Jim Costello

I am a commercial real estate economist who has spent more than 30 years studying how markets evolve and what drives long-term change. As Chief Economist at MSCI Real Assets, I focus on helping people understand the connection between government economic data, private real estate markets, and the broader economy. I enjoy turning complex information into clear, practical insights that people can use to better understand market trends.

My career began with managing a team of Census workers during the 1990 Census, where I learned how important accurate data is to understanding communities. From there, I worked in local government before joining CBRE and later spending nearly two decades with Torto Wheaton Research, helping develop new ways to analyse commercial real estate markets. In 2015, I joined Real Capital Analytics, and I continued with the organisation after it became part of MSCI in 2021.

Beyond my day-to-day work, I enjoy supporting the next generation of researchers and professionals. I frequently guest lecture at universities and currently serve as President of the Real Estate Research Institute. Outside the office, I love cycling and travelling, especially when I can combine the two. Whether I am analysing market data or riding through the countryside, I am always curious about how places grow, change, and create new opportunities.