My point is in order to get a better sense of these metrics, you still need to define these places geographically.

If by NYC you mean tourist locations only, then you're going to see some skewed prices.

e.g. here in Tokyo, if I stayed out near Kita-senju, I wouldn't expect to pay as much as I do in Azabu for stuff. And yet, there are tourists who stay in both, for various reasons.