That's correct. That's why we don't use arbitrary distinctions for proper regional comparisons and why groups like the OMB spend so much time developing standar

That's correct. That's why we don't use arbitrary distinctions for proper regional comparisons and why groups like the OMB spend so much time developing standardized areas for comparison. Your comment is more revealing than even you may realize. There are an infinite number of political borders to be drawn around any "city," but changing those borders doesn't actually change anything about the reality on the ground. That's why it's important to make like-like comparisons.