The invention belongs to the technical field of biomass energy utilization, and particularly relates to a red mud-based catalyst for synthesizing low-carbon alcohol as well as preparation and application of the red mud-based catalyst. The catalyst takes red mud as a carrier, an active component is Cu, and an auxiliary agent is one or more of Rh, Mo, Zr, La, Ce, Mn, Co and Cr. The mass content of the active component in the catalyst is 10-80%, the mass content of the auxiliary agent is 10-50%, and the balance is the carrier. The catalyst is prepared by taking the red mud as the carrier and is applied to the reaction for preparing the low-carbon alcohol from the biomass synthesis gas, so that the utilization rate of biomass resources is increased, the problems of high catalyst cost, low CO conversion rate and low C2 + alcohol selectivity in the reaction for preparing the low-carbon alcohol from the synthesis gas in the prior art are solved, and the catalyst has industrial application potential.