First we had stone buildings. Heavy thick walls, limit in heights. Next came cast iron super structure. Better than stone yet still limiting. With the invention of the Otis elevator and steel, buildings have become virtually limitless in size and function.
Then there are the building codes, life safety codes and the pure logistics of construction.
Anyhow to answer your question, its about money, cost.
Wood construction for houses is the cheapest and easiest. The technology is proven and when properly designed and built, have good resistance to earthquakes, tornado and hurricane.
There certainly are different materials that can achieve the same results, but cost and time prohibit there use.