The invention discloses a fatty alcohol-polyoxyethylene ether propionate surfactant and a preparation method thereof and an application thereof to tertiary recovery. In a specific scheme, a novel anionic surfactant is synthesized by performing addition and saponification reactions on alcohol ether, methyl acrylate and sodium hydroxide serving as major raw materials. The method has the advantages of simple process, no need of special equipment, low raw material cost, wide source, stable product performance, environment friendliness and economic efficiency. The fatty alcohol-polyoxyethylene ether propionate surfactant is completely different from the conventional nonionic and anionic surfactants for displacement of reservoir oil, and high surface activity, thermal stability, salt resistance, compatability and biodegradability are achieved by embedding an ethoxy group into an anionic surfactant long alkyl chain. After fatty alcohol-polyoxyethylene ether propionate is compounded with other surfactants, a very good synergistic effect is achieved, and ultralow interface tension can be formed on a water-crude oil interface. Moreover, the surfactant is a salt-resistant, temperature-resistant and alkali-free surfactant for displacement of reservoir oil.