Housing in Howe is dominated by modest single-family homes that reflect the town's farming and railroad roots. Older frame and brick houses, many from the mid-twentieth century, line the streets near downtown and the rail corridor, while newer subdivisions have been added on the town's edges as demand spread northward along U.S. 75. Lots tend to be more generous than in the denser urban cores of the metroplex, giving many homes space for yards and gardens. Compared with neighboring communities farther south, Howe's housing stock is generally smaller in scale and lower in density, which appeals to buyers seeking a more traditional small-town setting. The town's growth has been steady rather than dramatic, preserving much of its original street grid and neighborhood feel.

Howe offers the unhurried pace of a small North Texas town. Daily life centers on the schools, churches, and the compact downtown district, where the town's civic identity has been carefully tended over generations. Residents typically look to nearby Sherman for larger retail, dining, and medical services, while keeping everyday errands close to home. Community events, youth athletics, and school activities provide much of the social calendar. The town's history as an agricultural and rail settlement gives it a grounded, working-town character rather than a commuter-sleeper feel, even as newer residents arrive for the highway access and more attainable housing.

Public education in Howe is provided by the Howe Independent School District, a small district of four campuses serving roughly 1,300 students. In addition to the town of Howe, the district serves the nearby community of Dorchester. The district's compact size means relatively small class cohorts and close ties between the schools and the town. Older students attend Howe High School, whose activities are a focal point of community life. For residents seeking additional options, the larger districts and institutions of Sherman and the Dallas–Fort Worth area are within reach, though Howe ISD is the primary educational anchor for most local families.

Howe's transportation story is defined by U.S. Highway 75, the major north–south freeway that runs along the town's edge and connects it to Sherman to the north and the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex to the south. State Highway 5 and Farm-to-Market Road 902 also intersect in town, linking Howe to surrounding Grayson County communities. Commuters heading toward the Dallas area use U.S. 75 for much of the journey. The town's elevation of roughly 860 feet is notable as the highest point along U.S. 75 between the Red River and the Gulf of Mexico. Regional air travel is served through the Dallas–Fort Worth airport system, reachable via the highway network.

Recreation in and around Howe leans on the town's parks and the open rural landscape of southern Grayson County. School and community athletic programs, along with church and civic events, anchor much of local activity. For larger recreational outings, residents can turn to Sherman's parks and facilities to the north or make the drive to the lakes and recreation areas of the Red River region near the Oklahoma border. The town's position along U.S. 75 also puts the cultural and entertainment offerings of the Dallas–Fort Worth area within a day trip's reach.