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The 10 best cities for career opportunities don't include New York or Los Angeles

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If young workers were to get annual statements showing that 12.4 percent of their earnings went into Social Security, it could spark a visceral reaction.
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Finding a city that suits your needs professionally and personally can be difficult. Not only do you want a location that's brimming with employment opportunities, but you also want a place with manageable housing costs. 

Personal finance company SmartAsset created a list of the top 10 cities for career opportunities in 2019 — and neither New York nor Los Angeles make the cut.

Using data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Census Bureau's most recent five-year American Community Survey, SmartAsset found that a lot of smaller cities with employment growth and a relatively low cost of living presented the best opportunities for people to start and build their career.

After examining the unemployment rate, annual employment growth, median income, early-to-late career income growth potential and average yearly housing costs for rent and mortgage, Provo, Utah proved to be the top place for career opportunities in 2019. Though Provo's median annual income, $34,920, isn't that high, the average cost of living in the city is fourth from the lowest on the list, at $10,320, and the unemployment rate is at a low 2.8%.

Take a look to see what other cities round out the top 10 list of best places for career opportunities, according to SmartAsset: 

night view of Springfield Missouri
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10. Springfield, Missouri

Unemployment rate: 3.10%
Annual employment growth: 2.60%
Median income: $33,060
Income growth potential: 3.73%
Average yearly housing costs: $8,508

9. Fort Collins, Colorado

Unemployment rate: 3.10%
Annual employment growth: 2.70%
Median income: $39,240
Income growth potential: 23.53%
Average yearly housing costs: $15,168

8. Tallahassee, Florida

Unemployment rate: 3.30%
Annual employment growth: 2.30%
Median income: $35,510
Income growth potential: 52.86%
Average yearly housing costs: $11,856

The Westcott Building on the campus of Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida.
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7. Ames, Iowa

Unemployment rate: 1.40%
Annual employment growth: 0.70%
Median income: $40,350
Income growth potential: 74.11%
Average yearly housing costs: $10,956

6. Springfield, Massachusetts

Unemployment rate: 3.90%
Annual employment growth: 2.40%
Median income: $40,780
Income growth potential: 17.76%
Average yearly housing costs: $11,544

5. Boulder, Colorado

Unemployment rate: 2.90%
Annual employment growth: 3.10%
Median income: $49,090
Income growth potential: 34.73%
Average yearly housing costs: $17,436

Huntsville, Alabama
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4. Huntsville, Alabama

Unemployment rate: 3.40%
Annual employment growth: 1.80%
Median income: $39,820
Income growth potential: 47.99%
Average yearly housing costs: $9,768

3. College Station, Texas

Unemployment rate: 3%
Annual employment growth: 3.10%
Median income: $35,520
Income growth potential: 74.69%
Average yearly housing costs: $12,372

2. Logan, Utah

Unemployment rate: 2.70%
Annual employment growth: 2.60%
Median income: $31,490
Income growth potential: 34.78%
Average yearly housing costs: $8,952

1. Provo, Utah

Unemployment rate: 2.80%
Annual employment growth: 3.60%
Median income: $34,920
Income growth potential: 35.98%
Average yearly housing costs: $10,320

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