one problem:
metro city = final fight
new york city = streets of rage
Thing is, they never specified that both games had different cities. So it's really not a problem here.
You see, Final Fight's Metro City, was based off New York City. it's clearly evident, in the Bayside area, when you fight Abagail.
Whereas in Streets of Rage, Sega tried to not make it a conflict with Capcom, and not add in the Statue of Liberty. But, still called it, Metro City. Since both games, happen in two different universes, considering both games, were mere years apart.
Streets of Rage, is also represent of Oak City. Though the style of it, is derived of NYC. This is most noticable, between SoR & SoR2. in SoR, it took a more Oak City direction, and in SoR 2, it took a more NYC direction. Still, without causing conflict. Sega only went with what fitted the most.
So, as far as I'm concerned, Metro City & NYC, are the same thing. Except that one has the Statue of Liberty, and one doesn't. Again, applying to different universes. And for the fact that one tried it's best, to not copy the other. Not just by story, but gameplay as well.
It pays to do a bit more research
Trust me, I'm not new to either game, and have played both long enough, to know the differences. I'm old school for a reason.
D-Day