Dominican here, long time Michigan resident and have lived in different areas.
Detroit, Flint and a few other towns = way more dangerous than any Dominican town I can think of. Although the worst parts of Detroit are probably comparable to the worst parts of Santo Domingo.
Michigan in general is very safe. Small towns such as where I live see very little crime and I could do things here I would never dream of doing in The DR such as leaving my doors unlocked all the time (even when no one is home). My kids leave expensive electronics in the front seat of the cars for everyone to see and sometimes even with the doors unlocked or the windows rolled down and so far no issues. My house in The DR was broken into twice (a few years back and I wasn't there at either times). The only time I've had anything happen to me in The US was some years back I left a walkman (yes it's been SOME years) visible in my parked car in Detroit, went to work and when I returned my window had been smashed with a brick to take it.
Bottom line I feel more aware of petty crimes and home invasions in The DR, but more so of potential muggings, violent crime in cities like Detroit, Flint, Saginaw, etc.