If you ride bikes with 630mm, 622 rims and with 559 rims and they all have a 60 inch gear they will all travel 60 inches for one revolution. That 60 inch gear will require different tooth numbers/combinations of sprockets and chain rings to get the 60 inch gear but allowing for that, you still travel 60 inches, regardless.
The only difference is a smaller lighter wheel accelerates faster and slows down faster and a larger heavier wheel accelerates slower and decelerates slower also. For rough road surfaces a wider, softer, larger diameter wheel, tends to roll easier, losing less speed to road vibration. The smaller narrower wheel however has less wind resistance but that only applies at higher speeds, in practical terms. Big, wide and soft tires are great for comfort and flat resistance and that makes your wheels last longer and improves comfort. For all the speed gains you might get using narrow, high pressure, speed wheels you might find yourself on the side of the road repairing flats more often thereby losing any gains. The other effect of skinny and hard tires/wheels is your body & bike gets beat up. There is a trade off either way and when you are talking variable road surfaces the large fat tire gets the nod in my opinion. Its hard to beat 26 inch wheels since they are abundant in good quality wheel sets and quite inexpensive. Good commuter tires for them are everywhere. 700c/29 er wheels/tires are not scare either but somewhat more expensive for good 32 and 36 spoke sensible ones. 20 inch folder bikes have a lot going for them and are quite versatile and convenient. Keep in mind that commuting is not racing and nothing from a racing perspective applies unless you have a pace car following you to work every day.