Something to factor in though is cost of living. In a concentrated area condensed to a few hundred square miles, it's a bit harder to say that costs can be spread thinner across more areas where real estate and land don't comparatively much cheaper, or more available. NY States' budget is roughly $200 billion, double NYC's but for the whole state. Makes sense given that there is way more land, and thus not as expensive for a dollar to serve a person whose relative needs and subsidy with tax dollars are cheaper to effect.