The present invention relates to a display device which can provide optimal luminance and visibility to viewers by considering a viewing environment, a viewing distance and image characteristics in an associated manner and a method for driving the same. The method for driving a display device includes: determining final luminance by applying sensed results of ambient illumination, ambient temperature and a viewing distance from a user in an associated manner; adjusting luminance of the display device according to the determined final luminance; and calculating a weighted average picture level (WAPL) from an input image, calculating a differential gain per gray level according to the calculated WAPL, correcting the input image by applying the calculated differential gain per gray level to the input image and outputting the corrected input image.