I have a new detached two car garage and will be/have a new power supply/meter for it. What I want to know is: can I place the electric meter on the outside of the building and the breaker box on the inside of the building or do they both have to be on the outside of the building (in one unit)?

This all depends on the local building code in your area. Ask you building inspector what he will allow. In most all cases the meter is outside and the panel inside. The meter is not something you will set, the power company owns the meter and will install it where they want, most frequently next to the side access door if there is one.

The meter location will be decided by the utility, and I an positive it will need to be located outdoors.

The panel location can be up to you, either outdoor or indoor.

If the panel is directly inside behind the meter, no service disconnect switch will need to be at the meter, and use 3 wire feeder between both.

If the panel is more than a few feet from the meter, then there will need to be a service disconnect switch at the meter to protect the feeder from the meter to the panel, and use 4 wire feeder between both.

You can discuss all of this with your local inspector.

As noted above, all meters are owned by the utility company. They are almost always outside. In GA, you must have a main disconnect outside the building. This allows emergency personnel to shut off the power before entering the building. Some older houses have the breaker distrribution panel outside but I don't like the idea od water from rain and 240VAC. Talk to your local utility and permitting office.