach access, and shoreline views of Mount Rainier, the Olympic Mountains, and the Tacoma Narrows Bridge—while the island's wooded interior and winding roads keep the setting distinctly unhurried. There is little commercial development, so residents drive into Gig Harbor for shopping and services, yet the bridge connection keeps the mainland convenient. The community is close-knit and privacy-oriented, appealing to those who want waterfront or acreage living, scenic isolation, and strong schools within a short drive of Tacoma and the South Sound.

Fox Island is served by the Peninsula School District, a well-regarded system based in Gig Harbor that covers the Gig Harbor peninsula, Fox Island, Purdy, and the Key Peninsula. The district operates eight elementary, four middle, and six high schools, and specific school assignments for island residents can vary by address and shift over time, so families should confirm current boundaries. The island once had its own Fox Island School, built in 1934 under the Works Progress Administration and merged into the Peninsula district in 1959, a reminder of the community's small-scale educational roots. Higher education options include Tacoma Community College and other South Sound institutions.

Fox Island is reached by the Fox Island Bridge, which crosses Hale Passage to connect the island to the mainland at Artondale on the Gig Harbor peninsula. From there, State Route 16 provides the principal route north to Bremerton or east across the Tacoma Narrows Bridge toward Tacoma, Interstate 5, and the broader Puget Sound region. The island is automobile-dependent, with no transit service and only limited commercial amenities, so residents drive to Gig Harbor—about five miles away—for most errands and services. The bridge connection makes the island practical for commuting while preserving its separated, semi-rural character.

Recreation on Fox Island is centered on Puget Sound. Residents enjoy boating, kayaking, paddleboarding, and shoreline access, with protected coves such as Honeymoon Bay and the waters of Hale Passage offering sheltered paddling and fishing. The island's quiet roads are suited to walking and cycling, and its waterfront setting provides daily views of Mount Rainier, the Olympic Mountains, and the Tacoma Narrows. Nearby Gig Harbor adds marinas, parks, and a charming waterfront downtown, while the Key Peninsula and the broader South Sound offer hiking, camping, and additional boating destinations. The Tacoma Narrows Bridge and State Route 16 put the region's parks and urban amenities within easy reach.