Longview, Texas is about 2 hours and 15 minutes east of Dallas and about 4 hours and 20 minutes north of Houston. Most people who move here from a big Texas city notice three things first: rent is much lower, drives are much shorter, and you set up electricity a different way.
Here is what to expect and how to plan the move.
How far is Longview from Houston and Dallas?
Drive times from Longview, in normal traffic, calculated with the OSRM routing engine:
| To | Miles | Drive time |
|---|---|---|
| Kilgore | 12 | about 15 min |
| Marshall | 23 | about 30 min |
| Tyler | 37 | about 45 min |
| Shreveport, LA | 64 | about 1 hr 15 min |
| Texarkana | 94 | about 1 hr 55 min |
| Dallas | 128 | about 2 hr 15 min |
| Fort Worth | 159 | about 2 hr 55 min |
| Houston | 213 | about 4 hr 20 min |
Dallas is close enough for a day trip, a concert or a flight out of DFW. Houston is a long day or a weekend.
Flying: East Texas Regional Airport (GGG) in Longview has American Eagle flights to DFW, with connections from there, and free parking (GGG airport FAQ). DFW Airport is about 2 hours 40 minutes away by car.
Train: Amtrak's Texas Eagle stops at the Longview station at 905 Pacific Ave. Check Amtrak for times.
What changes when you move from Houston or Dallas
Rent drops
A 2 bedroom apartment in Longview averages about $1,143 a month (Rentometer, May 2026). Rentometer's Dallas page shows roughly $2,165 to $2,200 for a 2 bedroom (Rentometer Dallas). Houston sits between them, with Rentometer showing about $1,700 to $1,870 (Rentometer Houston). Rents move every month, so use these as ballpark numbers.
Newer Longview communities with updated kitchens, a pool and gated entry run above the city average, usually $1,250 and up. That is still well below the big metros.
Electricity works differently
In Dallas and Houston you shop for an electric plan from dozens of retail providers. Longview is served by SWEPCO, on the Southwest Power Pool grid, not ERCOT (ElectricChoice). In most of the city there is no plan to shop for. You call SWEPCO at 1-888-216-3523 and start service. Our Longview utilities guide has every number you need.
Drives get short
Inside Longview, most trips take 15 minutes or less. Loop 281 circles the city and connects most of it. Expect some lane closures: Loop 281 is being resurfaced between Shofner Dr. and US 259, mostly at night, with work expected to finish in early 2027 (KLTV).
Pay can be lower
Average pay in the Longview metro was $55,480 a year in May 2025 (BLS). That is lower than Dallas or Houston. If you keep a big-city salary through remote work, or you are coming for a job here, the lower rent goes a long way. See our cost of living in Longview guide for the full picture.
Same Texas basics
No state income tax, the same driver license and car registration rules, and an 8.25% sales tax in Longview (LEDCO).
Do you need to re-register your car?
If you already have Texas plates, no. Just update your address with the Texas DMV and your insurer. If you are coming from out of state, you have 30 days to register the car and 90 days to get a Texas driver license (TxDMV). Gregg County is not an emissions-test county.
A simple plan for moving from Houston or Dallas
4 weeks out
- Pick 2 or 3 apartments and do video tours if you cannot visit.
- Check how far each is from your job. Our Longview commute guide has drive times.
- Get each property's fees and requirements in writing.
2–3 weeks out
- Apply and sign. Book movers or a truck.
- Give notice at your current place. Most Texas leases ask for 30 days or more in writing.
1 week out
- Start SWEPCO for move-in day. Book internet.
- Submit the City of Longview water application, if water is in your name.
Move-in week
- Walk the apartment and photograph everything before you unload.
- Forward your mail at usps.com/move.
Visiting before you move
If you can, come for a day. From Dallas, take I-20 east. From Houston, it is a longer drive north. Tour two or three apartments, drive to your job at the time you would commute, and stop by the grocery store you would actually use.
Grace Pointe for a move from a big city
Grace Pointe Apartments is at 113 Magnolia Ln in north Longview, about a mile from Longview Regional Medical Center and a few minutes from the Longview Mall. The 2 bedroom, 2 bath plans are 962 and 986 square feet, from $1,295, with granite counters, stainless appliances, 9 foot ceilings, walk-in closets, a pool, gated entry and a dog park. See the floor plans or ask for a tour. Call 903-414-6336 to set up a video tour if you are still in Houston or Dallas.
Get the Longview move-in checklist
Planning a move to Longview, TX from Houston, Dallas or anywhere else? Leave your name, email and phone below and we'll send you our free Longview move-in checklist: every utility number, the Gregg County car registration steps, the driver license office, and a move-in day list. We'll also send current availability and pricing at Grace Pointe.