[ThePhun1]

The problem is the Census uses counties to add up MSA's and CSA's, which leads to misleading stats and combinations. It also means some metros are not rightfully combined (San Francisco and San Jose for example) and even creates so called metros/MSA's that don't even exist (like San Bernardino/Riverside, suburban outgrowth of LA). Meanwhile, in one of those counties, the High Desert area is legitimately it's own thing, with little influence from LA aside from the media. Needles might as well be a Vegas suburb.

Often times, TV/Nielsen markets and Urban Areas, while not perfect, give additional context clues as to how prominent a place is. Boston smells like roses in both cases.