I think there’s some truth to the idea that the relative ranking depends on what context you’re talking about.

Pure population? Houston.

History and politics? DC to the top, Philadelphia and Boston in the mix.

Economically? The Bay Area has tech and Houston has oil and gas.

Domestic tourists and international tourists? Certainly a conversation to be had for DC, Las Vegas. Miami maybe?

What about cultural influence domestically, and abroad? Do Nashville, Atlanta, and Miami fit in somewhere?