If you want to make it big in cancer research you have your choice of Boston, Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Minneapolis, etc. If you want to make it big in medical devices, you can add San Diego (and others) to the list. If you are an exceptional musician, you need to put Philadelphia on your list. Austin, Seattle, Research Triangle, Northern Virginia- there are hubs of innovation and creativity going on all over the country- and truly talented and superior thinkers living and working in all sorts of places.
Etc. It’s very limited (and limiting) to assume that all ambitious and talented people are targeting the same 30 jobs.