We're in the NW burbs of Chicago. We tore down a small ranch, no basement, demo was $7000, not including tree removal. HTH!

It not only depends on the location but the size of the house, type of superstructure, foundation type and disposal ordinances.

I think most municipalities have tightened the rules since we did this ten years ago. At that time the city charged a lesser fee to 'remodel', since we left the foundation and a chimney. (We added crawls off the original basement.) Interestingly, because we were 'remodeling', we never lost occupancy rights! lol

A house can come down in an afternoon. Digging out a foundation would take more time. One cost variable depends on how far the site is from a dump to dispose of the rubble.

Our teardown costs were a nit, compared to the build costs. We saved on landscaping, 'inheriting' mature trees, shrubs and a goodly portion of perimeter lawn -- and we are in the established neighborhood we *coveted*!

our tear down for a small bungelow on a slap was 4500 in NJ