To cost less; utilize less healthcare, achieve less education, and build smaller crappier housing.

Jesting aside, of the three things you mentioned education is the one I think is the most problematic. It is much more expensive than it was, inflation adjusted, and we're not getting anything more for that money. Of course in calculus now is identical to a course in calculus in the 50s. I guess you could argue that the facilities are better now.

Housing is more expensive, but the average house size and quality is way better. Healthcare is more expensive, but the things we can do with healthcare are insanely better too. So for those two, it makes sense that they are more expensive