Compton's housing stock is dominated by single-family homes built largely through the early and mid-20th century, including California bungalows, Spanish-style and traditional houses, and modest ranch homes on tree-lined streets. Many lots are generously sized for an urban Los Angeles suburb, and Richland Farms stands out for its rural, equestrian lots where residents keep horses and livestock within the city. Newer construction and infill townhomes have added to the mix in recent decades. The city's older, well-built housing and its comparatively lower prices than surrounding communities continue to draw buyers and first-time homeowners across the region.

Compton's neighborhoods are largely flat, grid-patterned residential districts of single-family homes. Richland Farms is the best-known and most distinctive: a historic neighborhood of large lots and equestrian zoning where residents board horses, grow gardens, and maintain a semi-rural lifestyle in the heart of the city. Elsewhere, neighborhoods cluster around local parks, schools, and commercial corridors such as Compton Boulevard, Long Beach Boulevard, and Rosecrans Avenue. The city's eastern and western edges are shaped by the I-710 and I-105 freeways and the Metro A Line, placing most homes within reach of transit and employment centers across the region.

Compton's identity is rooted in community, faith, and a globally influential music culture. The city is synonymous with West Coast hip-hop, from the formation of N.W.A. in 1987 to the generations of rappers, producers, and athletes who followed, and that heritage is celebrated in local culture and public art. Churches, neighborhood associations, youth sports, and recreation centers anchor daily life, while the equestrian tradition of Richland Farms — with residents riding horses through city streets — offers a distinctive contrast to the surrounding urban sprawl. Compton College and the city's parks host events and programs that keep civic life active year-round.

Public education in Compton is provided by the Compton Unified School District, which operates elementary, middle, and high schools across the city. Compton College, a public community college founded in 1927, serves as the city's higher-education anchor, offering associate degrees and workforce training from its campus in the city center. Nearby California State University, Dominguez Hills and other regional colleges expand options for residents. The district and college have invested in facilities and programs in recent years, and school-based athletics and community programs remain central to local life.

Compton's "Hub City" nickname reflects its central location and transportation network. The Metro A Line light rail runs through the city with stations at Compton and Artesia, providing direct service to downtown Los Angeles and Long Beach, and the nearby Willowbrook/Rosa Parks station connects to the C Line. The I-710, I-105, and SR-91 freeways cross or border the city, linking it to the ports, LAX, and the wider region, with the I-110 nearby. Local bus lines radiate from the MLK Transit Center. For commuters and logistics businesses alike, Compton sits at one of the most connected points in southern Los Angeles County.

Compton's parks and recreation facilities give the city ample community green space. Wilson Park, near the civic center, offers a community center, gymnasium, lighted tennis courts, baseball diamond, playground, and picnic areas. Compton Creek Natural Park preserves a stretch of Compton Creek with native habitat and walking paths, and neighborhood parks such as Roy Campanella Park and Spane Park add playgrounds and sports fields. The Richland Farms area sustains a working equestrian culture, with trails and stables woven into the neighborhood. Recreation centers, pools, and youth sports leagues round out the city's active, family-oriented offerings.