It is really, really hard to compare metro areas without actually having lived there.

Tourist areas are always by definition in nicer parts of the city because the tourists pay for it.

And if you have enough money most cities have nice parts. But how does the “average” working stiff live?

It definitely is difficult, thank you. It also seems to me to be of limited value unless you’re specifically trying to measure the effect of different policies. Let’s just do what we can to improve air quality everywhere. We know diesel bans work, we know EVs work, we know congestion pricing works. Let’s just do it - especially for our kids. Doesn’t seem particularly controversial to me.