Even though concrete is inexpensive, it is still significantly more expensive than wood in the United States, and masonry brick is even more so. Wood is a simple material to deal with. It's more forgiving than concrete or masonry, and putting up a wood-framed wall is quicker and faster, all of which equals a more economical dwelling. The main reason why American houses are built so cheaply is because the government subsidies for home ownership provide an incentive for builders to use cheap materials. Concrete is used largely because it's easy to work with and doesn't need any special treatment before it sets. Masonry bricks are used because they're cheaper than other types of building materials, and they don't require as much effort to install on the site. The government subsidies that I mentioned earlier are called "Federal Housing Administration" or FHA loans. These are mortgage loans provided by federal agencies such as the Department of Housing and Urban Development or HUD. The idea behind these loans is to allow people to be able to afford homes who otherwise could not due to cost. For example, if you make $50,000 a year and want to be able to afford a 20% down payment on a house, an FHA loan would be appropriate for you. The benefit for you as a borrower is that the government will guarantee that if you default on your loan, the bank cannot repossess your house.