Analyzing markets based on MSA or City or County

[Andrew Lawrence]

Which is the most accurate in determining how well a target market is doing economically as far as number of jobs and job growth is concerned? Does looking at MSA numbers or county numbers or city numbers reflect a better picture? 

(if it helps specify my question I would consider purchasing outside of the target primary market of the big metro areas and rather look at surrounding areas as it seems the purchase price to cash flow ratio is higher just outside of the big metro areas).