Cross Plains' housing stock is modest and small-town, dominated by older single-family homes on established lots, including early- and mid-twentieth-century houses near the town center. The surrounding ranch country offers larger parcels and rural acreage for those seeking more space. There is little new subdivision development, and the market is stable and low-volume, reflecting a rural West Texas community with a small, steady population. Homes are generally affordable, and buyers are often drawn by the quiet pace, the close-knit community, and the availability of land nearby. The market serves both full-time residents and those with ties to the surrounding ranching economy.

Cross Plains is a compact small town organized around its crossroads at Highway 36 and State Highway 206. The historic downtown and the Robert E. Howard house sit near the center, with residential streets of older homes radiating outward into the surrounding countryside. There are no large named subdivisions; instead, the town's neighborhoods are established residential blocks that reflect its early-twentieth-century growth. Beyond the city limits, ranches and farm properties define the landscape. The overall feel is of a traditional Texas crossroads town, with the Howard Museum serving as its most notable landmark.

Life in Cross Plains is that of a classic small West Texas town, quiet, close-knit, and shaped by its ranching and farming surroundings. The community's most distinctive cultural asset is its connection to Robert E. Howard, which brings a steady trickle of literary visitors and fans to the town and gives it a unique identity among rural Texas communities. Day-to-day life centers on the schools, churches, and local businesses that line the town's streets, while Abilene, the nearest city, provides larger services and employment. For residents, Cross Plains offers an unhurried pace, a strong sense of community, and a literary heritage that sets it apart.

Public school students in Cross Plains attend the Cross Plains Independent School District, the town's local school system serving the community and the surrounding rural area. As in many small Texas towns, the schools are central to community life, hosting athletics and events that bring residents together. The district's small scale allows for a close, community-oriented educational environment. For families, the presence of a local K-12 district is an important part of Cross Plains' appeal, offering students continuity and proximity within their hometown while the region's larger amenities remain accessible in nearby Abilene.

Cross Plains sits at the junction of Highway 36 and State Highway 206, two regional routes that connect the town to the surrounding West Texas countryside and to larger cities. Highway 36 provides the principal link toward Abilene to the northwest and toward other communities in the region, while State Highway 206 runs north-south through the town. There is no public transit, and daily travel is by car. The town's crossroads location has long defined its role as a small commercial stop in Callahan County, and the highways keep Abilene and other regional centers within a practical drive for work and services.

The Robert E. Howard Museum is Cross Plains' signature attraction, offering fans of the author a look at his preserved home, study, and literary artifacts, and the town honors his legacy through annual Robert E. Howard Days, a gathering of scholars and fans. Beyond this literary tourism, recreation is rooted in the rural West Texas landscape, with hunting, fishing, and outdoor activities in the surrounding ranch country. Local parks, school sports, and community events round out the calendar. Abilene, within driving distance, provides museums, parks, and cultural attractions for residents seeking more developed recreation.