I don't get this at all. You don't want Phoenix compared to the I.E or San Jose, but you want it compared to LA???
Many people think the IE is like Phoenix or Vegas.
Again, Phoenix and LA didnt develop the same way. Pre 1950, downtown LA was the center of the metro, and thriving. It had the biggest street car network in the world and one the of the biggest metros in the country.
These other sunbelt towns didn't have this.
It's just weird to me that you're trying to lump LA into this, when Dallas, Houston are more comparable here.